| Maria Beatrix of Austria-Este | |
|---|---|
| Consort of the Carlist pretender to the Spanish throne | |
| Pretence | 13 January 1861 – 3 October 1868 |
| Consort of the Legitimist pretender to the French throne | |
| Pretence | 24 August 1883 – 21 November 1887 |
| Born | 13 February 1824 Modena, Duchy of Modena and Reggio |
| Died | 18 March 1906 (aged 82) Görz,[1] Austria-Hungary |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Infante Carlos Infante Alfonso |
| House | Habsburg |
| Father | Francis IV, Duke of Modena |
| Mother | Maria Beatrice of Savoy |
Maria Beatrix Anna Frances of Austria-Este (1824–1906) (Italian: Maria Beatrice Anna Francesca d'Austria-Este) was a high aristocrat from the Austria-Este branch of the House of Habsburg. As daughter to the ruling Duke of Modena she was born archduchess of Austria-Este and princess of Modena. Following her 1847 marriage she became Infanta of Spain and Countess of Montizón. As the Duchy of Modena was absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy, after 1859 she lived in exile in Imperial Austria. According to the Carlist reading, in 1861-1868 she was the queen consort of Spain. According to the legitimist reading, in 1883-1887 she was the queen consort of France. Since 1853 she lived separated from her husband and did not claim any of the royal titles, though after 1868 she supported the claim of her oldest son, Carlos. Since 1872 she lived in monasteries, first in Graz and since 1898 in Görz.
- ^ most sources indicate Graz as the place of her death. However, her biographer who corresponded with Maria Beatrix at later stages of her life provides abundant details of her last days and leaves no doubt that she died in Gorizia, compare Manuel Polo y Peyrolón, La Madre de Don Carlos. Estudio crítico-biográfico, Valencia 1906, pp. 71-77