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{{Infobox Royalty|consort=yes
{{Infobox Royalty|consort=yes
| name = Maria Carolina of Austria
| name = Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria
| title = Queen consort of Naples and Sicily
| title = Queen consort of Naples and Sicily
| coronation =
| coronation =
| image =Johann_Georg_Weikert_001.jpg
| image =Johann_Georg_Weikert_001.jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| reign = 12 May 1768 - 8 September 1814
| reign = [[May 12|12 May]] [[1768]] - [[September 8|8 September]] [[1814]]
| spouse = [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies]]
| spouse = [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|Ferdinand, King of Naples and Sicily]]
| issue =[[Maria Teresa of the Two Sicilies|Maria Teresa, Empress of Austria]]<br>[[Luisa of the Two Sicilies|Maria Luisa, Grand Duchess of Tuscany]]<br>[[Francis I of the Two Sicilies]]<br>[[Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies (1779-1849)|Maria Christina, Queen of Sardinia]]<br>[[Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies|Maria Amalia, Queen of the French]]<br>[[Princess Maria Antonia of Naples and Sicily|Maria Antonia, Princess of Asturias]]<br>[[Leopold, Prince of Salerno]]
| issue =[[Maria Teresa of Naples and Sicily|Maria Teresa, Empress of Austria]]<br>[[Princess Luisa of the Two Sicilies|Maria Luisa, Grand Duchess of Tuscany]]<br>[[Francis I of the Two Sicilies]]<br>[[Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies (1779-1849)|Maria Christina, Queen of Sardinia]]<br>[[Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies|Maria Amalia, Queen of the French]]<br>[[Princess Maria Antonia of Naples and Sicily|Maria Antonia, Princess of Asturias]]<br>[[Leopold, Prince of Salerno]]
| issue-link =#Children
| issue-link =#Issue
| issue-pipe =More
| issue-pipe =More
| house= [[House of Bourbon|House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]]<br>[[House of Habsburg-Lorraine]]
| house= [[House of Bourbon|House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]]<br>[[House of Habsburg-Lorraine]]
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| mother=[[Maria Theresa of Austria]]
| mother=[[Maria Theresa of Austria]]
| date of birth={{birth date|1752|08|13|df=y}}
| date of birth={{birth date|1752|08|13|df=y}}
| place of birth= [[Vienna]]
| place of birth= [[Schonbrunn Palace]], [[Vienna]], [[Austria]]
| date of death= {{death date and age|1814|09|8|1752|08|13|df=y}}
| date of death= {{death date and age|1814|09|8|1752|08|13|df=y}}
| place of death= [[Austria]]
| place of death= [[Austria]]
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}}
}}


'''Maria Carolina of Austria''' ({{lang-de|Maria Karolina von Österreich}}; {{lang-it|Maria Carolina d'Austria}}; 13 August 1752 &ndash; 8 September 1814), born '''Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria''' ({{lang-de|Erzherzogin Maria Karolina von Österreich}}), and later becoming '''Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and Sicily''' ({{lang-it|Maria Carolina, Regina di Napoli e di Sicilia}}) was [[queen consort]] and ''[[de facto]]'' ruler of [[Naples]] from 1768 to 1799 and from 1799 to 1806, and of [[Sicily]] from 1768 until her death in 1814, though she had lost the ''de facto'' power in 1812. She was born an Austrian Archduchess and was a sister of [[Queen consort|Queen]] [[Marie Antoinette]] of [[France]].
'''Maria Carolina of Austria, Queen Consort of Naples and Sicily''' ({{lang-de|Maria Karolina von Österreich}}; {{lang-it|Maria Carolina d'Austria}}; 13 August 1752 &ndash; 8 September 1814), born '''Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria''' ({{lang-de|Erzherzogin Maria Karolina von Österreich}}), and later becoming '''Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and Sicily''' ({{lang-it|Maria Carolina, Regina di Napoli e di Sicilia}}) was [[Queen|Queen consort]] and ''[[De facto|de facto]]'' ruler of [[Naples]] from 1768 to 1799 and from 1799 to 1806, and of [[Sicily]] from 1768 until her death in 1814, though she had lost the ''de facto'' power in 1812. She was born an Austrian Archduchess and was a sister of [[Queen consort|Queen]] [[Marie Antoinette]] of [[France]].
==Life==
===Childhood===
[[Image:Maria Karolina of Austria Young.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Maria Carolina, as a young girl in Austria]]


==Biography==
⚫
''Maria Carolina Louise Josepha Joanna Antonia, Princess Imperial and Archduchess of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, Princess of Tuscany'' was born on 13 August 1752 at the [[Schonbrunn Palace]] in Vienna. She was the 13th child and the 6th surviving daughter of [[Maria Theresa of Austria|Maria Theresa]], the reigning Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and [[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor]].


⚫
''Maria Carolina Louise Josepha Joanna Antonia of Austria, Princess Imperial and Archduchess of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, Princess of Tuscany'' was born on [[August 13|13 August]] [[1752]] at the [[Schonbrunn Palace]] in Vienna. She was the 13th child and the 6th surviving daughter of [[Maria Theresa of Austria|Maria Theresa]], the reigning Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and [[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor]].
⚫
Nicknamed "Charlotte," a name her mother the empress had always liked, her names were chosen for illustrious forebearers. Maria was for the Virgin Mary, Caroline was for Maria Theresa's father, [[Emperor Charles VI]], Louise was for her godfather, [[Louis XV of France]], Josepha was for her older brother the future [[Emperor Joseph II]], Joanna was for [[St. John the Apostle]], and Antonia was for [[St. Anthony of Padua]].

