Charles Felix of Sardinia
Charles Felix (Carlo Felice Giuseppe Maria; 6 April 1765 – 27 April 1831) was born a Prince of Savoy and was later the last mainline Savoyard monarch of Sardinia. He was a nephew of Charles III of Spain and cousin of Maria I of Portugal as well as son in law of Maria Carolina of Austria. He was King of Sardinia from 1821 to 1831.
| Charles Felix | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| King of Sardinia | |||||
| 12 March 1821 – 27 April 1831 | |||||
| Predecessor | Victor Emmanuel I | ||||
| Successor | Charles Albert | ||||
| Born | April 6, 1765 Royal Palace, Turin | ||||
| Died | April 27, 1831 (aged 66) Palazzo Chiablese, Turin | ||||
| Burial | Royal Basilica of Superga, Turin | ||||
| Spouse | Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily | ||||
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| House | House of Savoy | ||||
| Father | Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia | ||||
| Mother | Maria Antonia of Spain | ||||
Biography
Early life
Carlo Felice was born in Turin as the eleventh child and fifth son born to Victor Amadeus III and Maria Antonia of Spain. From birth he was titled as the Duke of Genoa and the Marquis of Susa from 1796. He was a younger brother of Charles Emmanuel IV and Victor Emmanuel I. He spent his childhood with his sister Maria Carolina, the Count of Moriana, living at the Castle of Moncalieri. He had a very closed character.
Marriage
He was married by proxy to Princess Maria Cristina of Naples and Sicily on 7 March 1807. She was a daughter of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and Maria Carolina of Austria, sister of Marie Antoinette.
Succession
He was not expected to ever succeed to the throne. However Charles Emmanuel never had any children and abdicated the throne on June 4, 1802. Victor Emmanuel I had four living daughters when he abdicated the throne in 1821. As the succession was regulated by the Salic Law, Charles Felix succeeded his brother on the throne. He and his wife died without issue after a reign of ten years. He was succeeded by the senior male of his House as Charles Albert of Savoy after he died in Turin at the Palazzo Chablais which had been given to him by his sister Princess Maria Anna.
Legacy
The Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa was named after him as well as the main road of the island of Sardinia, the Strada statale 131 Charles Felix, that connects the towns of Cagliari and Sassari-Porto Torres, realised in 19th century, is entitled to him.
Titles, styles, honours and arms
Titles and styles
- 6 April 1765 – 12 March 1821 His Royal Highness the Duke of Genoa
- 12 March 1821 – 27 April 1831 His Majesty the King of Sardinia