Ceremonial, honors and funeral honors for the death of María de las Mercedes de Orleans and Borbón (I).

Abstract

The beginning of the reign of Alfonso XII, stands out for a fact from the political, diplomatic and dynastic point of view, such as the marriage with María de las Mercedes de Orleans and his death a few months after the marriage. The death of the Queen from the point of view of the ceremony, the protocol and the honors paid suppose, after the Democratic six-year term, the organization and coordination of such aspects from the vision of the monarchical restoration and with respect to the differences and similarities of the most immediate antecedents in relation to the death of a queen of Spain. After the death, a strict formal procedure is put in place that includes appointments to carry out the ceremony both in the Royal Palace and the different movements and transfers of the coffin until it finally reaches the Escorial monastery for burial. In addition, the death will activate by different institutions the decision-making and agreements for the development of funeral rites and honors, or in his case, as will happen with the Congress and the Senate, the creation of commissions to convey condolences to the King and also the cancellation of the ordinary sessions of said institutions. From the formal point of view, it is remarkable to have the possibility of analyzing the minutes that the Minister of Grace and justice drew up in this regard and published in the Madrid Gazette where the ceremony and the formal procedure to be followed before the death of the Queen and the detailed organization of the ceremony and tribute of honors. As well as, I must highlight the organization of funeral services by the Madrid City Council, the Provincial Council and the State Government. In short, the protocol organization and development of the ceremonial planned before said event occurred.