European Kingdoms

Kingdom of Spain

Spain had effectively been reunited under Ferdinand II of Aragon, especially after the death of his wife, Isabella the queen regnant of Castile. However, it was under the Habsburg Charles I, the young son of Joanna of Castile and Ferdinand's grandson, that it clearly became a single, united kingdom of Spain. Castile, Navarre & Aragon (as well as Sicily) were permanently joined upon his accession. With Charles came the infant imperial territories in the Americas which were initially governed from Hispaniola. With Charles also came dominion over the Holy Roman empire in 1519 and extensive territories in western, eastern and southern Europe.

Habsburg Dynasty
AD 1516 - 1700

Spain reached the zenith of its influence and power under the monarchy of this new, united Spain. It was considered to be continuous with the previously established regional kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, Leon, and Navarre, and the even more ancient Asturias & Galicia, and so the numbering of kings was continued from all of them. At this time, Sardinia was also firmly a Spanish possession.

1516 - 1556

Carlos / Charles I of Habsburg

Became Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1519. Died 1558.

1519 - 1535

Following Cortes' landing in Hispaniola in the Americas in 1519, Spain's annexation and occupation of native states creates the beginnings of a vast empire which they initially rule from the viceroyalty of New Spain. To avoid the risk of an adventurous conquistador forming his own breakaway kingdom in the conquered territories, Charles creates the Council of the Indies in 1524.

1527 - 1542

Papal Rome is sacked by an Imperial / Spanish army in 1527, and in the New World, Charles forms the beginnings of the captaincy general of Guatemala to manage territories captured to the south of New Spain. Reforms to the administration follow in 1542 with the creation of a new viceroyalty to govern the captured Inca territories of Peru in South America.

The Habsburg army sacked Rome in 1527, painted by Johannes Lingelbach

1535 - 1541

The military ventures of Charles against the Hafsids of Ifriqiyya and the Zayyanids of western Algiers (1535 and 1541 respectively) are failures. Subsequently, he is forced to defend Spanish territories in the Mediterranean from raids by the piratical Barbary Corsairs. Part of this effort means that the Sardinian coast is fortified with a chain of defensive lookout towers.

1546

Despite the support of the Ottoman sultan for Khayr al-Din Barbarossa and his exploits in securing Algiers, it is only now that his son, Hasan Pasha, becomes the first official governor of the regency to be appointed by Constantinople. Algiers is now the main base for the ongoing Ottoman war against Spain in the Mediterranean and for operations against Morocco.

1556

Upon the death of Charles I, his vast single dominion is divided between his son and his brother. His son, Philip, gains the throne of Spain, and the holdings in the Netherlands, while his younger brother, Ferdinand, receives Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary. Younger members of the royal house are also confirmed as dukes of Carinthia and counts of Tyrol, both following Ferdinand's death in 1564.

1556 - 1598

Philip II

Son. Philip I of Portugal. Count of Netherlands. Duke of Milan.

1558

The Spanish launch their expedition against Algiers in an attempt to recapture the city of Mostaganem, the port which they had first taken from the Zayyanids in 1506 but which had been lost to Algiers in 1516. After massing at Oran, the Spanish begin their assault on Mostaganem only to be repulsed. Then they hear that Hasan Pasha is returning from his Moroccan expedition and are panicked into retreating. The defeat ends attempts to form a grand alliance between Spain and Morocco against the Ottomans.

1559

The Italian War of 1551-1559 ends with the signing of the Peace of Cateau Cambrésis between England, France and Spain. Emmanuel Philibert regains his duchy of Piedmont and Savoy in full as part of the war's ending and he departs his post in the Spanish Netherlands to take up his duties. Corsica is restored to Genoa, while Spain is confirmed in its direct control of Milan, Naples, Presidi, Sardinia, and Sicily.

1571

A great naval victory at Lepanto is gained when Venice, the Pope and Spain defeat the Ottoman Turks.

