List of heirs to the Spanish throne
This is a list of the individuals who were, at any given time, considered the next in line to inherit the throne of Spain, should the incumbent monarch die. Those who actually succeeded (at any future time) are shown in bold.
From the personal union of the Crown of Castile and the Crown of Aragon until the accession of the first Bourbon monarch in 1700, the heir to the Spanish throne was the person closest to the Spanish monarch according to the male-preference cognatic primogeniture. From the accession of Philip V until the Pragmatic Sanction of 1830, the heir to the Spanish throne was the person closest to the Spanish monarch according to the Salic law.[1] The heir, whether heir apparent or heir presumptive, was often granted the title of Prince of Asturias.
Significant breaks in the succession, where the designated heir did not in fact succeed (due to usurpation, conquest, revolution, or lack of heirs) are shown as breaks in the table below.
| House of Trastámara (1516–1555) and House of Habsburg (1516–1700) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch | Heir | Relationship to monarch |
Became heir (Date; Reason) |
Ceased to be heir (Date; Reason) |
Next in line of succession | |
| Juana I | King Carlos I | Son | 14 March 1516 Became joint monarch with his mother |
12 April 1555 Mother died, became sole monarch |
Ferdinand I, Archduke of Austria, 1516–1527, brother | |
| Felipe, Prince of Asturias, 1527–1555, son | ||||||
| Carlos I | Ferdinand I, Archduke of Austria | Brother | 14 March 1516 Brother became joint monarch with their mother |
21 May 1527 Son born to king |
Leonor, Queen Dowager of Portugal, 1516–1526, sister | |
| Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria, 1526–1527, daughter | ||||||
| Felipe, Prince of Asturias | Son | 21 May 1527 Born |
16 January 1556 Father abdicated, became king |
Ferdinand I, Archduke of Austria, 1527–1528, uncle | ||
| Infanta María, 1528–1529, sister | ||||||
| Infante Fernando, 1529–1530, brother | ||||||
| Infanta María, 1530–1537, sister | ||||||
| Infante Juan, 1537–1538, brother | ||||||
| Infanta María, 1538–1545, sister | ||||||
| Infante Carlos, 1545–1556, son | ||||||
| Felipe II | Carlos, Prince of Asturias | Son | 16 January 1556 Father became king |
24 July 1568 Died |
María, Holy Roman Empress, 1556–1566, aunt | |
| Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia, 1566–1568, half-sister | ||||||
| Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia | Daughter | 24 July 1568 Half-brother died |
4 December 1571 Son born to king |
Infanta Catalina Micaela, sister | ||
| Fernando, Prince of Asturias | Son | 4 December 1571 Born |
18 October 1578 Died |
Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia, 1571–1573, half-sister | ||
| Infanta Carlos Lorenzo, 1573–1575, brother | ||||||
| Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia, 1575, half-sister | ||||||
| Infante Diego, 1575–1578, brother | ||||||
| Diego, Prince of Asturias | Son | 18 October 1578 Brother died |
21 November 1582 Died |
Infante Felipe, brother | ||
| Felipe, Prince of Asturias | Son | 21 November 1582 Brother died |
13 September 1598 Father died, became king |
Isabel Clara Eugenia, Co-Sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, half-sister | ||
| Felipe III | Isabel Clara Eugenia, Co-Sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands |
Half-sister | 13 September 1598 Half-brother became king |
22 September 1601 Daughter born to king |
Filippo Emanuele, Prince of Piedmont, nephew | |
| Infanta Ana | Daughter | 22 September 1601 Born |
8 April 1605 Son born to king |
Isabel Clara Eugenia, Co-Sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, 1601–1603, aunt | ||
| Infanta María, 1603, sister | ||||||
| Isabel Clara Eugenia, Co-Sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, 1603–1605, aunt | ||||||
| Felipe, Prince of Asturias | Son | 8 April 1605 Born |
31 March 1621 Father died, became king |
Infanta Ana, 1605–1607, sister | ||
| Infante Carlos, 1607–1621, brother | ||||||
| Felipe IV | Infante Carlos | Brother | 31 March 1621 Brother became king |
14 August 1621 Daughter born to king |
Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother | |
| Infanta María Margarita | Daughter | 14 August 1621 Born |
15 August 1621 Died |
Infante Carlos, uncle | ||
| Infante Carlos | Brother | 15 August 1621 Niece died |
25 November 1623 Daughter born to king |
Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother | ||
| Infanta Margarita María Catalina | Daughter | 25 November 1623 Born |
22 December 1623 Died |
Infante Carlos, uncle | ||
| Infante Carlos | Brother | 22 December 1623 Niece died |
21 November 1625 Daughter born to king |
Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother | ||
| Infanta María Eugenia | Daughter | 21 November 1625 Born |
21 July 1627 Died |
Infante Carlos, uncle | ||
| Infante Carlos | Brother | 21 July 1627 Niece died |
31 October 1627 Daughter born to king |
Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother | ||
