SPAIN'S ROYAL HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20175, 8 February 1929, Page 11

SPAIN'S ROYAL HOUSE.

KING ALFONSO BEREAVED.

DEATH OF DOWAGER QUEEN.

Australian Press Association —United Service,

MADRID, Feb. 6

The death is announced of the Dowager Queen of Spain, known as Maria Cristina the Good,

Maria Cristina, Dowager Queen of Spain, was born in July, 1858, at Gross Seelowitz. She was a daughter of the Archduke Karl Ferdinand and the Archduchess Elizabeth of Austria-Este-Modena. Her eldest brother, the Archduke Friedrich, was commander-in-chief of the AustroIlunqarian forces in the Great War. At Madrid in November, 1879, Maria Cristina married King Alfonso XII. of Spain as his second wife. They had two daughters, the Infanta Maria de las Mercedes, and the Infanta Maria Theresa. The latter, who married Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria, died in 1923. King Alfonso XII. died on November 25, 1885. His widow thereupon became Regent. She was about to give birth to a child, and the hope of Spain that it would be a son was fulfilled. On May 17, 1885, the day of his birth, the infant was proclaimed King with the title Alfonso XIII. The Queen-Mother acted as Regent during the minority of her son, who took over the reins on May 17, 190?. She had a difficult task, for the Republicans and Carlists were plotting against the dynasty. With her advisers she decided to adopt the policy known as the pact of El Pardo, by which the Liberal leader, Sagasta, agreed to cooperate with the Conservatives in defending the throne. Later the Regent consulted the various party leaders in times of crisis, but in the end took the course she had decided upon. A zealous Roman Catholic, she relied on the support of the Vatican and the prelates, and did much in return to assist the Church, especially in the matter of the religious orders which were driven out of France in 1886, and were welcomed by her in Spain. Since relinquishing the Regency, Maria Cristina had lived in retirement in Madrid.