1580 - 1581

Spain and Portugal are united under the Iberian Union, although the crowns of both countries are kept separate. The War of the Portuguese Succession is fought between Anthony of Portugal and Philip, but the former claimant is pushed out of the country in 1581. In the same year, the Spanish Habsburgs are thrown out of the Netherlands, with the country being officially declared a republic.

1585 - 1604

As the widower of Mary Tudor, Philip still regards himself as the king of England, even though it had been made clear to him upon his marriage that he would inherit no such right. After years of plots to remove the Protestant Elizabeth Tudor from the English throne, Spain is the instigator of the Anglo-Spanish War after the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots is executed by the English. The year 1588 sees the Spanish Armada defeated in the Channel, but the war ends in a stalemate when Philip dies, and is only formally concluded in 1604.

1598 - 1621

Philip III

Philip II of Portugal 1598-1621.

1609 - 1621

The Spanish Netherlands is exhausted by war with the Calvinist northerners who are fighting to free the country of Spanish control. A truce is agreed which all but recognises the legality of the independence of the northern Netherlands (Philip's son, Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand, becomes governor of the Spanish Netherlands in 1634).

1621 - 1665

Philip IV

Philip III of Portugal 1621-1640. Became king aged 16.

1625

The First Genoese-Savoyard War is part of the greater Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). Savoyard forces join those of France and the Netherlands to besiege Genoa, the capital of the eponymous republic, while the rest of its lands suffer occupation by the invaders. Spain sends a major naval expedition to relieve Genoa, which it does. The Genoese republic is restored and they and the Spanish turn the tables, invading Piedmont and securing the overland supply route between northern Italy and the Spanish Netherlands, known as the Spanish Road. The war ends in a stalemate with the Treaty of Monçon.

Before taking up the post of governor of Milan in 1625, Gonzalo Fernandez de Córdoba successfully defeated the mercenary forces of Ernst von Mansfeld and Christian of Brunswick at the Battle of Fleurus in 1622, part of the Thirty Years' War

1640 - 1659

Spanish-controlled Portugal regains its independence in 1640 by offering the crown to John of Braganza. Catalonia revolts in 1640-1659, and defeat at Rocroi by France ends Spanish hegemony.

1655

English troops take Jamaica from Spain, making it a hub for rum production and slave trading.

1665 - 1700

Carlos / Charles II

Son.

1665

The only surviving son of Philip IV, Charles is the product of generations of Habsburg inbreeding, leaving him physically disabled, mentally retarded, and disfigured. He produces no offspring, quite possibly being infertile, and the only surprise during his reign is that he manages to live so long, while frequently being on the verge of death. His successor is named as Philip, duke of Anjou, who ascends the throne as the Bourbon Philip V.

1697

As part of the Treaty of Ryswick, Spain formally cedes the western third of Hispaniola to France.

Bourbon Dynasty
AD 1700 - 1870

The House of Bourbon dates back to the thirteenth century in France. The Spanish Bourbons were descended from the Marche-Vendôme line (or Bourbon-Vendôme), which gained power when Antoine de Bourbon (died 1562) was given the duchy of Bourbon. Philip V was the third grandson of Louis XIV, and the twentieth century's King Juan Carlos was a direct descendant of his. The Spanish Bourbons spawned several lines, including Bourbon-Parma, descended from Philip, younger son of Philip V, who was Duke of Parma, although they were dispossessed of Parma in 1860 when Italy was reunited. The Sicilian Bourbons descended from Ferdinand, second son of Charles III of Spain, king of the Two Sicilies, but they too were dispossessed in 1860.

1700 - 1724

Philip V Bourbon

Duke of Anjou in France. Abdicated in 1724.

1702 - 1715

Spain is involved in the War of Succession as Austria, Britain, and Portugal dispute the Bourbon accession. The conclusion of the war sees Spain giving up Milan, Naples, Sardinia, and the Spanish Netherlands (modern Belgium) to Austria, and Sicily to the duchy of Savoy. The Papal States are forced to hand over the territories of Parma and Piacenza to Austria, a definite blow to the papacy's prestige. Philip, duke of Anjou, is recognised as the Bourbon King Philip V of Spain, but only on the condition that the Bourbon crowns of Spain and France can never be united under a single ruler.