⚫
Nicknamed "Charlotte," a name her mother the empress had always liked, her names were chosen for illustrious forebearers. Maria was for the Virgin Mary, Caroline was for Maria Theresa's father, [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor]], Louise was for her godfather, [[Louis XV of France]], Josepha was for her older brother the future [[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor]], Joanna was for [[St. John the Apostle]], and Antonia was for [[St. Anthony of Padua]].


She and [[Marie Antoinette]] were the two youngest girls and were therefore raised together, almost as though they were twins. They were extremely close to each other and shared the same governess until 1767. They were both lively girls. While Marie Antoinette neglected her studies, Maria Carolina was a diligent student, but also had a strong, indefatigable personality: "Willful and impetuous, [she was] convinced that she had been born to rule." <ref name=Charlotte>{{cite book |last= Vovk|first= Justin C.|title= In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa|year= 2008|}}, p. 25</ref>
She and [[Marie Antoinette]] were the two youngest girls and were therefore raised together, almost as though they were twins. They were extremely close to each other and shared the same governess until 1767. They were both lively girls. While Marie Antoinette neglected her studies, Maria Carolina was a diligent student, but also had a strong, indefatigable personality: "Willful and impetuous, [she was] convinced that she had been born to rule." <ref name=Charlotte>{{cite book |last= Vovk|first= Justin C.|title= In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa|year= 2008|}}, p. 25</ref>
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Despite these frustrations, her mother described Maria Carolina as the daughter who resembled her most, not only in looks but also in character and intelligence. In a letter to her then 15-year old daughter, Maria Theresa mother advised Carolina to work diligently at her studies in order to make the most of the gifts God has given her, not to be idle and seek unsuitable amusements, and encouraged her to be more gentle with her ladies-in-waiting and show a more mature and kindly attitude. Shortly after this letter, Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette were separated and Maria Carolina was placed under the governess of her choice. T
Despite these frustrations, her mother described Maria Carolina as the daughter who resembled her most, not only in looks but also in character and intelligence. In a letter to her then 15-year old daughter, Maria Theresa mother advised Carolina to work diligently at her studies in order to make the most of the gifts God has given her, not to be idle and seek unsuitable amusements, and encouraged her to be more gentle with her ladies-in-waiting and show a more mature and kindly attitude. Shortly after this letter, Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette were separated and Maria Carolina was placed under the governess of her choice. T


The older Carolina was told to be firm with the separation and to ignore the "little one" (as the Empress would sometimes refer to Marie Antoinette) when she made attempts to continue their old ways. She was also instructed to attach herself to her sister [[Archduchess Marie Amalie of Austria|Marie Amalie]] instead in order to help her develop a more mature behavior and outlook. Despite their separation, Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette would retain their great affection and concern for each other throughout their lives. Decades later, after the death of Marie Antoinette, the latter's daughter [[Marie-Therese-Charlotte of France|Marie-Therese-Charlotte]], wrote to her aunt that her mother spoke often of Marie Carolina and that she had said she had been the sister Marie Antoinette loved most.
The older Carolina was told to be firm with the separation and to ignore the "little one" (as the Empress would sometimes refer to Marie Antoinette) when she made attempts to continue their old ways. She was also instructed to attach herself to her sister [[Archduchess Maria Amalia of Austria|Archduchess Maria Amalia]] instead in order to help her develop a more mature behavior and outlook. Despite their separation, Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette would retain their great affection and concern for each other throughout their lives. Decades later, after the death of Marie Antoinette, the latter's daughter [[Marie-Therese-Charlotte of France|Marie-Therese-Charlotte]], wrote to her aunt that her mother spoke often of Marie Carolina and that she had said she had been the sister Marie Antoinette loved most.
⚫
{{infobox consortstyles|royal name=Queen Maria Carolina|dipstyle=[[Her Majesty (style)|Her Majesty]]|offstyle=Your Majesty|image=|altstyle=Ma'am}}


===Engagement===
===Engagement===
[[Image:Maria Karolina of Austria Queen.png|thumb|200px|left|Maria Carolina, as Archduchess of Austria]]
[[Image:Maria Karolina of Austria Queen.png|thumb|200px|right|Maria Carolina, as Archduchess of Austria]]


Maria Carolina's engagement occurred under the most unfortunate circumstances. Her oldest sister, the [[Archduchess Maria Josepha of Austria|Maria Josepha]] died from smallpox in 1767. Maria Josepha had been betrothed to marry [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|King Ferdinand IV of Naples]], the son of King [[Charles III of Spain]]. Empress Maria Theresa was bound by an alliance with Charles to have one of her daughters marry his son. After Maria Josepha died, Ferdinand was still expecting the "speedy arrival of a young wife," so the empress agreed to send Maria Carolina instead. She "had heard enough about Ferdinand to dread...marrying him." She fought her mother tooth-and-nail over the issue. She cried, screamed, and begged to not marry the king of Naples, but it was no use.<ref name=Charlotte2>Vovk, p. 64 </ref>
Maria Carolina's engagement occurred under the most unfortunate circumstances. Her older sister, the [[Archduchess Maria Josepha of Austria|Archduchess Maria Josepha]] died from smallpox in 1767 at the [[Hofburg Imperial Palace]]; the 16 year old had caught it from her older sister [[Archduchess Maria Johanna Gabriela of Austria|Archduchess Maria Johanna Gabriela]].
Maria Josepha had been betrothed to marry [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|King Ferdinand IV of Naples]], the son of King [[Charles III of Spain]] and [[Maria Amalia of Saxony]]. Empress Maria Theresa was bound by an alliance with Charles to have one of her daughters marry his son.<ref>Maria Theresa had been promised to Charles III himself in their childhood</ref> After Maria Josepha died, Ferdinand was still expecting the "speedy arrival of a young wife," so the empress agreed to send Maria Carolina instead.


