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Alfonso XIII

Royal Palace of Madrid, 17 May 1886 – Rome, 28 Feb 1941

14 facts3 sources

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About Alfonso XIII

Alfonso XIII: From Monarchy to Renunciation

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records Alfonso XIII’s birth at the Royal Palace of Madrid in 1886 and his death in Rome in 1941. He was the posthumous son of Alfonso XII and Maria Christina of Austria. Because his father had died the previous year, Alfonso became monarch at birth. 123456

Alfonso served as Spain’s monarch and head of state from 1886 to 1931. His mother, Maria Christina of Austria, served as regent until he assumed full powers on his sixteenth birthday in 1902. His reign ended in 1931, the year the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed. 78956

From 1931 to 1941, Alfonso was a pretender to the Spanish throne. He was also known as “El Africano,” a name associated with his Africanist views. In 1941, he renounced his inheritance rights in favor of D. Juan de Borbón, concluding his transition from reigning monarch to dynastic claimant. 10116

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

  • Born17 May 1886, Royal Palace of Madridnot verified1 source
  • TitleHead of State of Spain, 1886–1931or Monarch of Spain, 1886–1931 · Pretender to the Spanish throne, 1931–1941not verified1 source
  • TitleMonarch of Spain, 1886–1931or Head of State of Spain, 1886–1931 · Pretender to the Spanish throne, 1931–1941not verified1 source
  • TitlePretender to the Spanish throne, 1931–1941or Head of State of Spain, 1886–1931 · Monarch of Spain, 1886–1931not verified1 source
  • EventPosthumous birthor Resignation to the Head of State of Alfonso XIII, 1931 · Renouncement of the inheritance rights of Alfonso XIII in favor of D. Juan de Borbón, 1941not verified1 source
  • EventResignation to the Head of State of Alfonso XIII, 1931or Renouncement of the inheritance rights of Alfonso XIII in favor of D. Juan de Borbón, 1941 · posthumous birthnot verified1 source
  • EventRenouncement of the inheritance rights of Alfonso XIII in favor of D. Juan de Borbón, 1941or Resignation to the Head of State of Alfonso XIII, 1931 · posthumous birthnot verified1 source
  • Died28 Feb 1941, Romenot verified1 source
  • MotherMaria Christina of Austrianot verified1 source
  • FatherAlfonso XII of Spainnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 1886–1931

    Head of State of Spain

  2. 1886–1931

    Monarch of Spain

  3. 17 May 1886

    Born in Royal Palace of Madrid

  4. 1907–1929

    10 children are born

  5. 1931

    Resignation to the Head of State of Alfonso XIII

  6. 1931–1941

    Pretender to the Spanish throne

  7. 1941

    Renouncement of the inheritance rights of Alfonso XIII in favor of D. Juan de Borbón

  8. 28 Feb 1941

    Dies in Rome, aged 54

Family

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Parents

Partner

Children · 10

During his lifetime

He lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Royal Palace of Madrid.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1880s · Alfonso XIII is born in Royal Palace of Madrid

Who governed

In the news1888

Introduction of Emigration Regulations

The 1888 Emigration Act established the first formal regulations for citizens leaving the country as transatlantic emigration climbed to nearly 205,000 that year.

Music

The popular tango dance in flamenco cafes

In the late 19th century, the tango was considered the most fashionable and popular dance in flamenco cafés, known for its grace, picaresque style, and use of accessories like shawls.

The motor car. Carl Benz patented his three-wheeled Motorwagen, the first practical car powered by a petrol engine.Around the world · 1886

The motor car. Carl Benz patented his three-wheeled Motorwagen, the first practical car powered by a petrol engine.

supplied by Carl Benz to William Worby Beaumont · public domain

Daily life

Irregular school attendance due to child labor

Schooling was mandatory for children aged 6 to 9, yet attendance was often irregular as children were frequently pulled out of class to work, perform household chores, or care for younger siblings. Some families struggled to pay for necessities, leading to chronic absenteeism despite legal requirements.

In the news1853–1882

1853: Mass emigration to Latin America starts

From 1853 to 1882, 325,000 Galicians emigrated, marking a period of intense, large-scale migration to Latin American countries like Cuba and Brazil.

What people wore

Dancing fashion and skirt lengths

Women's festive dancing attire often included long tails, though young unmarried women were expected to wear shorter, ground-length skirts.

Getting around

Long hours for stagecoach travel

A journey by stagecoach between Manzanares and Granada took 30 hours, while a mule-drawn diligence trip from Granada to Jaen lasted nine hours.