Francisco de Borbón von Hardenberg

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Don Francisco de Paula Joaquín de Borbón y Graf von Hardenberg-Fürstenberg (born 21 January 1979) is a Spanish-German aristocrat, television personality, and businessman. He is a relative of the Spanish royal family and the Grand Master of the Malta-Paris obedience of the Order of Saint Lazarus.

Early life and education

De Borbón von Hardenberg was born on 21 January 1979 in Madrid to Francisco de Borbón y Escasany, 5th Duke of Seville and Countess Beatrice Wilhelmine Paula von Hardenberg-Fürstenberg.[1]

He was educated at the American School of Madrid and Gulliver Preparatory School.[2] In 2001, he graduated from Barry University with a degree in sports management and business.[3][4]

Career

He worked as a sports manager and coach for various clubs before becoming a FIFA agent in 2005. He co-owns the company Alpha Trading.[3] In 2012, he joined the World Economic Forum's Forum of Young Global Leaders. That same year, he became a cast member on the American reality television series Secret Princes.[5][6]

In 2014, he was named Spain's "Entrepreneur of the Year" and received the Laurel de Platino award.[4]

He and his sister, Olivia, co-founded the Beatrice von Hardenberg Foundation, focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.[7]

Orders and societies

In 2009, de Borbón von Hardenberg became a member of the Grand Council and the Coadjutor Grand Master of the Order of Saint Lazarus.[8] He was appointed Grand Master ad interim of the order and was elected and installed as the Ordinary Grand Master on 5 May 2018.[3] He is also a Knight of the Principality of Asturias.[4]

He is a member of the Spanish society of the Sons of the American Revolution as a descendant of King Charles III of Spain, who gave an order to send firearms and medicines to the Patriots during the American Revolutionary War.[9]

Personal life

On 9 October 2021, he married Sofia Károlyi at Seville Cathedral.[3][10] The couple had been living together since 2016 and Károlyi gave birth to their son, Francisco Máximo de Borbón y Károlyi, in 2017.[3]

He did not inherit the Dukedom of Seville upon the death of his father in 2025 and submitted a claim to the title, against his older sister's claim, to the Spanish government.[4]

Arrest

According to news reports, de Borbón von Hardenberg was responsible for smuggling the largest cocaine shipment ever seized in Spain.[2]

On 2 February 2026, he was arrested by the Spanish police and charged with money laundering.[11] He was allegedly involved in a money laundering network established through an Irish-based cryptocurrency company he co-founded, Finetch Europe.[12] Francisco de Jorge, a judge on the Audiencia Nacional, said that there is "reasonable evidence" against de Borbón von Hardenberg and, after confiscating his passport, released him on a €50,000 bail.[2]

References

  1. 1."Death of Beatrice von Hardenberg". St-lazarus.net. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  2. 2.[2.2][2.3]Dorta, Irene; Gálvez, J.J. (12 February 2026). "The many faces of Francisco de Borbón, the aristocrat accused of laundering drug money". El País. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
  3. 3.[3.2][3.3][3.4][3.5]"The emotion of Francisco de Borbón at his wedding to Sophie Karoly". ¡Hola!. Madrid, Spain. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  4. 4.[4.2][4.3][4.4]Serrano, Elena (21 December 2025). "Why Francisco de Borbón Will Not Become the New Duke of Seville". Russpain. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  5. 5.Kondolojy, Amanda (August 16, 2012). "International Royalty Goes Undercover in America in 'Secret Princes'". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Archived from the original on October 14, 2013.
  6. 6."TLC television show info". Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  7. 7.de la Gama, Amparo (20 July 2021). "Olivia de Borbón, Covid and personal tragedy: "I have needed help"". Vanitatis. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  8. 8."Senior International Officers". st-lazarus.net. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  9. 9."Passing of our president, the Most Excellent Francisco de Borbon y Escasany, Duke of Sevilla". Spain Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  10. 10.Caaveiro, Ana (7 September 2021). "PRIMICIA: Francisco Joaquín de Borbón, hijo del Duque de Sevilla y hermano de Olivia de Borbón, se casa con su pareja, Sophie Karoly". ¡Hola!. Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  11. 11.Arellano, Adriana C. (3 February 2026). "Detenido Francisco de Borbón por presunto blanqueo en la trama del narcopolicía que emparedó millones de euros en su casa". ¡Hola!. Madrid, Spain.
  12. 12.Mulligan, John (4 March 2026). "Spanish royal Francisco de Borbon says he 'never intended' to be director of controversial Irish firm". Irish Independent. Dublin, Ireland. Retrieved 23 April 2026.