Gone Too Soon: Doña Cristina de Borbón y Hardenberg (1975-2020), a Cousin of the Spanish King

† Doña Cristina de Borbón y Hardenberg (1975-2020)

Doña Cristina de Borbón y Hardenberg

Doña Cristina de Borbón y Hardenberg died on Thursday, 13 February 2020, at Madrid. She had been admitted to the Puerto de Hierro hospital following an accident which led to her passing. Cristina was forty-four years-old. She was surrounded by her immediate family as she left this world. In addition to her parents, Cristina was extremely close to her sister Olivia, her brother Francisco, and their children. She will be terribly missed by all who knew her.

Announcement of the birth of doña Cristina de Borbón y Hardenberg in September of 1975.

Born at Madrid on 2 September 1975, doña Cristina Elena de Borbón y Hardenberg was the middle child of Francisco, Duke of Seville, and his first wife Countess Beatrice von Hardenberg. Cristina's parents had married in 1973. Cristina had one sister, Olivia (b.1974), and one brother, Francisco (b.1979).

Cristina and her mum Beatrice

Initially, Cristina studied Communications at the College for International Studies in Madrid. She then switched her focus to tourism and hospitality. Cristina moved to New York City, and enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education. After finishing studies there, Cristina interned at a number of high-end restaurants. She went on to found her own catering company in Spain. A great lover of humankind's best friend, Cristina was particularly fond of pugs.

Left to right: Countess Beatrice von Hardenberg, Hans Clarin, Cristina de Borbón, Count Hubertus von Hardenberg, Countess Christa von Hardenberg, Olivia de Borbón, with Princess Maria Josepha zu Fürstenberg in the front. (1997)
Photograph (c) Presse-Foto-Seeger

Cristina was the paternal granddaughter of Francisco de Paula de Borbón y Borbón (1912-1995) and Enriqueta Escasany y Miquel (1925-1962). Cristina's maternal grandparents were Count Günther von Hardenberg (1918-1985) and Princess Maria Josepha zu Fürstenberg (1922-2008). Cristina was a fifth cousin of King Felipe VI of Spain.

Several of Cristina's friends gave brief comments to the press outside the funeral home: "[She was] a great girl, so young... She was heavenly, she was super sweet, good, very fragile. A marvellous person." Another friend said, "I will remember her as one of the best people that I have ever known." Luis Alfonso de Borbón and his wife Margarita also visited Tanatorio Parque de San Isidro, where Cristina is resting in peace.

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Muy bonita

A post shared by Cristina De Borbon (@chunicriz75) on Jan 20, 2019 at 8:17am PST

May her memory be a blessing.

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Ancestry of Doña Cristina de Borbón y Hardenberg

1. Doña Cristina Elena de Borbón y Hardenberg (Madrid 2 September 1975-Madrid 13 February 2020)

Parents

2. Don Francisco de Paula de Borbón y Escasany, 5. Duque de Sevilla (b.Madrid 16 November 1943)
who married at Baden on 7 July 1973 (divorced 1989)
3. Countess Beatrice von Hardenberg (b.Donaueschingen 28 June 1947)

Grandparents

4. Don Francisco de Paula de Borbón y de Borbón (Santander 16 November 1912-Madrid 15 November 1995)
who married at Madrid on 4 November 1941
5. Doña Enriqueta Escasany y Miguel (Malaga 13 October 1925-Madrid 16 May 1962)

6. Count Günther von Hardenberg (14 February 1918-Baden 19 January 1985)

who married at Donaueschingen on 27 February 1943

7. Princess Maria Josepha zu Fürstenberg (Werenwag 23 April 1922-7 July 2008)

Great-Grandparents

8. Don Francisco de Borbón y La Torre (Madrid 16 January 1882-Madrid 6 December 1952)

who married on 21 August 1907

9. Doña Enriqueta de Borbón y Parade, IV. Duquesa de Sevilla (Madrid 28 June 1885-Valencia 5 November 1968)
10. Don Ignacio Escasany y Auzeill (d.Madrid 14 November 1973)

who married

11. Enriqueta de Miguel y Mas, 2. Marquesa de Pobla de Claramunt
12. Count Eberhard von Hardenberg (Charlottenburg 26 September 1889-Überlingen 30 April 1983)

who married at Wernigerode on 23 September 1913

13. Christa Maria von Dülong (Magdeburg 24 December 1893-Baden 28 October 1983)

14. Prince Maximilian Egon zu Fürstenberg (Praha [modern day Prague], Bohemia 31 March 1896-Donaueschingen 6 April 1959)

who married at Wechselburg on 18 January 1921

15. Countess Wilhemine von Schönburg-Glauchau (Glauchau 17 October 1902-Biberach an der Riss 25 September 1964)