The young Maria Carolina was informed of her future marriage in [[1767]] and was due to marry him the next year. She "had heard enough about Ferdinand to dread...marrying him." She fought her mother tooth-and-nail over the issue. She cried, screamed, and begged to not marry the king of Naples, but it was no use.<ref name=Charlotte2>Vovk, p. 64 </ref>
⚫
==Marriage==

⚫
===Marriage===
[[Image:Ferdinand i twosicilies.jpg|thumb|right|Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies]]
[[Image:Ferdinand i twosicilies.jpg|thumb|right|Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies]]


Maria Carolina married King Ferdinand on 7 April 1768 at the Church of the Augustine Friars in Vienna. The ceremony was a proxy one, and her brother [[Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Este|Ferdinand]] stood in for the king of Naples. Later that day, she left Austria bound for Naples.
Maria Carolina married King Ferdinand on [[April 7|7 April]] [[1768]] at the Church of the Augustine Friars in Vienna. The ceremony was a proxy one, and her brother [[Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Este|Archduke Ferdinand]] stood in for the King of Naples and Sicily. Later that day, she left Austria bound for Naples.

⚫
Her departure for Naples caused her and her family great distress. At the last minute, Carolina had sprung out her carriage to give her beloved Maria Antoinette a series of hugs. Later in a letter, she pleaded with her former governess to write her about her sister. Carolina was said to be extremely upset by the journey, especially upon crossing the borders of her mother's dominions into Italy. It was an immense relief to her that her favourite brother [[Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor|Archduke Leopold, Grand Duke of Tuscany]] ruling in Tuscany at that time, offered to accompany her on the last part of her journey to [[Naples]].

⚫
On [[May 12|12 May]], [[1768]], she married the young [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|Ferdinand IV of Naples]] who was also Ferdinand III of Sicily. The marriage took place at the vast [[Caserta Palace]] where the couple had their honeymoon<ref>In [[1782]] Maria Carolina ordered the creation of an [[English Garden]]. Its laying out was begun by Carlo Vanvitelli, son of Luigi Vanvitelli who designed the Palace itself.</ref>. Ferdinand was intelligent but very indolent, and Maria Carolina took advantage of that to assume control of the affairs of the kingdom. Her first few months in Naples were extremely distressing to her and she wrote her mother that she would prefer to die than relive her first few weeks there and that she would have taken her life if not for her faith in and love for God. She would also write to her mother that marriage is hard enough with her husband but to pretend to be content with it (as advised by her mother) was an even greater burden.


The young Maria Carolina spoke Italian poorly; he spoke no German (the Austrian court of her childhood had been bought up to speak French) and not much Italian, for he was known as the "Re Lazzarone", the "Beggar (or rascal) King", a man who enjoyed hanging out on the streets with the unwashed masses and who spoke mainly their dialect. Ferdinand was, by all accounts, a good-natured lunkhead and vulgarian. After their first night together, he told his servants that Caroline "slept like the dead and snored like a pig."<ref<[http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~jmatthew/naples/MariaCarolina.htm ]</ref>
⚫
Her departure for Naples caused her and her family great distress. At the last minute, Carolina had sprung out her carriage to give her beloved Antoinette a series of hugs. Later in a letter, she pleaded with her former governess to write her about her sister. Carolina was said to be extremely upset by the journey, especially upon crossing the borders of her mother's dominions into Italy. It was an immense relief to her that her favourite brother Leopold, who was living in Tuscany at that time, offered to accompany her on the last part of her journey to Naples.


Her mother encouraged her daughter to make the most of the marriage, saying that marriage is the most important thing in life. Her mother also advised her that, "Above all, she must try to understand her ill-educated but well-meaning husband". In time, Maria Carolina resigned herself to her marriage and was very good mother to her children and very kind to other family members, in addition to carefully supervising her children's education. In the future, her sister Marie Antoinette was also praised as a good mother.
⚫
On [[12 May]], [[1768]], she married the young [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|Ferdinand IV of Naples]] who was also Ferdinand III of Sicily. Ferdinand was intelligent but very indolent, and Maria Carolina took advantage of that to assume control of the affairs of the kingdom. Her first few months in Naples were extremely distressing to her and she wrote her mother that she would prefer to die than relive her first few weeks there and that she would have taken her life if not for her faith in and love for God. She would also write to her mother that marriage is hard enough with her husband but to pretend to be content with it (as advised by her mother) was an even greater burden.


