Francis II of the Two Sicilies, born Francis Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies on January 16, 1836, was the last King of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. He ascended to the throne upon the death of his father, Ferdinand II, on May 22, 1859. His reign was short-lived and marked by significant political turmoil and the eventual downfall of the Bourbon dynasty in southern Italy.
Francis was the son of King Ferdinand II and Maria Theresa of Austria-Tuscany. His education was primarily focused on military training, reflecting the martial interests of his father. Despite being prepared for rule, Francis was not particularly noted for his political acumen or leadership qualities.
Francis II's reign began during a period of intense political and social upheaval in Italy. The Italian Unification movement, known as the Risorgimento, was gaining momentum, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies faced increasing pressure from both internal revolts and external forces:
After the fall of Gaeta, Francis II went into exile, first to Rome and later to Austria. He spent the rest of his life in various European countries, never returning to Italy. His court in exile was supported by his wife, Maria Sophia of Bavaria, whom he married in 1859. Francis died on December 27, 1894, in Arco, Tyrol, Austria, without any children, thus ending the direct Bourbon line of the Two Sicilies.
Francis II's reign is often viewed as a symbol of the old order's resistance to the forces of change and unification in Italy. His brief rule and the subsequent fall of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies marked a significant chapter in the history of Italian unification, highlighting the clash between traditional monarchies and the rising tide of nationalism and democracy.