The War of the Spanish Succession was fought to avoid a shift in the balance of power in Europe with the proposed unification of the Bourbon kingdoms of Spain and France

1717 - 1720

Philip is unhappy with the arrangements set at the end of the War of Succession and occupies Sardinia and Sicily, triggering the War of the Quadruple Alliance. The war begins with Philip's first actions of 1717, and is formally declared in 1718. Austria, Britain, France, and Holland unite to defeat Spain, and peace is again declared with the Treaty of The Hague which is signed in 1720. As part of this treaty, the duchy of Savoy trades Sicily for Sardinia, and the duke is promoted, with Savoy being merged with Sardinia to form a single kingdom of Sardinia.

On a better note for Spain, in 1717 the viceroyalty of New Granada is created from Peru's northern territories as Spain's New World territories continue to deliver vast amounts of gold and trade.

1724

Louis

Son. Died after seven months on the throne.

1724

Philip V abdicates his throne in favour of Louis, his eldest son, on 14 January. He doesn't make his reasons clear, but elements of mental instability had already appeared in him during his reign, so perhaps this scares him enough to persuade him to hand over the kingdom. Unfortunately, just seven months later, Louis dies of smallpox and Philip is forced to resume his role as king.

1724 - 1746

Philip V

Restored. Died 9 July.

1733 - 1748

The Polish War of Succession (1733-1735) erupts in which Stanislas Lesczynski is supported by his son-in-law, Louis XV of France and Philip V, increasing the Bourbon hold on Europe. Further family gains are made during the War of Jenkins' Ear (1739) and the subsequent War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) in which the accession of Maria Theresa to the Austrian archduchy and the title of Holy Roman Emperor is contested. Under Philip's second spell on the throne the country begins to emerge from the period of stagnation which was engendered during the last days of Habsburg rule in the country.

1745 - 1746

Again as part of a wider war, this time the War of the Austrian Succession, Spanish troops seize Milan under the command of Captain General Jean Thierry du Mont, count of Gages. Austrian forces rally, and retake the duchy on 18 March 1746. Furthermore, they defeat the Spanish at Piacenza on 16 June 1746 and Tidone on 10 August 1746. The new king, Ferdinand, witnesses the end of the war, which produces no benefit for Spain itself, despite benefiting the Bourbon family in Europe. Determined to help his country catch up with France and Britain, he attempts to promote reform and modernises the navy.

1746 - 1759

Ferdinand VI

Son.

1759 - 1788

Carlos / Charles III

Son of Philip V. Former king of the Two Sicilies.

1750 - 1759

The 1750 Treaty of Madrid between Portugal and Spain legitimises the established borders of the colonial territories in Peru and Brazil. In 1759, Charles III abdicates the kingdom of the Two Sicilies to his son, Ferdinand.

1763

At the end of the Seven Years' War, France cedes the vast and wild Louisiana Territory from the French Colonies to Spain, while Spain itself loses the colony of Florida to the British. The French regain Louisiana in 1800 under the Treaty of San Iidefonso.

1788 - 1808

Carlos / Charles IV

Manoeuvred into abdicating by the French First Empire.

1794 - 1795

After becoming a member of the First Coalition against revolutionary France, Spain withdraws from the war once it sees which way the wind is blowing, with France seemingly unstoppable on the battlefield. As part of a separate peace deal that Spain agrees with France, the country is forced to cede the entire island of Hispaniola.

1805

Napoleon Bonaparte, emperor of France, is powerless to prevent the naval Battle of Trafalgar, which proves Britain's supremacy at sea, pounding the French and their Spanish allies in a crushing defeat.

