Editing Charles III of Spain (section)

===Continued connection to Italy===
Charles was later given the title of ''Lord of the Two Sicilies''. The [[Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)|Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle]], which Charles had not ratified, foresaw the eventuality of his accession to Spain; thus Naples and Sicily went to his brother [[Philip, Duke of Parma]], while the possessions of the latter were divided between Maria Theresa (Parma and Guastalla) and the King of Sardinia ([[Piacenza]]).

Determined to maintain the hold of his descendants on the court of Naples, Charles undertook lengthy diplomatic negotiations with Maria Theresa, and in 1758 the two signed the [[Treaty of Versailles (1758)|Fourth Treaty of Versailles]], by which Austria formally renounced the Italian Duchies. Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia, however, continued to pressure on the possible gain of Piacenza and even threatened to occupy it.

[[File: Departure of Charles III from Naples.jpg|thumb|left|Departure of Charles from Naples, 1759]]

In order to defend the Duchy of Parma from Charles Emmanuel's threats, Charles deployed troops on the borders of the Papal States. Thanks to the mediation of Louis XV, Charles Emmanuel renounced his claims to Piacenza in exchange for financial compensation. Charles thus assured the succession of one of his sons, the protection of his brother Philip's duchy and, at the same time, reduced Charles Emmanuel's ambitions. According to Domenico Caracciolo, this was "a fatal blow to the hopes and designs of the king of Sardinia".<ref>Franco Valsecchi, Il riformismo borbonico in Italia, Rome, Bonacci, 1990</ref>

The eldest son of Charles, [[Infante Philip, Duke of Calabria]], had learning difficulties and was thus taken out of the line of succession to any throne; he died in Portici, where he had been born, in 1747. The title of [[Prince of Asturias]] was given to [[Charles IV of Spain|Charles]], the second-born. The right of succession to Naples and Sicily was reserved for his third son, [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|Ferdinand]]; he would stay in Italy while his father was in Spain. Charles formally abdicated the crowns of Naples and Sicily on 6 October 1759 in favor of Ferdinand. Charles left his son's education and care to a regency council composed of eight members, which would govern the kingdom until the young king was 16 years old. Charles and his wife arrived in [[Barcelona]] on 7 October 1759.