Country | Mexico |
---|---|
Titles | Emperor of Mexico |
Founder | Agustín I of Mexico |
Current head | Maximilian von Götzen-Itúrbide |
Founding | 1822 |
Deposition | 1823 |
Cadet branches | House of Habsburg-Iturbide |
The House of Iturbide is the former Imperial House of Mexico. It was founded by Agustín de Iturbide in 1822 when the newly independent Mexican congress confirmed his title of Agustín I, Constitutional Emperor of Mexico.[1][2][3][4] He was baptized with the names of Saints Cosmas and Damian at the cathedral there.[5][6]
After Mexico was declared and recognized as an independent state, Iturbide was backed and influenced by Mexico's conservadores who favored an independent Mexico with a monarch from one of the European royal families as head of state. When no European royals accepted Mexico's offer (as Spain still had hopes of taking Mexico back), Iturbide was persuaded by his advisers to be named Emperor in the manner of Napoleon I. The former House of Iturbide still continues today as House of Habsburg-Iturbide after the adoptive sons of Maximilian I of Mexico. The former House of Iturbide and the House of Habsburg-Iturbide holds no recognition from the Mexican government, nor does it serve in protocolary events.[7][8][9]
On 11 May 1823, the ex-emperor boarded the English ship Rawlins, en route to Livorno, Italy (then part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany,[3] accompanied by his wife, children and some servants. There he rented a small country house and began to write his memoirs. However, Spain pressured Tuscany to expel Iturbide, which it did, and the Iturbide family moved to England.[1] Here, he published his autobiography “Statement of Some of the Principal Events in the Public Life of Agustín de Iturbide” When he was exiled, Iturbide was given a government pension, but Congress also declared him a traitor and “outside of the law,” to be killed if he ever returned to Mexico. Whether he was aware of this second part is in dispute.[3][6][8][10]
After his departure, the situation in Mexico continued to worsen. Reports of a probable Spanish attempt to retake Mexico reached Iturbide in England.[6] He continued to receive reports from Mexico as well as advice from supporters that if he returned he would be hailed as a liberator and a potential leader against the Spanish invasion.[6] Iturbide sent word to congress in Mexico City on 13 February 1824 offering his services in the event of Spanish attack. Congress never replied.[10] More conservative political factions in Mexico finally convinced Iturbide to return. ”[4]
Children of Agustín de Iturbide[1]
— IMPERIAL HOUSE —
House of Iturbide
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First Empire declared | Ruling House of Mexico 21 July 1822 – 19 March 1823 |
Vacant
Next held by: House of Habsburg-Iturbide |