1807 - 1813

Napoleon Bonaparte's French First Empire occupies Portugal. The following year he sends armies to occupy Spain. Charles IV decides to flee to New Spain, but the populace are not very receptive to being left leaderless so he is forced to abdicate in favour of his son. Ferdinand VII is almost immediately imprisoned for the duration of the war by Napoleon, who places his own brother on the throne.

1808

Ferdinand VII

Son. Imprisoned by Napoleon I of France.

1808 - 1814

Joseph Bonaparte

Brother & puppet ruler of Napoleon I of France.

1808

The lack of a king in French-occupied Spain creates instability in New Spain, and at the end of a turbulent year, the viceroy there is deposed under the authority of the Junta of Seville. However, the move is seen as the beginnings of independence for the colony. Open insurrection begins in 1810 in many of the Spanish colonies, with Peru standing as a centre for royalist opposition to the revolts.

1812 - 1813

Incensed by Russia's refusal to join his blockade of Britain, Napoleon invades Russia with one of the largest armies Europe has ever seen. Frustrated by the Russian policy of using the vast space of the country to defeat him, he is forced to retreat to Germany. In early 1813, Europe's armies mobilise against him and French armies are pushed out of Spain by General Wellesley, and out of Germany by the allied armies.

1814 - 1833

Ferdinand VII

Restored by Britain (1814) & France (1823).

1821 - 1824

Two years after Ferdinand signs away Oregon and Florida to the USA, but secures Texas for his colonies, Mexico and Guatemala achieve independence from Spain (1821). Following the loss of Hispaniola in 1822 and Peru in 1824, Ferdinand is left only with his territories in the Caribbean.

1820 - 1823

Ferdinand is detained by rebels after refusing to adopt the new and liberal Spanish Constitution of 1812. It takes until 1822 for European states to react and in 1823, under general agreement by those states, French forces invade Spain to restore Ferdinand, supported by Charles Albert, the future king of Sardinia. The Battle of Trocadero sees the French attack a fort from the seaward side to secure access to Cadiz itself, which falls after a three week siege. Ferdinand is freed to take his revenge, executing around 30,000 people.

1833

Following the death of Ferdinand, his three year-old daughter is proclaimed queen regnant of Spain, but only because her father had previously helped to remove Bourbon-introduced Salic Law in favour of Spain's older succession law which allows women to rule. This leads to a number of pretenders who fight for the throne they believe is theirs by right, the first being Ferdinand's brother, Carlos. Thanks to him, his supporters and successors become known as the Carlists, but Spain's army successfully supports its queen.

1833 - 1870

Isabella II

Dau. Proclaimed queen at the age of three. Deposed and exiled.

1833 - 1841

Maria Cristina

Mother and regent.

1833 - 1845

Carlos / Charles (V)

Younger brother of Ferdinand. First Carlist pretender.

1835 - 1841

Despite fighting for five years in Spain in the First Carlist War, Carlos is unsuccessful in regaining 'his' throne. He departs for France and after fighting on for a further year, his supporters in Spain give up. With the conclusion of the Carlist War, Maria Cristina resigns as regent in favour of her popular general, Baldomero Espartero, prince of Vergara. (In May 1845 Charles abdicates his right of succession in favour of his son, Charles (VI).)

1841 - 1843

Baldomero Espartero

Regent. Deposed by the military.

1845 - 1861

Carlos / Charles (VI)

Son of Charles (V). Died a sudden and unexplained death.

1847 - 1849

The Second Carlist War is a short and minor civil war fought between the crown and Carlist forces, mostly in Catalonia, and is led by General Ramon Cabrera.

1859 - 1860

The Spanish-Moroccan War, or African War, begins with a disagreement over the Spanish-controlled coastal city of Ceuta. The Moroccan forces accept defeat after the Battle of Tetuan.

1861 - 1868

Juan / John (III)

Brother. Abdicated Carlist claim in favour of his son. Died 1887.

1861 - 1865

Spain recovers the eastern section of Hispaniola, now known as the Dominican Republic, when its leader elects to hand the territory back to the crown. Opponents launch the Restoration War in 1863 and two years later Spain abandons the island.