Her mother encouraged her daughter to make the most of the marriage, saying that marriage is the most important thing in life. Her mother also advised her that, "Above all, she must try to understand her ill-educated but well-meaning husband". In time, Maria Carolina resigned herself to her marriage and was very good mother to her children and very kind to other family members, in addition to carefully supervising her children's education. Her youngest daughter Maria Antonia wrote to her in despair from Spain, "Mother, you have been deceived. For you are too good a mother to have sacrificed me like this if you had known." in reference to her marriage and the treatment of her mother in-law, Maria Luisa of Parma, who was [[Queen consort|Queen]] of [[Spain]] at that time. Queen Maria Carolina and Queen Maria Luisa were bitter enemies yet she loved her daughter-in-law Maria Isabella of Spain very much despite the fact that Maria Isabella was the daughter of her enemy (and was rumored to be fathered not by King Charles IV but by the Prime Minister Godoy) - a clear contrast of the treatment by Maria Luisa to Maria Antonia. She was very much embittered by the French revolution and hated Napoleon I, yet she was fond of her great grandson, Napoleon II, despite her horror that her granddaughter Archduchess Marie Louise was to marry Napoleon I.
Her youngest daughter Maria Antonia wrote to her in despair from Spain, "Mother, you have been deceived. For you are too good a mother to have sacrificed me like this if you had known." in reference to her marriage and the treatment of her mother in-law, Maria Luisa of Parma, who was [[Queen consort|Queen]] of [[Spain]] at that time. Queen Maria Carolina and Queen Maria Luisa were bitter enemies yet she loved her daughter-in-law Maria Isabella of Spain very much despite the fact that Maria Isabella was the daughter of her enemy (and was rumored to be fathered not by King Charles IV but by the Prime Minister Godoy) - a clear contrast of the treatment by Maria Luisa to Maria Antonia. She was very much embittered by the French revolution and hated Napoleon I, yet she was fond of her great grandson, Napoleon II, despite her horror that her granddaughter Archduchess Marie Louise was to marry Napoleon I.


===Birth of an Heir===
===Birth of an Heir===


On [[14 August]], [[1777]], when she gave birth to a male heir, [[Francis I of the Two Sicilies|Francis]], she became a Counsellor of State, and she took advantage of this position of political influence. She inherited much of her mother's intelligence, but was also ambitious and cruel, wanting to raise the kingdom to a position of power. She was effective, ruthless and strongwilled and was seen as a foreigner who tried to reform the kingdom with strange methods. She became very unpopular with the young liberals and the conservative nobles alike. She did all she had been brought up to do, but failed in one essential way: she neglected her role as mother of the nation.
On [[August 14|14 August]], [[1777]], when she gave birth to a male heir, [[Francis I of the Two Sicilies|Francis]], she became a Counsellor of State, and she took advantage of this position of political influence. She inherited much of her mother's intelligence, but was also ambitious and cruel, wanting to raise the kingdom to a position of power. She was effective, ruthless and strongwilled and was seen as a foreigner who tried to reform the kingdom with strange methods. She became very unpopular with the young liberals and the conservative nobles alike.


She did all she had been brought up to do, but failed in one essential way: she neglected her role as mother of the nation.
⚫
One of her daughters, [[Maria Teresa of the Two Sicilies|Maria Teresa]], became the wife of the [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor]]. Another daughter, [[Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies|Maria Amalia]] became queen consort of France, like Maria Carolina's sister, Marie Antoinette -- this, after the eldest daughter of Maria Teresa, [[Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma|Marie Louise]], became the second wife of [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon I, Emperor of the French]], who was later deposed.

⚫
One of her daughters, [[Maria Teresa of Naples and Sicily|Princess Maria Teresa]], became the wife of the [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor]]. Another daughter, [[Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies|Princess Maria Amalia]] became queen consort of France, like Maria Carolina's sister, Marie Antoinette - this, after the eldest daughter of Maria Teresa, [[Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma|Archduchess Marie Louise]], became the second wife of [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon I, Emperor of the French]], who was later deposed.


Ferdinand and Maria Caroline's children were:
Ferdinand and Maria Caroline's children were:
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!Name!!Birth!!Death!!Notes
!Name!!Birth!!Death!!Notes
|-
|-
| [[Maria Teresa of the Two Sicilies|Maria Teresa Carolina Giuseppina]] || [[June 6]] [[1772]] || [[April 13]] [[1807]] || married her [[double first cousin]] [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis II of Austria]], had issue.
| [[Maria Teresa of Naples and Sicily|Maria Teresa Carolina Giuseppina]] || [[June 6]] [[1772]] || [[April 13]] [[1807]] || married her [[double first cousin]] [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis II of Austria]], had issue.
|-
|-
| [[Luisa of the Two Sicilies|Maria Luisa Amelia Teresa]] || [[July 27]] [[1773]] || [[September 19]] [[1802]] || married her [[double first cousin]] [[Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany]], had issue.
| [[Princess Luisa of Naples and Sicily|Maria Luisa Amelia Teresa]] || [[July 27]] [[1773]] || [[September 19]] [[1802]] || married her [[double first cousin]] [[Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany]], had issue.
|-
|-
| Carlo Francesco Giuseppe Gennaro|| [[January 6]] [[1775]] || [[December 17]] [[1778]] || died in childhood.
| Carlo Francesco Giuseppe Gennaro|| [[January 6]] [[1775]] || [[December 17]] [[1778]] || died in childhood.
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==Later Years==
==Later Years==


In 1806, her husband was deposed as King of Naples (thus deposing her as ''de facto'' ruler) by [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]. However, Maria Carolina retained her status and power in Sicily until 1812, when her husband essentially (but not officially) abdicated, appointing his son [[Francis I of the Two Sicilies|Francis]] regent, which deprived the queen of her influence, and Maria Carolina was exiled to her homeland Austria, where she died in 1814. After her death, her husband became subservient to the will of Austria with his top advisor Maria Carolina gone.
In [[1806]], her husband was deposed as King of Naples (thus deposing her as ''de facto'' ruler) by [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]. However, Maria Carolina retained her status and power in Sicily until 1812, when her husband essentially (but not officially) abdicated, appointing his son [[Francis I of the Two Sicilies|Francis]] regent, which deprived the queen of her influence, and Maria Carolina was exiled to her homeland Austria, where she died in 1814. After her death, her husband became subservient to the will of Austria with his top advisor Maria Carolina gone.

