H.R.H. Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro
H.R.H.
Prince Ferdinand,
Duke of Castro
was Head of the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and a key figure for the Bourbon Royal Family in the 20th century. Through his dynastic role, he contributed to the preservation of the tradition, historical identity, and cultural heritage of the Bourbon dynasty.
Prince Ranieri, Duke of Castro, passed away on January 13, 1973, at his home, the Castle of Saint-Sauveur.
A few years earlier, in 1966, Prince Ranieri had passed all his duties as Grand Master of the Dynastic Order of the Royal House to his son, His Royal Highness Prince Ferdinand (de jure Ferdinand IV), Duke of Castro and Head of the Royal Family of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.
His Royal Highness was born in Podzamcze, Poland, on May 28, 1926, and was the first member of the Royal Family to serve in the French Armed Forces. In 1949, Prince Ferdinand married Chantal, of the Counts of Chevron-Villette.
From this marriage, the couple had three children:
- Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (born in 1950)
- Her Royal Highness Princess Anna of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (born in 1957)
- His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria and Heir Apparent (born in 1963)
On March 20, 2008, in Draguignan, France, His Royal Highness Prince Ferdinand passed away and was succeeded by his only son, His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, as Duke of Castro and Head of the Royal House.
