page_title: Maria Christina of Austria
section_title: Regency
hierarchical_section_title: Maria Christina of Austria / Regency
caption_attribution_description: English: Maria Christina of Austria - Queen of Spain
context_page_description: Archduchess Maria Christina Henriette Desideria Felicitas Raineria of Austria, also known as Maria Christina Henrietta Désirée Félicité Rénière was Queen of Spain as the second wife of King Alfonso XII. She was regent during the vacancy of the throne between her husband's death and her son's birth, and during the minority of their son, King Alfonso XIII, between 1885 and 1902.
context_section_description: When the King died on 25 November 1885, Maria Christina was pregnant, so the throne was vacant, depending on whether Maria Christina's unborn child was a male or a female; a male would make that child king, while a female would place her elder daughter, Infanta María Mercedes, on the throne. During this period, Maria Christina ruled as regent until her child, a son, was born on 17 May 1886; he was King Alfonso XIII of Spain from birth. Maria Christina continued as regent until Alfonso XIII attained his majority in 1902; she is the "Her Majesty The Queen of Spain, The Queen Regent" named as concluding the Treaty of Paris (1898) with the United States of America, ending the Spanish–American War.
  Her chief adviser and head of government was Práxedes Mateo Sagasta. Her rule is described as well-balanced and in accordance with respect for constitutional rights, and many political reforms were instated during her regency to prevent political conflicts and chaos. Her role was mostly ceremonial, and her purpose was to preserve the crown for her son until he became an adult.
caption: Queen Maria Christina of Spain in her youth, 1880s.
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