1868 - 1871

The death of Leopoldo O'Donnell, three times prime minister of Spain and former captain genera of Cuba, leads to general unrest which triggers the Glorious Revolution. Queen Isabella is deposed and Spain is governed as a republic while the search for a new ruling house is undertaken. Isabella is exiled to France and is 'persuaded' to abdicate on 25 June 1870 in Paris (in favour of her son, Alfonso XII). This leads to the Franco-Prussian war when Napoleon III of France refuses to accept the possibility of the German Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen gaining the Spanish throne. On 3 November 1870, the search for a new monarch who will agree to abide by a constitution is concluded. A liberal Italian prince of the House of Savoy is selected.

The Provisional Government of the Glorious Revolution of 1868 consisted of (from left to right) Figuerola, Ruiz Zorilla, Sagasta, Prim, Serrano, Topete, Lopez Ayala, Romero Ortiz, and Lorenzana

1868 - 1909

Carlos / Charles (VII)

Son of John (III). Led the Third Carlist War in 1872.

Savoy Dynasty / First Republic
AD 1870 - 1873

Following the Glorious Revolution of 1868, the search for a new king took until 1870, when the Italian prince of the House of Savoy and younger son of King Victor Emanuel II was selected. King Amadeo landed at Cartagena on 27 November 1870, swearing that he would uphold Spain's new constitution. He lasted two years, and his short reign led to the establishment of the first period of a republican government in the country.

1870 - 1873

Amadeo / Amadeus

Son of Victor Emanuel, of the House of Savoy & king of Italy.

1872

Charles (VII) organises and leads the Third Carlist War, which is the last attempt to claim the throne away from what they see as the illegitimate rule of Queen Isabella and her descendants. The war continues into the Bourbon restoration which is brought about when Valencia is seized in the true king's name.

1873 - 1874

Amadeo abdicates on 10 February following a dispute between him and the radical liberalist government. The following day the government declares the country to be a republic which is governed by parliament itself. The republic lasts twenty-three months and sees an astonishing procession of five presidents. On 3 January 1874, Manuel Pavia, captain general of Madrid, brings the republic to an end when he forces the formation of a new government. A short period of civil war between monarchist and republican forces lasts until a leading general declares for Alfonso to be king.

Bourbon Dynasty (Restored)
AD 1873 - 1931

The thought of handing the throne to Alfonso XII was dismissed in 1870 amid fears that he would be dominated by his mother, the former Bourbon Queen Isabella. After a two year period of republican government in the country, it was found that there was no political will to restore Isabella herself, but during the Third Carlist War, when Brigadier Martinez Campos took Valencia in the name of Alfonso XII, the president of the republican council resigned and power was transferred to Alfonso's representatives.

While Alfonso's legal father was the Bourbon Francis of Assisi, there was a high level of suspicion that his real father was the captain of the royal guard or an army general. Francis has long been assumed to have been homosexual and Isabella was reputedly not above finding comfort elsewhere.

1874 - 1885

Alfonso XII

Son of Isabella.

1876

After four years, the Third Carlist War has seen Carlist forces capture much of Peninsula Spain amid promises of a return to the old rule. These promises fail to be realised and, after a vigorous campaign by Alfonso XII, Charles (VII) goes into voluntary exile on 27 February 1876. (The Carlists also lay claim to be the rightful heirs of the French throne after 1883.)

1886 - 1931

Alfonso XIII

Son. King from birth in 1886. Deposed, abdicated, died in 1941.

1885 - 1902

Maria Cristina

Mother and regent.

1898

Spain loses the Spanish-American War. With that it also loses much of the Spanish Caribbean, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Spanish East Indies (including the Marianna Islands and the Philippines).

1909 - 1931

Jaime (III)

Son of Charles (VII). Carlist pretender.

