Princess Carolina of Parma

Carolina of Parma
Princess Maximilian of Saxony
Princess Carolina portrayed by Anton Graff, 1792
Born(1770-11-22)22 November 1770
Ducal Palace of Colorno, Parma
Died1 March 1804(1804-03-01) (aged 33)
Dresden Castle, Dresden
Burial
Spouse
(m. 1792)
Issue
Names
Italian: Carolina Maria Teresa Giuseppa di Borbone-Parma
English: Caroline Mary Theresa Josepha of Bourbon-Parma
German: Karoline Marie Theresia Josefa von Bourbon-Parma
French: Caroline Marie Thérèse Josèphe de Bourbon-Parme
HouseBourbon-Parma
FatherFerdinand, Duke of Parma
MotherArchduchess Maria Amalia of Austria

Princess Carolina of Parma (Caroline Maria Teresa Giuseppa; 22 November 1770 – 1 March 1804) was a Princess of Parma by birth, and Princess of Saxony by marriage to Prince Maximilian of Saxony. She was the eldest child of Ferdinand I, Duke of Parma, and Archduchess Maria Amalia of Austria.

Biography

Her full baptismal name was Carolina Maria Teresa Giuseppa Giovanna.[1] She was named after her godparents, her paternal great-uncle Charles III of Spain and her maternal grandmother Empress Maria Theresa.

Carolina was the eldest child of Ferdinand, Duke of Parma and his wife Maria Amalia of Austria. By the time of the visit of her maternal aunt Maria Christina in Parma in 1774, she was described as a beautiful but melancholic child.[2] Carolina and her brother Louis were the favorites of their parents. They were personally instructed in religion by their father, despite the fact that their younger children were actually more interested in the subject than them.[2] In 1778, her brother Luigi hit his head on a marble table while playing with Carolina, and afterward suffered from epilepsy.[2]

The mother of Carolina preferred her to marry a German prince. Reportedly, however, her marriage was not arranged.[2] Instead, her mother introduced Carolina to Maximilian during his frequent trips to Italy, and when the Parmesan Ducal family visited Saxony in the late 1780s, Carolina was able to spend time with Maximilian and reportedly fell in love with him.[2] Consequently, she was described as eager to marry him, and her mother Amalia gave her permission despite the fact that Maximilian was not the heir to a throne. The marriage and life of Carolina in Saxony are described as happy and harmonious.[2] When her mother moved to Prague in 1804, she was able to have more contact with her, though she was not able to visit her before her death.

Princess Carolina died of fever on March 1, 1804 in Dresden. More than two decades after, her husband married her niece Princess Maria Luisa Carlota of Parma.

Marriage and issue

Carolina married on 22 April 1792 in Parma (by proxy) and on 9 May (in person) Prince Maximilian of Saxony, fifth and youngest son of Elector Frederick Christian of Saxony. They had seven children; two of their sons became Kings of Saxony and one of their daughters married the King of Spain.

Name Picture Birth Death Notes
Maria Amalia María Amalia of Saxony by López Portaña Dresden, 10 August 1794 Pillnitz, 18 September 1870 Known as Amalia. German composer and dramatist under the pen names A. Serena and Amalie Heiter. Had no issue.
Maria Ferdinanda Maria Ferdinanda of Saxony, Grand Duchess of Tuscany Dresden, 27 April 1796 Schloss Brandeis, Bohemia, 3 January 1865 Known as Maria. Married on 6 May 1821 to Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Had no issue.
Frederick Augustus II Friedrich August II of Saxony Dresden, 27 April 1796 Brennbüchel, 9 August 1854 King of Saxony (1836-1854). Had one illegitimate issue.
Clemens Maria Joseph Clément de Saxe Dresden, 18 May 1797 Pisa, 4 January 1822 Known as Klemens. Had no issue.
Maria Anna Gaspero Martellini - Marianna Carolina di Sassonia - 1821 Dresden, 15 November 1799 Pisa, 24 March 1832 Known as Anna. Married on 16 November 1817 to Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Had three daughters.
Johann I Photograph of John, King of Saxony (1801-1873) Dresden, 12 December 1801 Pillnitz, 29 October 1873 King of Saxony (1854-1873). Married on 10 November 1822 to Princess Amalie Auguste of Bavaria by proxy and on 21 November 1822 in person. Had nine children.
Maria Josepha Amalia Luis de la Cruz y Ríos - Queen Maria Josefa Amalia of Saxony Dresden, 6 December 1803 Aranjuez, 17 May 1829 Known as Josepha. Married on 20 October 1819 to King Ferdinand VII of Spain. Had no issue.

Ancestry

References

  1. ^ Stanga, Idelfonso (1932). Maria Amalia di Borbone duchessa di Parma 1746-1804.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Justin C. Vovk: In Destiny's Hands: Five Tragic Rulers, Children of Maria Theresa (2010)