Prince Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria and Bourbon (Ferdinand Maria Ludwig Franz von Assisi Isabellus Adalbert Ildefons Martin Bonifaz Joseph Isidro; 10 May 1884 – 5 April 1958) was a prince of the House of Wittelsbach and Infante of Spain, the eldest son and child of Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria and Infanta María de la Paz of Spain. He became an Infante of Spain on 20 October 1905 and renounced his rights to the throne of the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1914.
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Early years
Prince Ferdinand María was born on 10 May 1884 at the Royal Palace of Madrid. His father was Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria, son of Prince Adalbert of Bavaria and Infanta Amalia of Spain. His mother was Infanta María de la Paz of Bourbon, daughter of Queen Isabella II and King Francisco de Asís. Through his mother, Prince Ferdinand María was a first cousin of King Alfonso XIII, who was two years younger than him. Through his father, they were first cousins once removed, Prince Ludwig Ferdinand being first cousin of King Alfonso XII. He was baptized at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
In 1886, when he was two years old, his aunt the Queen Regent awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III.