⚫
===Titles and styles===
⚫
*'''13 August 1752 – 7 April 1768''': ''[[Her Royal Highness]]'' Archduchess Maria Carolina Princess Imperial of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, Princess of Tuscany
⚫
*'''7 April 1768 – 8 September 1814''': ''Her Majesty'' The Queen of Naples and Sicily


== Ancestry ==
== Ancestry ==
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|3= 3. [[Maria Theresa of Austria|Maria Theresa of Austria<br>Queen of Hungary & Bohemia]]
|3= 3. [[Maria Theresa of Austria|Maria Theresa of Austria<br>Queen of Hungary & Bohemia]]
|4= 4. [[Leopold, Duke of Lorraine]]
|4= 4. [[Leopold, Duke of Lorraine]]
|5= 5. [[Élisabeth Charlotte of Orléans|Princess Élisabeth Charlotte of Orléans]]
|5= 5. [[Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans|Princess Élisabeth Charlotte of Orléans]]
|6= 6. [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor]]
|6= 6. [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor]]
|7= 7. [[Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel]]
|7= 7. [[Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel]]
Line 147: Line 150:
|9= 9. [[Eleonora Maria Josefa of Austria]]<br>Queen Dowager of Poland-Lithuania
|9= 9. [[Eleonora Maria Josefa of Austria]]<br>Queen Dowager of Poland-Lithuania
|10= 10. [[Philippe I, Duke of Orléans]]
|10= 10. [[Philippe I, Duke of Orléans]]
|11= 11. [[Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine|Countess Palatine Elizabeth Charlotte of Simmern]]
|11= 11. [[Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate|Countess Palatine Elizabeth Charlotte of Simmern]]
|12= 12. [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor]]
|12= 12. [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor]]
|13= 13. [[Eleonore-Magdalena of Neuburg]]
|13= 13. [[Eleonore Magdalena of the Palatinate]]
|14= 14. [[Louis Rudolph, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg|Louis Rudolph, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel]]
|14= 14. [[Louis Rudolph, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg|Louis Rudolph, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel]]
|15= 15. [[Princess Christine Louise of Oettingen-Oettingen]]
|15= 15. [[Princess Christine Louise of Oettingen-Oettingen]]
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{{ahnentafel bottom}}
{{ahnentafel bottom}}


==Titles==
==Titles, styles, honours and arms==
⚫
{{infobox consortstyles|royal name=Queen Maria Carolina|dipstyle=[[Majesty|Her Majesty]]|offstyle=Your Majesty|image=|altstyle=Ma'am}}
⚫
===Titles and styles===


⚫
*'''[[August 13|13 August]] [[1752]] – [[April 7|7 April]] [[1768]]''': ''[[Imperial and Royal Highness|Her Imperial and Royal Highness]]'' Archduchess Maria Carolina Princess Imperial of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, Princess of Tuscany
⚫
{{start box}}
⚫
*'''[[April 7|7 April]] [[1768]] – [[September 8|8 September]] [[1814]]''': ''Her Majesty'' The Queen of Naples and Sicily
⚫
{{s-hou|[[House of Habsburg|House of Habsburg-Lorraine]]|13 August|1752|8 September|1814|[[House of Lorraine]]}}
**'''[[January 23|23 January]] [[1799]] to [[June 13|13 June]] [[1799]]''' ''Titular Queen of Naples and Sicily''
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{{s-reg|}}
**'''[[May 26|26 May]] [[1805]] – [[1814]]''' ''Titular Queen of Naples and Sicily''
⚫
{{succession box one to two|before=[[Maria Amalia of Saxony]]|title1=[[Kingdom of Sicily|Queen Consort of Sicily]]|after1=[[Lucia Migliaccio of Floridia]] (Royal consort)|years1=[[12 May]], [[1768]]- [[8 September]], [[1814]]|title2=[[Kingdom of Naples|Queen Consort of Naples]]|after2=[[Parthenopaean Republic]]|years2=[[12 May]], [[1768]]-[[23 January]], [[1799]]}}
⚫
{{succession box|title=[[Kingdom of Naples|Queen Consort of Naples]]|before=[[Parthenopaean Republic]]|after=[[Julie Clary]]|years=[[13 June]], [[1799]]-[[30 March]], [[1806]]}}
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{{end box}}
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{{Austrian archduchesses}}
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{{Tuscan princesses}}
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{{The Bourbons of Naples and Sicily (1735–1816)}}
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{{Commons2|Maria Karolina of Austria}}



===Footnotes===
⚫
===References===
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100% align="center"
|-
! style="background:#ccccff;"|References and Reading
|-
|
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


'''Relevant Reading'''
⚫
==References==

*{{cite book |last= Fraser |first=Antonia |authorlink=Antonia Fraser |title= Marie Antoinette, The Journey |year=2001}}
*{{cite book |last= Fraser |first=Antonia |authorlink=Antonia Fraser |title= Marie Antoinette, The Journey |year=2001}}
*{{cite book |last= Vovk|first= Justin C.|title= In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa|year= 2008}}
*{{cite book |last= Vovk|first= Justin C.|title= In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa|year= 2008}}
*{{cite book |last= Bearne|first= Catherine Mary|title= A Sister of Marie Antoinette: The Life of Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples|year= 1907}}
*{{cite book |last= Bearne|first= Catherine Mary|title= A Sister of Marie Antoinette: The Life of Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples|year= 1907}}
*{{cite book |last= Acton|first= Harold|authorlink=Harold Acton |title= The Bourbons of Naples|year= 1957}}
*{{cite book |last= Acton|first= Harold|authorlink=Harold Acton |title= The Bourbons of Naples|year= 1957}}