| Infanta Isabel María Teresa | Daughter | 31 October 1627 Born |
1 November 1627 Died |
Infante Carlos, uncle | ||
| Infante Carlos | Brother | 1 November 1627 Niece died |
17 October 1629 Son born to king |
Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother | ||
| Baltasar Carlos, Prince of Asturias | Son | 17 October 1629 Born |
9 October 1646 Died |
Infante Carlos, 1629–1632, uncle | ||
| Cardinal-Infante Fernando, 1632–1634, uncle | ||||||
| Infante Francisco Fernando, 1634, brother | ||||||
| Cardinal-Infante Fernando, 1634–1636, uncle | ||||||
| Infanta María Ana Antonia, 1636, sister | ||||||
| Cardinal-Infante Fernando, 1636–1638, uncle | ||||||
| Infanta María Teresa, 1638–1646, sister | ||||||
| Infanta María Teresa | Daughter | 9 October 1646 Brother died |
28 November 1657 Son born to king |
Ferdinand IV, King of the Romans, 1646–1651, first cousin | ||
| Infanta Margarita Teresa, 1651–1657, half-sister | ||||||
| Felipe Próspero, Prince of Asturias | Son | 28 November 1657 Born |
1 November 1661 Died |
Infanta María Teresa, 1657–1658, half-sister | ||
| Infante Fernando Tomás Carlos, 1658–1659, brother | ||||||
| Infanta María Teresa, 1659–1660, half-sister | ||||||
| Succession uncertain[a], 1660–1661 | ||||||
| Succession uncertain, 1–6 Nov 1661 | ||||||
| Carlos, Prince of Asturias | Son | 6 November 1661 Born |
17 September 1665 Father died, became king |
Succession uncertain | ||
| Since the validity of the renunciation of María Teresa on her rights to the Spanish throne was contested, the succession was disputed among the heirs by cognatic primogeniture and the heirs established under the will of Felipe IV. The will entailed the throne on the heirs of his younger daughter Margarita Teresa. The following are the leaders of both lines: | ||||||
| Carlos II | María Teresa, Queen of France | Half-sister | 17 September 1665 Half-brother became king |
30 July 1683 Died |
Louis, Dauphin of France, son | |
| Louis, Dauphin of France | Nephew | 30 July 1683 Mother died |
2 October 1700 Renounced claim to the throne together with eldest son |
Louis, Duke of Burgundy, son | ||
| Philippe, Duke of Anjou | Grandnephew | 2 October 1700 Father and brother renounced |
1 November 1700 Granduncle died, became king on 16 November |
Charles, Duke of Berry, brother | ||
| Margarita Teresa, Holy Roman Empress | Sister | 17 September 1665 Brother became king |
12 March 1673 Died |
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1665–1667, first cousin[2] | ||
| Archduke Ferdinand Wenzel of Austria, 1667–1668, son | ||||||
| Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1668–1669, first cousin[3] | ||||||
| Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria, 1669–1670, daughter | ||||||
| Archduke Johann Leopold, 1670, son | ||||||
| Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria, 1670–1673, daughter | ||||||
| Maria Antonia, Electress of Bavaria | Niece | 12 March 1673 Mother died |
24 December 1692 Died |
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1673–1689, first cousin once removed[4] | ||
| Electoral Prince Leopold Ferdinand of Bavaria, 1689, son | ||||||
| Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1689–1690, first cousin once removed[5] | ||||||
| Electoral Prince Anton of Bavaria, 1690, son | ||||||
| Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1690–1692, first cousin once removed[6] | ||||||
| Electoral Prince Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria, 1692, son | ||||||
| Electoral Prince Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria | Grandnephew | 24 December 1692 Mother died |
6 February 1699 Died |
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, first cousin twice removed[7] | ||
| Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor | First cousin | 6 February 1699 First cousin twice removed[8] died |
1 November 1700 First cousin died, rival claimant became king on 16 November |
Joseph I, King of the Romans, son | ||
| House of Bourbon (1700–1808) | ||||||
| Monarch | Heir | Relationship to monarch |
Became heir (Date; Reason) |
Ceased to be heir (Date; Reason) |
Next in line of succession | |
| Felipe V | Charles, Duke of Berry | Brother | 16 November 1700 Brother became king |
25 August 1707 Son born to king |
Succession uncertain | |
| Luis, Prince of Asturias | Son | 25 August 1707 Born |
15 January 1724 Father abdicated, became king |
Charles, Duke of Berry, 1707–1709, uncle | ||
| Infante Felipe, 1709, brother | ||||||
| Charles, Duke of Berry, 1709–1712, uncle | ||||||
| Infante Felipe Pedro, 1712–1719, brother | ||||||
Infante Fernando , 1719–1724, brother
| ||||||
| Luis I | Infante Fernando
|
Brother | 15 January 1724 Brother became king |
31 August 1724 Brother died, father restored as king on 6 September |
Infante Carlos, half-brother | |
| On 31 August 1724, Infante Fernando, who was only 10. Six days later, to avoid a regency and after much convincing and pressure, especially from Queen Dowager Isabel , Felipe V reluctantly accepted to be restored to the Spanish throne.
