Isabel II's Court: Key Figures of 19th Century Spain

Isabel II of Spain: Reign and Personal Life (1830–1904)

During the early years of her reign, while Isabel was a girl, the regency was assumed by her mother, María Cristina, until Isabel was declared of age in 1843. In 1846, when she was 16 years old, the government arranged a marriage with her cousin, the Infante Don Francisco de Borbón, Duke of Cádiz.

Isabel II reportedly disliked her husband. She was associated with various relationships, which some authors attribute to her bisexuality. In the course of their marriage, the Queen gave birth to several children, including:

• Fernando de Borbón y Borbón
• Isabel de Borbón y Borbón (La Chata)
• María Cristina
• Alfonso (later Alfonso XII)
• María Pilar
• María de la Paz
• Francisco
• María Eulalia

Isabel II died in exile in France.

Francisco de Asís: The Royal Consort

The selection of Francisco de Asís as Isabel II's husband was subject to intense political maneuvering. The requirement was that the Queen's husband should hold aristocratic rank but have no options to inherit another European throne. The Queen was opposed to this union, as despite his youth, she was aware of her cousin's rumored homosexuality.

In any case, according to the biography by Pabón de Narváez, the King Consort was the father of several illegitimate children and had several known lovers. The relationship between Francisco de Asís de Borbón and Isabel II was marked by occasional disagreement, compounded by constant intrigues, schemes, plots, and a series of tricks whose sole priority was to separate the royal couple.

Fernando Muñoz: Duke of Riansares

Fernando Muñoz was the second husband of the Queen Regent, María Cristina de Borbón (Isabel II's mother). Due to the secrecy of their first wedding (which took place in 1833), their union was officially concluded with the expressed consent of Queen Isabel II on October 12, 1844.

In June 1844, Muñoz was appointed Grandee of Spain and was conferred the title of Duchy of Riansares. The day after the official wedding, he was appointed Lieutenant General and Senator for life. His stepdaughter, Queen Isabel II, awarded him the Order of the Golden Fleece. Later, he acquired the title of Marquis of St. Augustine. While in exile in France with María Cristina, Louis-Philippe of France named him Duke of Montmorot and granted him the Legion of Honor.

Ramón María Narváez: Military and Politician (1799–1868)

Ramón María Narváez was a Spanish military officer and politician. During the Constitutional Triennium (1820–1823), he sided with the liberals and played a prominent role in the fight against the absolutist revolt of the Royal Guard of Madrid. This forced him to retire from the Army when the invasion of the "Hundred Thousand Sons of St. Louis" reinstated Ferdinand VII as an absolute king.

Ten years after the King's death, Narváez rejoined the army and defended the cause of liberalism and the throne of Isabel II in the First Carlist War. He rose rapidly due to successes on the northern fronts, but his personal rivalry with Espartero also festered, generating a political confrontation starting in 1838.

He stayed away from politics during the Progressive Biennium (1854–1856). After the fall of Espartero, he returned, restoring a system of rotation with a centrist party vocation, known as the Liberal Union (led by O'Donnell).