==Further reading==
*[[R.M. Johnson, ed.]] ''Memoire de Marie Caroline, Reine de Naples''. (1912) Oxford University Press.
*[[R.M. Johnson, ed.]] ''Memoire de Marie Caroline, Reine de Naples''. (1912) Oxford University Press.
*[[Conte Egan Caesare Corti]] ''Ich, ein Tochter Maria Theresias: ein Lebensbild de Konigin Marie Karoline von Neapal''. (1950) Bruckmann.
*[[Conte Egan Caesare Corti]] ''Ich, ein Tochter Maria Theresias: ein Lebensbild de Konigin Marie Karoline von Neapal''. (1950) Bruckmann.
*[[John Cordy Jeaffreson]] ''The Queen of Naples and Lord Nelson. Vols. I & II''. (1889) Hurst & Blackett, Ltd.
*[[John Cordy Jeaffreson]] ''The Queen of Naples and Lord Nelson. Vols. I & II''. (1889) Hurst & Blackett, Ltd.
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==Titles==
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100% align="center"
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! style="background:#ccccff;"|Titles and succession
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{{Commons2|Maria Karolina of Austria}}
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{{s-hou|[[House of Habsburg|House of Habsburg-Lorraine]]|13 August|1752|8 September|1814|[[House of Lorraine]]}}
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{{succession box one to two|before=[[Maria Amalia of Saxony]]|title1=[[Kingdom of Sicily|Queen Consort of Sicily]]|after1=[[Lucia Migliaccio of Floridia]] (Royal consort)|years1=[[12 May]], [[1768]]- [[8 September]], [[1814]]|title2=[[Kingdom of Naples|Queen Consort of Naples]]|after2=[[Parthenopaean Republic]]|years2=[[12 May]], [[1768]]-[[23 January]], [[1799]]}}
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{{succession box|title=[[Kingdom of Naples|Queen Consort of Naples]]|before=[[Parthenopaean Republic]]|after=[[Julie Clary]]|years=[[13 June]], [[1799]]-[[30 March]], [[1806]]}}
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{{Austrian archduchesses}}
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{{Tuscan princesses}}
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{{The Bourbons of Naples and Sicily (1735–1816)}}
{{House of Habsburg-Lorraine after Maria Theresa}}
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[[Category:1752 births]]
[[Category:1752 births]]
[[Category:1814 deaths]]
[[Category:1814 deaths]]

Revision as of 23:42, 22 July 2009

Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria
Queen consort of Naples and Sicily
Tenure12 May 1768 - 8 September 1814
SpouseFerdinand, King of Naples and Sicily
Issue
More		Maria Teresa, Empress of Austria
Maria Luisa, Grand Duchess of Tuscany
Francis I of the Two Sicilies
Maria Christina, Queen of Sardinia
Maria Amalia, Queen of the French
Maria Antonia, Princess of Asturias
Leopold, Prince of Salerno
HouseHouse of Bourbon-Two Sicilies
House of Habsburg-Lorraine
FatherFrancis I, Holy Roman Emperor
MotherMaria Theresa of Austria

Maria Carolina of Austria, Queen Consort of Naples and Sicily (Template:Lang-de; Template:Lang-it; 13 August 1752 – 8 September 1814), born Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria (Template:Lang-de), and later becoming Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and Sicily (Template:Lang-it) was Queen consort and de facto ruler of Naples from 1768 to 1799 and from 1799 to 1806, and of Sicily from 1768 until her death in 1814, though she had lost the de facto power in 1812. She was born an Austrian Archduchess and was a sister of Queen Marie Antoinette of France.

Biography

Maria Carolina Louise Josepha Joanna Antonia of Austria, Princess Imperial and Archduchess of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, Princess of Tuscany was born on 13 August 1752 at the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna. She was the 13th child and the 6th surviving daughter of Maria Theresa, the reigning Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor.

Nicknamed "Charlotte," a name her mother the empress had always liked, her names were chosen for illustrious forebearers. Maria was for the Virgin Mary, Caroline was for Maria Theresa's father, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, Louise was for her godfather, Louis XV of France, Josepha was for her older brother the future Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, Joanna was for St. John the Apostle, and Antonia was for St. Anthony of Padua.