1911 - 1912

Some support is given to monarchist Portuguese groups who aim to end their country's newfound republican status. In 1912, under the terms of the Treaty of Fez, Morocco becomes a French Protectorate, with a small protectorate of northern territories near the Straits of Gibraltar remaining under Spanish control.

1914 - 1918

The First World War rages in Europe, but due to the king's family connections with both sides, as well as deep divisions in opinion being evident from amongst his subjects, Spain remains neutral for the duration of the conflict.

1930 - 1931

The prime minister, Miguel Primo de Rivera, retires on 28 January 1930 after a seven year 'reign' of dictatorial governance. The reputation of Alfonso XIII, who had supported him, is fatally damaged by association. The Second Republic is proclaimed on 14 April 1931, and Alfonso is forced to flee the country. Spain becomes a republic again. Attempting to exploit the situation, the Carlist pretender, Jaime (III), attempts to rally supporters to his cause. Instead, he has two meetings with the deposed king in France, to an extent healing the breach between the two branches of the family, before suddenly dying.

Second Republic / Regency
AD 1931 - 1975

Although he had been king since the moment of his birth (following the early death of his father), Alfonso XIII became unpopular during his reign. The loss of the last of Spain's colonies in the New World and the dictatorship of Prime Minister Miguel Primo de Rivera in 1923-1930 ended his appeal with the people, and a republic was proclaimed on 14 April 1931. Unfortunately it was born in a period of worldwide economic depression and a high level of discontent with the old order of rule, and the situation in Spain soon descended into chaos, with assassinations and street fighting leading to a coup d'etat which eventually turned the country into a dictatorship.

1931 - 1936

Alfonso Carlos

Uncle of Jaime (III). Carlist claimant to the throne.

1936

The republican Popular Front government defeats the right wing National Front in elections in 1936, forming the new government. In July, General Francisco Franco and a combination of monarchists and conservatives initiates a coup d'etat which triggers the Spanish Civil War. In September, Franco makes it clear that he will never accept Alfonso as king, while he also plays a skilful game of diplomacy with the various claimants to the Spanish throne, keeping them opposed to one another.

General Franco led a coup which triggered the Spanish Civil War, and three years of fighting

With the death of the Carlist pretender and now claimant to the empty throne, Alfonso Carlos, most Carlist supporters support Javier of Bourbon-Parma of the House of Braganza, who had previously been named regent by Alfonso Carlos himself. However, there is a minority Carlist support base for Alfonso XIII, the exiled king.

There is also minority support for Archduke Charles (VIII) of Habsburg and Bourbon, a grandson of Charles (VII) through the female line. (This line of Habsburg claimants is shown with a pink backing to differentiate it from the main Carlist succession.)

1936 - 1977

(Francisco) Javier

Alfonso Carlos' chosen successor. Died 7 May.

1936 - 1953

Carlos / Charles (VIII) / Karl Pius of Austria

Grandson of Charles (VII). Rival Carlist claimant.

1939

Three years of bitter fighting, in which Franco's nationalist forces have been decisively helped by the fascist governments of Germany and Italy, come to an end in Spain. The last republican forces surrender to Franco on 1 April 1939. The country is governed under General Franco's military rule in which he manages to merge together the far right Falange party with the Carlist monarchist concerns, making the new single party the only legal one.

1939 - 1975

General Francisco Franco

Military dictator. 'Regent of the kingdom' from 1947.

1941

The exiled king, Alfonso XIII, has until now been supported by a minority of Carlists in the hope that the rift between the rival royal houses can be healed. However, Alfonso abdicates his claim to the throne and dies just two months later. His eldest son had died in 1938 and his second son, Jaime, had been forced to renounce his rights to the constitutional succession in 1933. The only eligible successor is his third son, Juan. (Jaime continues to claim his own right to the throne until his death in 1975, but his sons never renew this claim on their own behalf. Instead, one of them, Gonzalo, maintains a claim to the title of duke of Aquitaine from 1972.)

1941 - 1977

Juan / John (III or IV)

Son of Alfonso XIII and legitimate heir to the throne.

