Maria Cristina of Savoy
| Maria Cristina of Savoy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Queen of the Two Sicilies | |||||
| Consort | 21 November 1832 – 31 January 1836 | ||||
| Born |
14 November 1812 Cagliari, Kingdom of Sardinia | ||||
| Died |
21 January 1836 (aged 23) Naples, Kingdom of Two Sicilies | ||||
| Burial | Basilica of Santa Chiara, Naples | ||||
| Spouse | Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies | ||||
| Issue | Francis II of the Two Sicilies | ||||
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| House |
House of Savoy (by birth) House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (by marriage) | ||||
| Father | Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia | ||||
| Mother | Maria Teresa of Austria-Este | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | ||||
Maria Cristina of Savoy (Maria Cristina Carlotta Giuseppa Gaetana Efisia; 14 November 1812 – 21 January 1836) was the first Queen consort of Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies. She died as a result of childbirth.
Family
Maria Cristina was the youngest daughter of King Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia and Archduchess Maria Teresa of Austria-Este.
Her maternal grandparents were Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Este and Maria Beatrice Ricciarda d'Este. Ferdinand was the fourteenth child and third son born to Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and Maria Theresa of Austria. Maria Beatrice was the eldest daughter of Ercole III d'Este and Maria Teresa Cybo-Malaspina, Duchess of Massa and Princess of Carrara.
Marriage
On 21 November 1832, Maria Cristina married Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies. The bride was twenty years old and the groom twenty-two.
Maria Cristina was described as beautiful but also timid and shy: modest and reserved, she was never comfortable at the royal court. Her relationship to Ferdinand was not happy, and he had little patience for her nervous modesty.
She died at the age of 23, after having given birth 5 days before to her only child:
- Francis II of the Two Sicilies (16 January 1836 – 27 December 1894).
Beatification
| Blessed Maria Cristina of Savoy | |
|---|---|
 Tomb of Blessed Maria Cristina in Santa Chiara (Naples) | |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 25 January 2014, Naples, Italy by Pope Francis |
| Feast | 21 January |
On 10 July 1872 she was declared to be a Servant of God, on 6 May 1937 a Venerable Servant of God, and on 3 May 2013 Pope Francis authorised a decree recognising a miracle due to her intercession, a further stage on her process to beatification.[1] Her beatification took place on 25 January 2014 at the Basilica of Santa Chiara, where she is buried, making her Blessed Maria Cristina of Savoy.
Ancestry
Titles, styles, honours and arms
Titles and styles
- 14 November 1812 – 21 November 1832: Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Cristina of Savoy, Princess of Sardinia
- 21 November 1832 – 21 January 1836: Her Majesty The Queen of the Two Sicilies
Posthumously:
- 10 July 1872 – 6 May 1937: Servant of God Maria Cristina of Savoy, Queen of the Two Sicilies
- 6 May 1937 – 25 January 2014: Venerable Servant of God Maria Cristina of Savoy, Queen of the Two Sicilies
- 25 January 2014 – present: Blessed Maria Cristina of Savoy, Queen of the Two Sicilies
References
- ↑ Vatican Information Press release accessed 3 May 2013.
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