List of Heads of the Brazilian Imperial House
Encyclopedia
On September 7, 1822, Prince Pedro of Portugal, member of the House of Braganza
, heir apparent
to the Portuguese throne and the King
's representative in Brazil
, declared the country's independence from Portugal and proclaimed himself Emperor of Brazil.
The imperial title was officially bestowed upon him on October 12, 1822. This resulted in the Brazilian Declaration of Independence
. In 1825, his father, King John VI
of Portugal
, recognized the independence of the new state, the former Portuguese dominion.
Brazil had been officially elevated to the status of United Kingdom (with Portugal) in 1815, in the reign of Queen Maria I of Portugal
, by the Prince Regent Dom João (future John VI). Between 1815 and 1822, the kingdom was known officially as the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.
until 1889, and had two reigning emperors, both from the House of Braganza
:
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House of Braganza
The Most Serene House of Braganza , an important Portuguese noble family, ruled the Kingdom of Portugal and its colonial Empire, from 1640 to 1910...
, heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
to the Portuguese throne and the King
John VI of Portugal
John VI John VI John VI (full name: João Maria José Francisco Xavier de Paula Luís António Domingos Rafael; (13 May 1767 – 10 March 1826) was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves (later changed to just King of Portugal and the Algarves, after Brazil was recognized...
's representative in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, declared the country's independence from Portugal and proclaimed himself Emperor of Brazil.
The imperial title was officially bestowed upon him on October 12, 1822. This resulted in the Brazilian Declaration of Independence
Brazilian Declaration of Independence
The Brazilian Independence comprised a series of political events occurred in 1821–1823, most of which involved disputes between Brazil and Portugal regarding the call for independence presented by the Brazilian Kingdom...
. In 1825, his father, King John VI
John VI of Portugal
John VI John VI John VI (full name: João Maria José Francisco Xavier de Paula Luís António Domingos Rafael; (13 May 1767 – 10 March 1826) was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves (later changed to just King of Portugal and the Algarves, after Brazil was recognized...
of Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, recognized the independence of the new state, the former Portuguese dominion.
Brazil had been officially elevated to the status of United Kingdom (with Portugal) in 1815, in the reign of Queen Maria I of Portugal
Maria I of Portugal
Maria I was Queen regnant of Portugal and the Algarves from 1777 until her death. Known as Maria the Pious , or Maria the Mad , she was the first undisputed Queen regnant of Portugal...
, by the Prince Regent Dom João (future John VI). Between 1815 and 1822, the kingdom was known officially as the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.
Emperors of Brazil (1822–1889)
The Empire of Brazil remained a constitutional monarchyConstitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
until 1889, and had two reigning emperors, both from the House of Braganza
House of Braganza
The Most Serene House of Braganza , an important Portuguese noble family, ruled the Kingdom of Portugal and its colonial Empire, from 1640 to 1910...
:
- Pedro I of Brazil (1822–1831): Born in 1798, deceased in 1834. Was also King of Portugal for a few days in 1826, as Pedro IV.
- Pedro II of BrazilPedro II of BrazilDom Pedro II , nicknamed "the Magnanimous", was the second and last ruler of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the seventh child of Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil and Empress Dona Maria Leopoldina and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of...
(Regency 1831–1840; Reigned personally 1840–1889): Born in 1825 and deceased in 1891.
Pretenders to the Brazilian throne since 1889
- Pedro II of BrazilPedro II of BrazilDom Pedro II , nicknamed "the Magnanimous", was the second and last ruler of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the seventh child of Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil and Empress Dona Maria Leopoldina and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of...
(1889–1891) - Isabel (I) of BrazilIsabel, Princess Imperial of BrazilDona Isabel , nicknamed "the Redemptress", was the heiress presumptive to the throne of the Empire of Brazil, bearing the title of Princess Imperial....
(1891–1921): Born in 1846, died in 1921. Princess ImperialPrince Imperial of BrazilPrince Imperial of Brazil is the title created after the proclamation of independence of the Empire of Brazil, in 1822, to designate the heir apparent to the Brazilian imperial throne...
and former Regent of Brazil, she was the elder daughter of Pedro II; her husband, Gaston of Orléans, Count d'Eu, was considered, after the death of Pedro II, the de jureDe jureDe jure is an expression that means "concerning law", as contrasted with de facto, which means "concerning fact".De jure = 'Legally', De facto = 'In fact'....
"emperor-consort".
The Vassouras line
- Prince Pedro (III) Henrique of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Henrique of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza , was a great-grandson of the last emperor of Brazil, Pedro II, and one of two claimants to the abolished throne.-Early life in Europe:...
(1921–1981): Born in 1909, died in 1981. Grandson of Isabel, son and heir of her second son, Prince Luís of Orléans-Braganza (1878–1920). - Prince Luiz (I) of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Luís of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Luís of Orléans-Braganza is one of the two claimants to the defunct Brazilian throne, and head of the Vassouras branch of the Brazilian Imperial House...
(1981 - present): Born in 1938, the eldest son of Prince Pedro Henrique- Heir: Prince Bertrand of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Bertrand of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza is a member of the Imperial House of Brazil. According to the disputed claims of the Vassouras branch of the family, he is first in the line of succession to the defunct Brazilian throne, and consequently the current Prince Imperial of Brazil.-Biography:The...
(born in 1941)
- Heir: Prince Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza
The Petrópolis line
- Prince Pedro Gastão of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Gastão of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Gastão of Orléans-Braganza was one of two claimants to the Brazilian throne and head of the Petrópolis branch of the Brazilian Imperial House.-Biography:Prince Pedro Gastão was the son of Prince Pedro de Alcântara...
