Genuine Bourbon

The Infanta Maria de los Dolores Victoria Felipa Mercedes Luisa Carlota Eugenia de Borbon y Orleans is a member of the Bourbon family whose dynasty was replaced in 1931 by Spain's second republic. Her sister married Don Juan, Pretender to the Spanish throne. The Infanta Dolores' first husband was Polish Prince Auguste Czartoryski, Duke of Klewan and Zukow.

Shortly before the war they went to Seville, bought a farm 20 miles outside the city and settled there with their small son. Prince Auguste died in 1946. The Infanta Dolores devoted herself to the young Prince Adan, whose education soon became a problem. Her father, the aging Don Carlos de Borbon y Sicilia, recommended as Adan's tutor a young man of good but impoverished bourgeois family, the son of an infantry general. Tall, handsome Carlos Chias Ossorio, 22, a Basque who had studied for the priesthood but quit before taking vows, arrived at the farm with a shabby suitcase and a brown bundle of books.

For the next three years Ossorio attended to Prince Adan's education, was sometimes to be seen escorting the Infanta Dolores on horseback excursions through the Andalusian countryside. The infanta's exalted rank and the 16-year difference in their ages stilled gossip.

One day a couple of months ago, Dolores' mother paid the family a visit, heard her grandson chide her daughter: "Mummy, why do you drive alone? You know perfectly well that Don Carlito does not want you to." Said Dolores' mother: "Since when, may I ask, has it been a tutor's business to give orders to his employer?" There was a family showdown that night. Dolores said that she would marry Ossorio. Don. Juan, head of the Spanish Bourbons and last court in family matters, was consulted. His verdict: absolutely impossible. Said Dolores: "I don't care. It is my last chance of happiness."

To make sure there was no mistake, she sent a typed release to the Seville newspapers announcing the marriage day. Grandees of Spain were shocked, implored Ossorio to give her up. Said one: "If Don Juan's orders are not to be respected in his own family, what hope is there?" Replied Ossorio: "I love Dolores. She is the one who must decide." Don Juan stripped her of her royal rights and prerogatives.

Last week Dolores and Ossorio were married by the family chaplain. No Mass was said, since, according to Spanish tradition, a Mass for a widow who remarries is not allowed. After the ceremony the weeping Dowager Maria Luisa embraced Dolores, said: "My daughter, since this is what you wanted, I pray God you may be happy." Prince Adan was the only one of the wedding party to wave goodbye. Said Prince Adan: "How wonderful! I love Don Carlito and I'll have plenty of holidays with no studying."

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