Maria Cristina of Savoy’s Beatification

Maria Cristina of Savoy, Queen Consort of the Two-Sicilies was beatified at the Basilica of Santa Chiara in Naples, Italy on 25 January. Queen Maria Cristina was declared a Servant of God in 1872 and in 1937, she was declared a Venerable Servant of God. In 2013, Pope Francis authorised a decree recognising a miracle due to her intercession. A dinner (which was hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Castro) was later held.

Those present were: Princess Anne of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the Duchess of Calabria, the Duke and Duchess of Noto, the Duke of Capua, the Duke and Duchess of Castro, their daughters Princesses Maria Carolina and Maria Chiara, Prince Casimiro and Princess Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, their sons Princes Luis and Alessandro, Princesses Beatrice and Anna of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Archduke Simeon and Archduchess Maria of Austria, the Duke and Duchess of Savoy (Amadeo and Silvia), Princess Maria Gabriela of Savoy, Archduke Martin of Austria-Este, Prince Serge of Yugoslavia, the Duke of Braganza, Countess Maria Beatrix von und zu Arco-Zinneberg, her daughter Countess Margherita and Prince Manfred of Windisch-Graetz.

Maria Cristina of Savoy was born on 14 November 1812 and was the youngest daughter of Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia and his wife, Archduchess Maria Teresa of Austria-Este. Her full name was Maria Cristina Carlotta Giuseppina Gaetana Elisa di Savoia. On 21 November 1832, Maria Christina married Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies. As a result, she became Queen Consort of the Two Sicilies. The Queen was described as “beautiful but also shy and timid, and also modest and reserved”. She wasn’t comfortable with the surroundings of the Royal Court of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and her marriage to Ferdinand wasn’t a happy one, and he had “little patience” for her modesty. However, the couple did have a son, Francis (who was born on 16 January 1836 and became the next King).

Filed under Historical Royals, Italy
Tagged Biography, House of Savoy, Maria Cristina of Savoy, Religion, Two Sicilies.

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