Philip IV of Spain marries once again

As it says on the tin, let's say Maria Anna of Austrian dies in 1661, shortly after giving birth to otl's Carlos II. Carlos as is well known was incredibly invalid due to the copious inbreeding in the family. Philip's other heirs are his daughters Maria Theresa and Margaret Theresa, one is married to Louis XIV of France, the other is engaged to Emperor Leopold I.

Philip's obviously not going to want France to get the Spanish throne, and he was famously reluctant to actually go through with Margaret's betrothal to Leopold.

So, the question is, who does he look for as a third wife. He's already quite old. Would he look to the Duchess of Montpensier, or to Portugal perhaps, or even to Princess Luisa Cristina of Savoy?
 
As it says on the tin, let's say Maria Anna of Austrian dies in 1661, shortly after giving birth to otl's Carlos II. Carlos as is well known was incredibly invalid due to the copious inbreeding in the family. Philip's other heirs are his daughters Maria Theresa and Margaret Theresa, one is married to Louis XIV of France, the other is engaged to Emperor Leopold I.

Philip's obviously not going to want France to get the Spanish throne, and he was famously reluctant to actually go through with Margaret's betrothal to Leopold.

So, the question is, who does he look for as a third wife. He's already quite old. Would he look to the Duchess of Montpensier, or to Portugal perhaps, or even to Princess Luisa Cristina of Savoy?

They're not giving him Catherine of Bragança. But the French might offer la Grande Mademoiselle, knowing because of her age, she's unlikely to produce live issue.

Austria has no one who's NOT in single digits. Savoy might offer Margherita Violante (she's just been spurned by Louis XIV so she might do it to avoid a convent). The two Farnese girls available have been discussed elsewhere and the d'Estes would be too French.
 
They're not giving him Catherine of Bragança. But the French might offer la Grande Mademoiselle, knowing because of her age, she's unlikely to produce live issue.

Austria has no one who's NOT in single digits. Savoy might offer Margherita Violante (she's just been spurned by Louis XIV so she might do it to avoid a convent). The two Farnese girls available have been discussed elsewhere and the d'Estes would be too French.

Oh interesting, in her mid thirties in 1661 was she not? Would that really limit her child bearing options? Would they consider Elisabeth Marguerite, her sister?

Margherita Violante seems like a possible option as well
 
Oh interesting, in her mid thirties in 1661 was she not? Would that really limit her child bearing options? Would they consider Elisabeth Marguerite, her sister?

Margherita Violante seems like a possible option as well

Perhaps. But la Grande Mademoiselle might be more interesting to the Spanish for her estates. Plus, Isabelle's humpbacked so that might count against her. Spain might seek to get a refund on partof Maria Teresa's dowry in a way: "France gets sold a bunch of la Mademoiselle's titles so to give her a dowry. The money to pay for those estates is Spanish gold that came in Maria Teresa's dowry"

IDK how likely this is though. Maybe @Velasco and @Valena would know more
 
Oh interesting that does seem likely, considering how they'd likely want to keep those estates within France and for Philippe himself
 
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