She and Marie Antoinette were the two youngest girls and were therefore raised together, almost as though they were twins. They were extremely close to each other and shared the same governess until 1767. They were both lively girls. While Marie Antoinette neglected her studies, Maria Carolina was a diligent student, but also had a strong, indefatigable personality: "Willful and impetuous, [she was] convinced that she had been born to rule." [1]

Along with her younger sister, Maria Carolina spent her time "playing childish tricks, making improper remarks, and longing for unsuitable amusements. On more than one occasion, Maria Theresa threatened her daughter by saying: "I warn you that you will be totally separated from your sister Antonia!"[2]

Despite these frustrations, her mother described Maria Carolina as the daughter who resembled her most, not only in looks but also in character and intelligence. In a letter to her then 15-year old daughter, Maria Theresa mother advised Carolina to work diligently at her studies in order to make the most of the gifts God has given her, not to be idle and seek unsuitable amusements, and encouraged her to be more gentle with her ladies-in-waiting and show a more mature and kindly attitude. Shortly after this letter, Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette were separated and Maria Carolina was placed under the governess of her choice. T

The older Carolina was told to be firm with the separation and to ignore the "little one" (as the Empress would sometimes refer to Marie Antoinette) when she made attempts to continue their old ways. She was also instructed to attach herself to her sister Archduchess Maria Amalia instead in order to help her develop a more mature behavior and outlook. Despite their separation, Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette would retain their great affection and concern for each other throughout their lives. Decades later, after the death of Marie Antoinette, the latter's daughter Marie-Therese-Charlotte, wrote to her aunt that her mother spoke often of Marie Carolina and that she had said she had been the sister Marie Antoinette loved most.

Engagement

Maria Carolina, as Archduchess of Austria

Maria Carolina's engagement occurred under the most unfortunate circumstances. Her older sister, the Archduchess Maria Josepha died from smallpox in 1767 at the Hofburg Imperial Palace; the 16 year old had caught it from her older sister Archduchess Maria Johanna Gabriela. Maria Josepha had been betrothed to marry King Ferdinand IV of Naples, the son of King Charles III of Spain and Maria Amalia of Saxony. Empress Maria Theresa was bound by an alliance with Charles to have one of her daughters marry his son.[3] After Maria Josepha died, Ferdinand was still expecting the "speedy arrival of a young wife," so the empress agreed to send Maria Carolina instead.

The young Maria Carolina was informed of her future marriage in 1767 and was due to marry him the next year. She "had heard enough about Ferdinand to dread...marrying him." She fought her mother tooth-and-nail over the issue. She cried, screamed, and begged to not marry the king of Naples, but it was no use.[4]

Marriage

Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies

Maria Carolina married King Ferdinand on 7 April 1768 at the Church of the Augustine Friars in Vienna. The ceremony was a proxy one, and her brother Archduke Ferdinand stood in for the King of Naples and Sicily. Later that day, she left Austria bound for Naples.

Her departure for Naples caused her and her family great distress. At the last minute, Carolina had sprung out her carriage to give her beloved Maria Antoinette a series of hugs. Later in a letter, she pleaded with her former governess to write her about her sister. Carolina was said to be extremely upset by the journey, especially upon crossing the borders of her mother's dominions into Italy. It was an immense relief to her that her favourite brother Archduke Leopold, Grand Duke of Tuscany ruling in Tuscany at that time, offered to accompany her on the last part of her journey to Naples.

On 12 May, 1768, she married the young Ferdinand IV of Naples who was also Ferdinand III of Sicily. The marriage took place at the vast Caserta Palace where the couple had their honeymoon[5]. Ferdinand was intelligent but very indolent, and Maria Carolina took advantage of that to assume control of the affairs of the kingdom. Her first few months in Naples were extremely distressing to her and she wrote her mother that she would prefer to die than relive her first few weeks there and that she would have taken her life if not for her faith in and love for God. She would also write to her mother that marriage is hard enough with her husband but to pretend to be content with it (as advised by her mother) was an even greater burden.

The young Maria Carolina spoke Italian poorly; he spoke no German (the Austrian court of her childhood had been bought up to speak French) and not much Italian, for he was known as the "Re Lazzarone", the "Beggar (or rascal) King", a man who enjoyed hanging out on the streets with the unwashed masses and who spoke mainly their dialect. Ferdinand was, by all accounts, a good-natured lunkhead and vulgarian. After their first night together, he told his servants that Caroline "slept like the dead and snored like a pig."<ref<[1]</ref>

Her mother encouraged her daughter to make the most of the marriage, saying that marriage is the most important thing in life. Her mother also advised her that, "Above all, she must try to understand her ill-educated but well-meaning husband". In time, Maria Carolina resigned herself to her marriage and was very good mother to her children and very kind to other family members, in addition to carefully supervising her children's education. In the future, her sister Marie Antoinette was also praised as a good mother.

Her youngest daughter Maria Antonia wrote to her in despair from Spain, "Mother, you have been deceived. For you are too good a mother to have sacrificed me like this if you had known." in reference to her marriage and the treatment of her mother in-law, Maria Luisa of Parma, who was Queen of Spain at that time. Queen Maria Carolina and Queen Maria Luisa were bitter enemies yet she loved her daughter-in-law Maria Isabella of Spain very much despite the fact that Maria Isabella was the daughter of her enemy (and was rumored to be fathered not by King Charles IV but by the Prime Minister Godoy) - a clear contrast of the treatment by Maria Luisa to Maria Antonia. She was very much embittered by the French revolution and hated Napoleon I, yet she was fond of her great grandson, Napoleon II, despite her horror that her granddaughter Archduchess Marie Louise was to marry Napoleon I.

Birth of an Heir

On 14 August, 1777, when she gave birth to a male heir, Francis, she became a Counsellor of State, and she took advantage of this position of political influence. She inherited much of her mother's intelligence, but was also ambitious and cruel, wanting to raise the kingdom to a position of power. She was effective, ruthless and strongwilled and was seen as a foreigner who tried to reform the kingdom with strange methods. She became very unpopular with the young liberals and the conservative nobles alike.

She did all she had been brought up to do, but failed in one essential way: she neglected her role as mother of the nation.

