18.1) Queen of Spain: Mercedes of Orleans, 1878

The history of the Queens of Spain is just as fascinating as that of their male counterparts, as they often played key roles in the unification, diplomacy, and leadership of the nation. From the beginning of the Spanish monarchy, queens held great influence, sometimes as consorts, sometimes as regents, and in some cases, as monarchs in their own right.
Queen of Spain
Mercedes of Orléans, 1878
House of Bourbon-Anjou
Mercedes of Orléans, born June 24, 1860, was a Spanish princess, a member of the Orléans family, and the first wife of King Alfonso XII. Her marriage to Alfonso XII in 1878 was a landmark event in Spain, but their union was tragically cut short by Mercedes' untimely death just months after their wedding.
Summary of Mercedes of Orléans in 1878:
Family Origins and Royal Marriage:
Mercedes of Orléans, born María de las Mercedes de Borbón y Orléans, was the daughter of the Duke of Montpensier, Antoine d'Orléans, and the Infanta Luisa Fernanda, sister of Queen Isabella II of Spain. She was therefore both a cousin and close relative of Alfonso XII.
In January 1878, at the age of 17, she married Alfonso XII, King of Spain, in a marriage that united the Bourbon and Orléans branches. Their marriage was a truly national event in Spain, celebrated with great pomp in Madrid. Mercedes was much loved by the Spanish people, due to her youth, her beauty and her gentle and caring attitude. Her union with Alfonso XII represented a moment of hope and renewal for the Spanish monarchy.
Illness and Early Death:
However, just a few months after their marriage, Queen Mercedes fell seriously ill. She contracted typhoid, a very common infectious disease at the time. Despite the care provided, she tragically passed away on June 26, 1878, just six months after her marriage and two days after her 18th birthday. Her sudden death caused deep sorrow for Alfonso XII, as well as for the Spanish people, who had already adopted her as a popular and beloved queen.
Legacy and Posterity:
Although her reign as queen consort was extremely brief, Mercedes has remained in the Spanish collective memory as a figure of grace and tragedy. Her untimely death inspired many cultural works, including popular songs and legends in Spain. King Alfonso XII, deeply affected by her death, kept a lasting memory of his first wife.
After Mercedes' death, Alfonso XII remarried in 1879 to Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria, with whom he had several children, including Alfonso XIII, who would become King of Spain.
Conclusion:
Mercedes of Orléans is best known for her short life as Queen Consort of Spain in 1878, the year she married Alfonso XII before tragically dying shortly after. Her untimely death left a lasting mark on Spanish history, marking the end of a period of romanticism surrounding the royal couple. She is remembered in Spain as a beloved queen and a tragic figure in the country's history.