1947

After maintaining Spain's neutrality during the Second World War (apart from allowing troops to go to Germany to help in its fight against Russia), Franco proclaims Spain a monarchy, becoming de facto regent of the kingdom of Spain, although he also wears or uses many of the trappings of monarchy himself. With no particular wish to restore the king as yet, the throne is left vacant.

1953 - 1961

Carlos / Charles (IX) / Anton of Austria

Brother of Charles (VIII). Rival Carlist claimant.

1956

Morocco gains independence from France and Spain, although Spain hangs onto a few small enclaves on the North African coast (Spanish North Africa, or the 'places of sovereignty'). The most major of these are Ceuta and Melilla.

1961 - 1975

Francisco / Franz Josef of Austria

Brother of Charles (IX). Rival Carlist claimant.

1969 - 1975

In 1969, Franco designates Juan Carlos as his successor as king of Spain, which comes as a shock for the Carlists who have been hoping their own candidates would be preferred. Technically, Juan Carlos' father, John, count of Barcelona, has the prior claim to the throne.

Bourbon Dynasty (Restored)
AD 1975 - Present Day

The monarchy was restored on 22 November 1975, two days after the death of Francisco Franco. Juan Carlos became Spain's first reigning monarch in thirty-nine years when he was designated king, although he had already governed as head of state for a short period in 1974, when Franco fell ill with Parkinson's Disease. His wife was Sophia, sister of the king of Greece.

When Juan Carlos gained the throne, the Carlist claimant, Javier, abdicated his claim. However, this didn't stop his sons, Carlos Hugo and Sixtus Enrique, from both claiming the Carlist succession, with Carlos having the better claim due to his seniority. Approaching their claim from very different positions, neither amounted to a serious threat to the new legitimate king. Sixtus Enrique was of the opinion that his brother was ineligible to be the Carlist claimant due to his socialism, but accepted that his two sons should and will be the Carlist successors to both of them, should they accept traditional Carlist views. Francisco of the rival Carlist line also renounced his claim in 1975, but his son succeeded him, albeit with only minority support.

1975 - Present

Juan Carlos

Son of Juan III and grandson of Alfonso XIII. Born 5 Jan 1938.

1975 - Present

Domingo / Dominic of Austria

Son of Anton of Austria. Rival Carlist claimant.

1977 - Present

Carlos Hugo / Charles (VIII)

Son of Javier. Socialist Carlist pretender. Born 8 April 1930.

1977 - Present

Sixtus Enrique

Brother. Far right Carlist pretender. Born 22 July 1940.

1977

The son of Alfonso XIII, the last king of Spain before the Second Republic, John (III or IV) of Bourbon and Battenberg, renounces his claim to the throne in favour of his son, Juan Carlos, who has been king since 1975.

The marriage of Prince Carlos to Princess Sophia of Greece on 14 May 1962 was an international affair, attended by the royalty of a great many countries

1978 - 1979

The Spanish Constitution of 1978 confirms General Franco's choice of Juan Carlos as the king of Spain. Relinquishing absolute power, the king reigns but doesn't rule, leaving that to his elected parliament. The following year, in response to this, the Carlist pretender Charles (VIII) accepts Spanish citizenship from King Juan Carlos. However, he and his brother both continue to uphold Carlist claims to the throne, as does the Austrian rival, Domingo. There remains various levels of support for all of them, while some see Domingo as being ineligible due to having contracted an unequal marriage. As all of King Juan Carlos' children have done the same, the Carlist claim passes through an ever more obscure line of would-be pretenders.

Crown Prince Felipe

Son and heir. Born 30 Jan 1968.

Leonor (Eleanore II?)

Dau. Born 30 Oct 2005.

While Leonor is the eldest child of the crown prince, the Spanish Constitution of 1978 only allows her to remain the heir to the throne as long as she doesn't have any brothers, otherwise they will take precedence. Discussions in Spain suggest the possibility of amending the constitution to make Leonor the confirmed heir.