Background
Maria Cristina"s ancestors in three generations.
Maria Cristina"s ancestors in three generations.
Maria Cristina was one of eleven children born to Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain and Princess Luisa Carlotta of Bourbon-Two Sicilies in Madrid. Her mother was a daughter of Francis I of the Two Sicilies. Maria Cristina was a sister of Francis, Duke of Cádiz, the king-consort of Isabella II of Spain, and Amelia Philippina, Princess of Bavaria.
After the overthrow of the monarchy in 1868, Maria Cristina and her family had to leave Spain and take refuge in France.
Sebastian died there in 1875. Maria Cristina later returned to Spain, and was able to live calmly until her 1902 death in Madrid.
She is buried at the San Lorenzo de El Escorial.