| ||||||
| Felipe V | Fernando, Prince of Asturias
|
Son | 6 September 1724 Father restored as king |
9 July 1746 Father died, became king |
King Carlos VII & V of Naples and Sicily, half-brother | |
Fernando VI
|
King Carlos VII & V of Naples and Sicily | Half-brother | 9 July 1746 Half-brother became king |
10 August 1759 Half-brother died, became king |
Felipe, Duke of Parma, 1746–1747, brother | |
| Infante Felipe, Duke of Calabria 1747–1759, son | ||||||
| Carlos III | Infante Felipe, Duke of Calabria | Son | 10 August 1759 Father became king |
5 October 1759 Excluded from succession |
Infante Carlos, brother | |
| Carlos, Prince of Asturias | Son | 5 October 1759 Brother excluded |
14 December 1788 Father died, became king |
King Fernando I of the Two Sicilies, 1759–1771, brother | ||
| Infante Carlos Clemente, 1771–1774, son | ||||||
| King Fernando I of the Two Sicilies, 1774–1780, brother | ||||||
| Infante Carlos Domingo, 1780–1783, son | ||||||
| King Fernando I of the Two Sicilies, 1783, brother | ||||||
| Infante Carlos Francisco de Paula, 1783–1784, son | ||||||
Infante Fernando , 1784–1788, son
| ||||||
| Carlos IV | Fernando, Prince of Asturias
|
Son | 14 December 1788 Father became king |
19 March 1808 Father abdicated, became king |
Infante Carlos María Isidro, brother | |
Fernando VII
|
Infante Carlos María Isidro | Brother | 19 March 1808 Brother became king |
6 May 1808 Father and brother abdicated |
Infante Francisco de Paula, brother | |
| House of Bonaparte (1808–1813) | ||||||
| Monarch | Heir | Relationship to monarch |
Became heir (Date; Reason) |
Ceased to be heir (Date; Reason) |
Next in line of succession | |
| José I | Zenaida Bonaparte | Daughter | 6 June 1808 Father became king |
11 December 1813 Father deposed |
Carlota Bonaparte, sister | |
| House of Bourbon (first restoration) (1814–1868) | ||||||
| Monarch | Heir | Relationship to monarch |
Became heir (Date; Reason) |
Ceased to be heir (Date; Reason) |
Next in line of succession | |
Fernando VII
|
Infante Carlos María Isidro | Brother | 4 May 1814 Brother restored as king |
10 October 1830 Daughter born to king |
Infante Francisco de Paula, 1813–1818, brother | |
| Infante Carlos Luis, 1818–1830, son | ||||||
Isabel, Princess of Asturias
|
Daughter | 10 October 1830 Born |
29 September 1833 Father died, became queen |
Infante Carlos María Isidro, 1830–1832, uncle | ||
Infanta Luisa Fernanda , 1832–1833, sister
| ||||||
Isabel II
|
Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier
|
Sister | 29 September 1833 Sister became queen |
12 July 1850 Son born to queen |
Infante Carlos María Isidro, 1833–1837, uncle | |
| Infante Francisco de Paula, 1837–1848, uncle | ||||||
| Princess Marie Isabelle of Orléans, 1848–1850, daughter | ||||||
| Fernando, Prince of Asturias | Son | 12 July 1850 Born |
12 July 1850 Died |
Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier , aunt
| ||
Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier
|
Sister | 12 July 1850 Nephew died |
20 December 1851 Daughter born to queen |
Princess Marie Isabelle of Orléans, daughter | ||
| Isabel, Princess of Asturias | Daughter | 20 December 1851 Born |
28 November 1857 Son born to queen |
Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier ,1851–1854, aunt | ||
| Infanta María Cristina, 1854, sister | ||||||
Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier ,1854–1855, aunt | ||||||
| Infanta Margarita, 1855, sister | ||||||
Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier ,1855–1857, aunt | ||||||
| Alfonso, Prince of Asturias | Son | 28 November 1857 Born |
30 September 1868 Mother deposed |
Infanta Isabel, 1857–1866, sister | ||
| Infante Francisco de Asís Leopoldo, 1866, brother | ||||||
| Infanta Isabel, Countess of Girgenti, 1866–1868, sister | ||||||
| House of Savoy (1870–1873) | ||||||
| Monarch | Heir | Relationship to monarch |
Became heir (Date; Reason) |
Ceased to be heir (Date; Reason) |
Next in line of succession | |
| Amadeo I | Manuel Filiberto, Prince of Asturias, Duke of Apulia | Son | 16 November 1870 Father elected as king |
