Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies
The "moderates" or "liberal moderates" were a continuation of the "doceañistas", supporters of the Spanish Constitution of 1812 during the "Trienio Liberal" ("liberal triennium") of 1820–1823, as opposed to the more radical "exaltados" or "veinteañistas". In the last years of the reign of Ferdinand VII they had effected a mutual drawing together with the least absolutist elements of his government. Upon the death of Ferdinand, they supported the royal claim of the king's only child, the three-year-old Isabel, under the regency of queen mother Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies. In contrast, the Carlists supported a strongly absolutist monarchy, essentially a continuation of the "Antiguo Régimen", under the Infante Carlos, Count of Molina.