Maria Antonia of Spain
| Maria Antonia of Spain | |
|---|---|
| |
| Queen Maria Antonia by Vittorio Amadeo Grassi. | |
| Consort | 20 February 1773 - 19 September 1785 |
| Born | 17 November 1729 Royal Alcázar, Seville, Spain |
| Died | 19 September 1785 (aged 55) Royal Castle, Moncalieri, |
| Spouse | Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy (m 31 May 1750) |
| Issue | Charles Emmanuel IV, King of Sardinia Marie Joséphine, Countess of Provence Maria Teresa, Countess of Artois Maria Anna, Duchess of Chablais Victor Emmanuel I, King of Sardinia Maurizio, Duke of Montferrat Maria Carolina, Electoral Princess of Saxony Charles Felix, King of Sardinia Prince Giuseppe, Count of Asti |
| Full name | |
| María Antonia Fernanda de Borbón y Farnesio | |
| Father | Philip V of Spain |
| Mother | Elisabeth Farnese |
| Burial | Royal Basilica, Turin |
| Signature | 
|
Maria Antonia of Spain (María Antonia Fernanda; 17 November 1729 – 19 September 1785) was an Infanta of Spain and the youngest daughter of Philip V of Spain and Elisabeth Farnese. Her older brothers included Louis I of Spain, Ferdinand VI of Spain and Charles III of Spain. Her great niece Princess Maria Antonia of Parma was named in her honour.
Infanta of Spain[edit]
Infanta Maria Antonia of Spain was born in Seville the youngest daughter of King Philip V of Spain and of his second consort the domineering Elisabeth Farnese. Named Maria Antonia, she was also given the name Fernanda in honour of her elder half brother, then the heir to the throne Infante Fernando, Prince of Asturias. She spent her childhood in the city of Seville before moving to Madrid in 1733.
Duchess of Savoy[edit]
On 31 May 1750 at Oulx, the Infanta Maria Antonia married Victor Amadeus of Savoy, (styled the "Duke of Savoy"). He was the son of King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia and his last wife Polyxena of Hesse-Rotenburg. After marriage she was styled Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Savoy. In honour of their marriage, the Royal Palace of Turin was remodelled and extended by architect Benedetto Alfieri. Her dowry included 3.5 million Piedmontese lire , as well as Spanish possessions in the neighbouring Duchy of Milan. Maria Antonia was not popular with the Savoyard court which regarded her as cold, stern and overly religious and too shy. Despite the court's view of the duchess, she and her husband enjoyed a happy marriage which produced 12 children. The couple surrounded themselves with political thinkers and enjoyed learning about the enlightenment, though she was further criticised for importing strict court etiquette to Savoy from her native Spain.
Issue[edit]
- Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia (24 May 1751 – 6 October 1819) married Marie Clotilde of France but had no issue.
- Maria Elisabetta Carlotta of Savoy (16 July 1752 – 17 April 1755) died in infancy.
- Marie Joséphine of Savoy (2 September 1753 – 13 November 1810) married Louis of France, Count of Provence but had no issue.
- Amedeus Alessanfdro of Savoy (5 October 1754 – 29 April 1755) died in infancy.
- Princess Maria Teresa of Savoy (31 January 1756 – 2 June 1805) married Charles of France, Count of Artois and had issue.
- Princess Maria Anna of Savoy (17 December 1757 – 11 October 1824) married Prince Benedetto of Savoy, Duke of Chablais but had no issue.
- Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia (24 July 1759 – 10 January 1824) married Maria Theresa of Austria-Este and had issue.
- Maria Cristina Ferdinanda of Savoy (21 November 1760 – 19 May 1768) died in infancy.
- Maurizio of Savoy, Duke of Montferrat (13 December 1762 – 1 September 1799) never married before he died from malaria.
- Princess Maria Carolina of Savoy (17 January 1764 – 28 December 1782) married Anton, Electoral Prince of Saxony but had no issue.
- Charles Felix of Sardinia (6 April 1765 – 27 April 1831) married Princess Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily but had no issue.
- Prince Giuseppe of Savoy, Count of Asti (5 October 1766 – 29 October 1802) never married before he died from malaria.
Queen of Sardinia[edit]
In February 1773, her father-in-law King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia died, so her husband succeeded as King Victor Amadeus III. Although she was queen consort of Sardinia, for twelve years,her tenure as queen consort is one of the longest of the queens of Sardinia. Maria Antonia died at the Royal Castle of Moncalieri, near Turin. Queen Maria Antonia was buried in the Basilica of Superga overlooking Turin.
Titles and styles[edit]
- 17 November 1729 – 31 May 1750 Her Royal Highness The Infanta Doña Maria Antonia of Spain.
- 31 May 1750 – 20 February 1773 Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Savoy.
- 20 February 1773 – 19 September 1785 Her Majesty The Queen.