Mexico has a long and turbulent history (more than the blissful beaches of Cancun would imply), and after winning its independence from Spain it bounced between being a monarchy and a free republic several times during the 19th century. The first Empire lasted less than a year and was led by the first Emperor, Agustin de Iturbide, who had been a respected military figure in the war for freedom from Spain. He and his wife, Ana Maria, had ten children over the course of their marriage; their oldest son, Agustin Jeronimo, was the heir to a throne which very quickly ceased to exist. His life was exceptionally interesting.
Agustin Jeronimo was born in the Mexican city of Valladolid (same place as his mother was born). His parents were both aristocrats with ties to Spain’s nobility, and owned a lot of farmland as well as two haciendas. His childhood was spent with his mother and younger siblings at their home, while his father fought the Mexican War for Independence. When the boy was 14, he got the news that his father had been appointed the Emperor by Mexican Congress, and reportedly became so dizzy that he had trouble standing up.
He became the heir apparent to the throne, and was given the title Imperial Highness, Prince of Mexico. The family moved into the Palace of Iturbide, located in Mexico City. However, the monarchy fell apart ten months after it was established, as two generals in the army led a charge against the Emperor; Agustin Jeronimo and his family fled to Europe to escape death. While there, the young man went to the prestigious Ampleforth College in England.
In 1824, a year after being deposed, the former Emperor Agustin was convinced by his conservative colleagues in Mexico that it was safe for him to return, and so he, Ana Maria, and their two youngest children went back to their home. Unfortunately, Agustin was captured and executed, and his wife fled to the United States. Suddenly, Agustin Jeronimo technically became Emperor, though he never claimed power. Instead, he spent a few years in Venezuela (becoming friends with Simon Bolivar) and went on to become a Mexican Diplomat in the 1830s.
Agustin Jeronimo served as Mexico’s representative in the United States for three years, and then was transferred to London. When the second Mexican monarchy was declared in 1864, he gladly gave up his right to the throne, and lived for the rest of his days in New York City. He passed away in 1866, having witnessed the rise and fall of both Mexican Empires but never once participating as a royal despite his claim and titles. He never married and never had any legitimate children, and was buried in Philadelphia next to his mother.