Carmine Caracciolo was a descendant of an old noble family of Naples and was a prince of the Holy Roman Empire.

When his father died in 1694, he succeeded him as Prince of Santo Buono, Duke of Castel di Sangro, Marquis of Buccianico and several other titles.

A cultured man of letters, he married Donna Giovanna Costanza Ruffo dei Duchi di Bagnara next year.

Philip V appointed him Viceroy of Peru in 1713 to replace the Marquis of Castelldosrius although he delayed some time in traveling to America.

In 1715, he embarked from Cadiz to Peru with his family and a court, but unfortunately his wife died during the travel giving birth to one of his sons.

He arrived in Cartagena de Indias on the warships of the Count of Vega Florida and entered Lima on October 5, 1716.