Carlos, Prince of Asturias

Carlos
Prince of Asturias
Portrait by Alonso Sánchez Coello, 1564
Born8 July 1545
Valladolid, Crown of Castile
Died24 July 1568(1568-07-24) (aged 23)
Madrid, Crown of Castile
Burial
HouseHabsburg
FatherPhilip II of Spain
MotherMaria Manuela, Princess of Portugal

Carlos, Prince of Asturias, also known as Don Carlos (8 July 1545 – 24 July 1568), was the eldest son and heir apparent of King Philip II of Spain. His mother was Maria Manuela of Portugal, daughter of John III of Portugal. Carlos was known to be mentally unstable and was imprisoned by his father in early 1568, dying after half a year of solitary confinement. His imprisonment and death were utilized in Spain's Black Legend. His life inspired the play Don Carlos by Friedrich Schiller and the opera Don Carlos by Giuseppe Verdi.