New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-19
Royalties Who Have Held the
Rank of Heir Presumptiv
But Lost II.

Within an hour after the birth of his son last
week King Alfonso affixed his signature 10 a de-
cree transferring the title of Prince of the As
turias from his brother-in-law Don Carlos or
Bourbon, 10 the baby. By the same edict the
latter was invested with all the honors and pre-
negatives Of The heir apparent TO the throne of
Spain. which for the last three years have been
enjoyed by little Prince Alfonso. now six years
CID This youngster is the oldest child Of the
Kings sister Mercedes who died in 1904 Al the
time Of her death the King was still unmarried
and therefore next in the line Of succession
10 the Crown she enjoyed the title Of Princess of
the Asturias, which she had already borne once
before IN the lifetime Of her father. Alfonso
XII
Hers indeed was a strange lot. Her brother
the King. is a posthumous child. and was born
Blk months after his fathers sudden end. Dur
ing that brief interval the then five-year-old
princess was Queen Of Spain. all official docu-
ments and laws being signed in her name as
such But when her brother made his appear
ance in the world she was compelled TO step
down from the throne and TO resume her status
as Princess Of the Asturias In accordance with
that medieval custom which formerly prevailed
n England and which still survives in Spain.
whereby husbands Of inferior rank share the
honors and titles enjoyed by their wives, Prince
Charles Of Bourbon-Naples on marrying the
Princess OF the Asturias. became ipso facto him.
self Prince Of the Asturias When his wife died
that dignity should. strictly speaking. have
gone 10 his boy. Don Alfonso, who had through
his mothers death become heir apparent. But
as the Kings marriage was already on the
cards, il was considered inadvisable TO deprive
the Infant Carlos Of his honorary status as
Prince OF the Asturias until II was seen whether
Or not The monarch's projected union would be
blessed with issue.
Lete.ae add that the Kings aunt. the Infanta
Isabella celebrated as the most skilfu four-in-
hand whip Of the peninsula. has on two occa-
slons been subjected TO an experience very sim
liar 10 that which has fallen to the share Of
Don Carlos. She was Princess Of the Asturias
and heir apparent during the six years that IN
terVened between her own birth in 1851, as the
eldest child OF Queen Isabella. and the appear
&nce on the scene OF her only brother, Alfonso
XII. in 1851 Again. after his establishment
on the throne il 1874 she ranked as Princess Of
the Asturias until the birth Of his eldest child
IN 1880 compelled her TO surrender the dignity
TO her little niece. the late Dona Mercedes
The title Of Prince or Princess of the Asturias
has for six centuries been the Spanish counter
part Of the dignity Of Prince of Wales in Eng
land Of Prince Of Orange in the Neither
4ands, and Of Czarowitch in Russia OF
Dlodokos in Greece. and also of Dauphin in
france. in the days when that country was still
fubject 10 the sway Of the house of Bourbon.
Inc principality Of Asturias may he sought in
VAN On the maps Of modern Spain since the
province now figures under the name of Oviedo
II forms part OF the Pyrennean system has
'iteil heen described as the Switzerland Of the
peninsula and its people possess all the sturdy
virtues Of hardy mountaineers