On 30 November 1886, in the Royal Palace of Madrid, he was baptised with the names Alfonso María Francisco Antonio Diego.

In 1899, Alfonso and his younger brother Luis Fernando were sent to England to be educated by the Jesuits at Beaumont College.

[4] He then continued in the Graf Zeppelin to New York City and visited President Herbert Hoover in Washington, D.C., before returning to Spain.

On 1 January 1933, Alfonso and some thirty other monarchist prisoners escaped in a boat, travelling 1800 miles to Lisbon.

[6] In 1937, after the start of the Spanish Civil War Alfonso returned to Spain to head the aerial forces of General Francisco Franco.

In 1912, King Alfonso XIII issued a decree restoring his title: I hereby restore the prerogatives, honours and distinctions corresponding to the condition of Infante of Spain, Knight of the Distinguished Order of the Golden Fleece, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III and many other graces and favors that by Me he has received".

[18] Upon the death of his father in 1930, Infante Alfonso inherited the title of Duke of Galliera in the Italian nobility.

In 1937, he renounced the title in favour of his son Álvaro and was therefore styled as Infante Alfonso of Orleans and Bourbon until his death.

[19] The Fundación Infante de Orleans, a foundation dedicated to the preservation of historical aircraft in Spain, established in 1989, is named in his honour.