One of her daughters, Princess Maria Teresa, became the wife of the Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor. Another daughter, Princess Maria Amalia became queen consort of France, like Maria Carolina's sister, Marie Antoinette - this, after the eldest daughter of Maria Teresa, Archduchess Marie Louise, became the second wife of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, who was later deposed.

Ferdinand and Maria Caroline's children were:

Issue

Name Birth Death Notes
Maria Teresa Carolina Giuseppina June 6 1772 April 13 1807 married her double first cousin Francis II of Austria, had issue.
Maria Luisa Amelia Teresa July 27 1773 September 19 1802 married her double first cousin Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, had issue.
Carlo Francesco Giuseppe Gennaro January 6 1775 December 17 1778 died in childhood.
Maria Anna Giuseppa Antonietta Francesca Gaetana Teresa Amalia Clementina November 23 1775 February 22 1780 died in childhood.
Francesco I Gennaro Giuseppe Saverio Giovanni Battista August 19 1777 November 8 1830 married his first cousin Maria Clementina had issue.
Maria Cristina Amelia January 17 1779 March 11 1849 married Charles Felix of Sardinia.
Maria Amelia Cristina January 17 1779 February 26 1783 twin of the precedent, died in childhood.
Carlo Gennaro Francesco April 12 1780 January 2 1789 died in childhood.
Giuseppe Carlo Gennaro January 18 1781 December 19 1783 died in childhood.
Maria Amelia Teresa April 26 1782 March 24 1866 married the future Louis-Philippe of France, had issue.
Maria Cristina July 19 1783 July 19 1783 died in childhood (lived few hours).
Maria Antonietta December 14 1784 May 21 1806 married her first cousin Ferdinand VII of Spain, no issue.
Maria Clothilde Teresa Amelia Antonietta Giovanna Battista Anna Gaetana Pulcheria February 18 1786 September 12 1792 died in childhood.
Maria Enrichetta Carmela July 31 1787 September 20 1792 died in childhood.
Carlo Gennaro August 26 1788 February 1 1789 died in childhood.
Leopoldo Giovanni Giuseppe Michele July 2 1790 10 March 1851 married his niece Maria Clementina (1798-1881), had issue.
Alberto Maria May 2 1792 December 24 1798 died in childhood, at sea during escape from advancing French armies.
Maria Isabella December 2 1793 April 23 1801 died in childhood.

Politics

The First Coalition

During the French Revolution, the queen actually sympathized with the French rebels until the French monarchy was abolished on 21 September, 1792. She further turned against the rebels with the execution of first her brother-in-law Louis XVI of France (21 January, 1793) and then her own younger sister Marie Antoinette (16 October, 1793).

The Queen and her husband were horrified, and Maria Carolina used her uxorious husband to bring the Neopolitan and Sicilian armies into the First Coalition against France. Peace was made in 1796.

Maria Carolina and Ferdinand I, King of the two Siciles, with their children(painting by Angélica Kauffmann)

The Parthenopaean Republic

Early in 1799, Naples had its own (albeit short-lived) revolution, which replaced the Kingdom of Naples with the Parthenopaean Republic. In June, restoration forces commanded by Cardinal Ruffo destroyed the republic, returning the royal family to control. Before entry of the British fleet, allied to the court and commanded by Lord Nelson into the Bay of Naples, a capitulation treaty had been signed by Ruffo giving many republicans safe-passage to France.

The king and queen, intent on crushing the republican spirit and showing no mercy to the rebels, worked through Lady Hamilton, wife of the British Ambassador and mistress of Lord Nelson - who was at the time the Queen's close friend and confidant - to dupe the republicans into putting themselves into a position in which they could be captured. Several thousand of them were summarily judged but only a handful actually hanged, among them scions of the oldest noble families of Napoli.

Later Years

In 1806, her husband was deposed as King of Naples (thus deposing her as de facto ruler) by Napoleon Bonaparte. However, Maria Carolina retained her status and power in Sicily until 1812, when her husband essentially (but not officially) abdicated, appointing his son Francis regent, which deprived the queen of her influence, and Maria Carolina was exiled to her homeland Austria, where she died in 1814. After her death, her husband became subservient to the will of Austria with his top advisor Maria Carolina gone.

Ancestry

Family of Maria Carolina of Austria
16. Nicholas II, Duke of Lorraine
8. Charles V, Duke of Lorraine
17. Princess Claude-Françoise of Lorraine
4. Leopold, Duke of Lorraine
18. Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
9. Eleonora Maria Josefa of Austria
Queen Dowager of Poland-Lithuania
19. Eleanor Gonzaga of Mantua
2. Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
20. Louis XIII of France
10. Philippe I, Duke of Orléans
21. Anne of Austria
5. Princess Élisabeth Charlotte of Orléans
22. Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
11. Countess Palatine Elizabeth Charlotte of Simmern
23. Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel)
1. Archduchess Marie Caroline of Austria
24. Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor (= 18)
12. Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
25. Maria Anna of Spain
6. Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
26. Philip William, Elector Palatine
13. Eleonore Magdalena of the Palatinate
27. Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt
3. Maria Theresa of Austria
Queen of Hungary & Bohemia
28. Anthony Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
14. Louis Rudolph, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
29. Duchess Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Sønderburg-Norburg
7. Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
30. Albert Ernest I, Prince of Oettingen-Oettingen
15. Princess Christine Louise of Oettingen-Oettingen
31. Duchess Christine Frederica of Württemburg

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Styles of
Queen Maria Carolina as consort
Reference styleHer Majesty
Spoken styleYour Majesty
Alternative styleMa'am

Titles and styles


References

Titles

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