11 February 1873 Father abdicated, monarchy abolished |
None, 1870 | |
| Prince Víctor Manuel, Count of Turin, 1870–1873, brother | ||||||
| House of Bourbon (second restoration) (1874–1931) | ||||||
| Monarch | Heir | Relationship to monarch |
Became heir (Date; Reason) |
Ceased to be heir (Date; Reason) |
Next in line of succession | |
| Alfonso XII | Isabel, Princess of Asturias | Sister | 29 December 1874 Monarchy restored |
11 September 1880 Daughter born to king |
Infanta María del Pilar, 1874–1879, sister | |
| Infanta María de la Paz, 1879–1880, sister | ||||||
| María de las Mercedes, Princess of Asturias | Daughter | 11 September 1880 Born |
25 November 1885 Father died, mother pregnant |
Infanta Isabel, Countess of Girgenti, 1880–1882, aunt | ||
| Infanta María Teresa, 1882–1901, sister | ||||||
| On 25 November 1885, Alfonso XII died while Queen María Cristina was pregnant, so the throne went vacant, depending on whether the unborn child was a male or a female: a male would make that child king, while a female would make the eldest daughter (María de las Mercedes, Princess of Asturias) queen. During this period, María Cristina ruled as regent until her third child, a son, was born on 17 May 1886; he was King Alfonso XIII from birth. | ||||||
| Alfonso XIII | María de las Mercedes, Princess of Asturias | Sister | 17 May 1886 Posthumous son born to the late king |
17 October 1904 Died |
Infanta María Teresa, 1882–1901, sister | |
| Infante Alfonso, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 1901–1904, son | ||||||
| Infante Alfonso, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies | Nephew | 17 October 1904 Mother died |
10 May 1907 Son born to king |
Infante Fernando, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 1904–1905, brother | ||
| Infanta Isabel Alfonsa, Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 1905–1907, sister | ||||||
| Alfonso, Prince of Asturias | Son | 10 May 1907 Born |
14 April 1931 Monarchy abolished |
Infante Alfonso, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 1907–1908, first cousin | ||
| Infante Jaime, 1908–1931, brother | ||||||
| House of Bourbon (third restoration) (1975–present) | ||||||
| Monarch | Heir | Relationship to monarch |
Became heir (Date; Reason) |
Ceased to be heir (Date; Reason) |
Next in line of succession | |
| Vacant | No recognised heir, 1947–1969[b] | |||||
| Juan Carlos, Prince of Spain | None | 22 July 1969 Appointed heir to the throne |
22 November 1975 Head of State died, became king |
Infante Felipe, son | ||
| Juan Carlos I | Felipe, Prince of Asturias | Son | 22 November 1975 Father became king |
19 June 2014 Father abdicated, became king |
Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo, 1975–2005, sister | |
| Infanta Leonor, 2005–2014, daughter | ||||||
| Felipe VI | Leonor, Princess of Asturias | Daughter | 19 June 2014 Father became king |
Incumbent | Infanta Sofía, sister | |
- ^ In 1660, Infanta María Teresa renounced her claim to the throne, in order to marry King Louis XIV of France. Later, the validity of her renunciation was contested, based on the fact that Spain failed to pay the dowry, which was pivotal for the succession of King Felipe V in 1700.
- ^ In 1933, Alfonso XIII's eldest two sons (Alfonso, Prince of Asturias and Infante Jaime) renounced their claims to the throne, so from then on Alfonso XIII's heir would be his third son, Infante Juan. In 1947, Francisco Franco restored the monarchy, confirmed by referendum, while appointing himself as Head of State for life. Having the power to appoint his successor, who would be king, Franco did not do so with Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, and in 1969 he appointed Infante Juan's eldest son, Juan Carlos, Prince of Asturias, considering him to be more likely to preserve the Francoist regime after his death, which did not happen, as in 1975, Juan Carlos I promptly promoted Spanish transition to democracy. Finally, in 1977, Infante Juan renounced his headship of the Royal House of Spain, recognising his son, the King, as such.
See also
- Line of succession to the Spanish throne