Mary of Mercedes of Orleans and Bourbon. Queen Mercedes of Spain.

Mary of the Mercedes of Orleans and Bourbon (Palacio Real Madrid 1860 - ibid 1878) was Queen of Spain for her marriage to Alfonso XII.

Her full name was: Maria of the Mercedes Louise Fernanda Isabel Francesca Antonia Philippa Ramona Christine Amalia Rita Manuela Cayetana Joanna Josepha Joaquina Filomena Anne Therese Rafaela of Gaspara Melchora Baltasara Trinity All Saints of Bourbon and Orleans.

She was the fifth of the children of Anthony of Orleans, Duke of Montpensier, and Princess Louise Fernanda of Bourbon, sister of Isabel II of Spain. She spent her childhood in Seville city that always felt a special attraction. During the period of Democratic Presidential term had to go into exile. In 1874, the Spanish monarchy restored, Mary returned to Spain, settling with her family in Seville, in the Saint Elmo's Palace, which had been her family home.

Two years ago, Mercedes and her cousin Prince Alfonso had begun an affair, when she was 12. Despite the opposition of Isabel II to the wedding, because the confrontation she had with the Duke of Montpensier and the government's preference for a marriage with a European princess (one of the candidates was Princess Beatrice desired UK daughter of Queen Victoria), were imposed the wishes of King Alfonso XII, celebrated the wedding in 1878 in the Basilica of Atocha. He was the youngest Queen Consort of Spain, at 17.

The marriage was short by the untimely death of Queen Mercedes because of typhus five months later. He died in the Royal Palace in Madrid two days after his 18th birthday, accompanied at all times by her beloved husband.

The social impact that caused the untimely death of the beloved Queen Mary of the Mercedes and desolation of King Alfonso XII, who left the court withdrew the Palace Royal of Cold River became popular a tune from an old Spanish romance that became myth the love story between Alfonso XII and Mary of the Mercedes. This tune goes like this:

Alfonso XII Where are you going?
Where are you going yourself sad?
I'm looking for Mercedes
that I have not seen her.

Mercedes is already dead.
Dead is, that I saw her.

Four Dukes took her,
through the streets of Madrid.

Her face was waxen
and hands of ivory
and the veil that covered her
crimson.

Gold embroidered sandals
carried in her pretty feet
sewed by the Princess,
Princess Isabel.

The cloak that enveloped her
was rich velvet
and in gold letters read:
"has died face of heaven."

The horses of palace

do not want to walk,
because Mercedes has died
and want to wear mourning.

Since the flower died May
Flower died April,
White died the rose,
rose around Madrid.