Most children in a short time

[Meraude]

Which royal ladies have given birth to several children born within a short period of time? The Swedish queen Josefina of Leuchtenberg, married to Oscar I, had five children between May 1826 and August 1831, that is gave birth to five childen in 63 months, all survived.

[MAfan]

The first one who comes to my mind is Holy Roman Empress Maria Luisa (1745-1792), wife of Emperor Leopold II; they married in 1765, and in 8 years between 1767 and 1774 they became parents of 8 children, one for each year.
They had a total of 16 children born between 1767 and 1788.

[nascarlucy]

I can't think of any royal in modern times (second half of the 20th century) or now whose had 5 to 6 children within a short period (6 to 8 years for example). If they do have 5 or 6 children, they seemed to be spread apart. Having that many children at such a short time is very hard on a woman's body. I knew one woman who was pregnant 8 times in 10 years (she had 6 children and 2 miscarriages). She said it took a toll on her body.

[Biri]

And I remember one: it's Princess Diane of Wurtemberg, nee d'Orleans. She had her five children between 1 June 1961 (first child, Friedrich was born then) and 1 December 1965 (birth of her fifth child Michael); only last one Fleur came to the world after a big break. (4 November 1977).

And first wife of Duke Robert I of Parma, (Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Siccillies) - tragedy!
She gave birth early year! 12 times!
It had to ruin her health and contribute to her untimely death. Her organism simply didn't endure...

[prudence12]

she's really prolific. Very good for a kingdom to flourish.

[Meraude]

When speaking about prolific, queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of king George III of the United Kingdom, gave birth to 15 surviving childen in 21 years.

[PrincessKaimi]

I don't see much relationship between how many children a royal woman has and the overall flourishing of a kingdom.

[ilovemonaco]

Maria Theresa...

[Rice]

Queen paola had 3 in 3.5 years

[Daphoenyx]

Originally Posted by PrincessKaimi

I don't see much relationship between how many children a royal woman has and the overall flourishing of a kingdom.

I totally agree with you!

[BrazilianEmpire]

Empress Leopoldina of Brazil had seven children between April 4, 1819, and December 2, 1825. Seven children in six years and a half.

Empress Teresa Cristina of Brazil had four children between February 23, 1845, and July 19, 1848. Four children in three years and a half.

Princess Leopoldina of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (neé Princess of Brazil) had four sons between May 19, 1866, and September 15, 1870. Four sons in four years and a half.

Princess Maria Elizabeth of Brazil had twelve children between June 6, 1938, and July 14, 1959. Twelve children in 21 years (the last pregnancy was with twins).

[Nice Nofret]

Poor things .... very sad indeed.

[BrazilianEmpire]

Originally Posted by Nice Nofret

Poor things .... very sad indeed.

What's very sad?

[Nice Nofret]

That this poor women had to have so many children in such a short time - very unhealthy for the mother.

[BrazilianEmpire]

Originally Posted by Nice Nofret

That this poor women had to have so many children in such a short time - very unhealthy for the mother.

Well, that was very common by that time.

Even in first half and early second half of the XX century, Brazilian women tended to have lots of children in a short period of time.

My father is one of eight children, born between 1953 and 1964.

[Iluvbertie]

Queen Victoria, we all know, had 9 children but the first 4 were certainly born quickly - 3 years and 9 months from Vicky to Alfie.

21st November, 1840 - Victoria and Alfred #4 born 6th August, 1844

My sister-in-law's mother in the 1950s and 1960s had 8 in 13 years and she is doing very well turning 80 next month.

[BrazilianEmpire]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

Queen Victoria, we all know, had 9 children but the first 4 were certainly born quickly - 3 years and 9 months from Vicky to Alfie.

21st November, 1840 - Victoria and Alfred #4 born 6th August, 1844

My sister-in-law's mother in the 1950s and 1960s had 8 in 13 years and she is doing very well turning 80 next month.

Just like my grandmother, who had eight children in 11 years. Granny will turn 88 in August.

[sarahedwards2]

Originally Posted by BrazilianEmpire

Just like my grandmother, who has eight children in 11 years. Granny will turn 88 in August.

My maternal grandmother was born in October 1917 as the youngest of four; the first one was born in 1913. As for my dad's side, his mom was born in December of 1922 and was the 9th of 11 (7 girls and 4 boys); her oldest sister was 15 when she was born. My grandma's younger sister was born in 1924 and her brother in 1925. She was very close to her sister; they got married, had their kids and even died around the same time as each other.

[Lady Kathleen]

Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Princess Margarete of Prussia, had four children in three years (two were twins). She had a second set of twins later on.

Empress Zita of Austria had eight children in less than ten years. Her husband died before the youngest child was born.

[BrazilianEmpire]

Originally Posted by Lady Kathleen

Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Princess Margarete of Prussia, had four children in three years (two were twins). She had a second set of twins later on.

Empress Zita of Austria had eight children in less than ten years. Her husband died before the youngest child was born.

And all these ladies lived long.