(1940–2007): Born in 1913, son of Isabel's eldest son, who had renounced all rights to the Brazilian throne for himself and his descendants. The validity of the renunciation was disputed by Pedro Gastão. - Prince Pedro Carlos of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Carlos of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Carlos of Orléans-Braganza is one of two claimants to the defunct Brazilian throne, and head of the Petrópolis branch of the Brazilian Imperial House.-Life:...
(2007 – present): eldest son of Pedro Gastão. He doesn't put in question the validity of the renunciation. Contrariwise, he declared himself a republican.- Heir Prince Pedro Thiago of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Thiago of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Thiago of Orléans-Braganza is a member of the Brazilian Imperial Family. According to the claims of the Petrópolis branch, he is the current Prince Imperial of Brazil and therefore first in line of succession to the defunct Brazilian throne.-Biography:He was born in Petrópolis the son...
(born in 1979)
- Heir Prince Pedro Thiago of Orléans-Braganza
Saxe-Coburg and Braganza line (not claimants)
- Prince August Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Braganza (1871–1934)
- Princess Teresa Cristina of Saxe-Coburg-Braganza (1934–1990)
- Prince Carlos Tasso of Saxe-Coburg-Braganza (1990–present)
Past members and some descendants of the imperial family
- Pedro I of Brazil (1798–1834)
- Maria II of Portugal (1819–1853)
- Prince Miguel of Brazil (1820–1820)
- João Carlos, Prince of BeiraJoão Carlos, Prince of BeiraInfante João Carlos of Portugal, Prince of Brazil was a Portuguese infante , son of heir to the throne Pedro, Prince of Brazil and Maria Leopoldina of Austria.-Ancestry:...
(1821–1822) - Januária Maria, Princess Imperial of BrazilJanuária, Princess Imperial of BrazilJanuária Maria of Braganza was a Brazilian princess and Portuguese infanta . She was the second daughter of Pedro I of Brazil and IV of Portugal and his wife Maria Leopoldina, Archduchess of Austria...
(1822–1901) - Princess Paula Mariana of Brazil (1823–1833)
- Princess Francisca Carolina of BrazilPrincess Francisca of BrazilFrancisca of Brazil was a princess of Brazil. She was a daughter of Pedro I of Brazil and IV of Portugal and his first wife Maria Leopoldina of Austria...
(1824–1898) - Pedro II of BrazilPedro II of BrazilDom Pedro II , nicknamed "the Magnanimous", was the second and last ruler of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the seventh child of Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil and Empress Dona Maria Leopoldina and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of...
(1825–1891)- Afonso Pedro de Alcântara, Prince Imperial of BrazilAfonso, Prince Imperial of BrazilDom Afonso was the Prince Imperial and heir apparent to the throne of the Empire of Brazil. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the eldest child of Emperor Dom Pedro II and Dona Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies, and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza...
(1845–1847) - Isabel Cristina, Princess Imperial of BrazilIsabel, Princess Imperial of BrazilDona Isabel , nicknamed "the Redemptress", was the heiress presumptive to the throne of the Empire of Brazil, bearing the title of Princess Imperial....
(1846–1921)- Pedro de Alcântara, Prince of Grão Para (1875–1940)
- Isabelle of Orléans-BraganzaIsabelle, comtesse de ParisPrincess Isabelle of Orléans-Braganza , became by marriage duchess of Orléans, of Valois, of Chartres, of Guise, of Enghien, of Vendôme, of Penthièvre, of Aumale, of Nemours and of Montpensier, dauphine of Auvergne, princess of Joinville, princess of Condé, etc., titular Countess of...
(1911–2003) - Pedro Gastão, Prince of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Gastão of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Gastão of Orléans-Braganza was one of two claimants to the Brazilian throne and head of the Petrópolis branch of the Brazilian Imperial House.-Biography:Prince Pedro Gastão was the son of Prince Pedro de Alcântara...
(1913–2007)- Prince Pedro Carlos of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Carlos of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Carlos of Orléans-Braganza is one of two claimants to the defunct Brazilian throne, and head of the Petrópolis branch of the Brazilian Imperial House.-Life:...
(b. 1945)- Prince Pedro Thiago of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Thiago of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Thiago of Orléans-Braganza is a member of the Brazilian Imperial Family. According to the claims of the Petrópolis branch, he is the current Prince Imperial of Brazil and therefore first in line of succession to the defunct Brazilian throne.-Biography:He was born in Petrópolis the son...
(b. 1979) - Prince Filipe of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1982)
- Prince Pedro Thiago of Orléans-Braganza
- Princess Maria da Gloria of Orléans-BraganzaPrincess Maria da Gloria of Orléans-BraganzaPrincess Maria da Glória Henriqueta Dolores of Orléans-Braganza, Duchess of Segorbe is a distant member of the Brazilian Imperial Family and the wife of the Duke of Segorbe...
(b. 1946) - Prince Afonso Duarte of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1948)
- Prince Manuel Álvaro of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1949)
- Princess Cristina Maria do Rosário of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1950)
- Prince Francisco Humberto of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1956)
- Prince Pedro Carlos of Orléans-Braganza
- Princess Maria Francisca of Orléans-Braganza (1914–1968)
- Prince João of Orléans-Braganza (1916–2005)
- Princess Teresa of Orléans-Braganza (1919–2011)
- Isabelle of Orléans-Braganza
- Prince Luiz Maria of Orléans-Braganza (1878–1920)
- Pedro Henrique, Prince of Grão-ParáPrince Pedro Henrique of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza , was a great-grandson of the last emperor of Brazil, Pedro II, and one of two claimants to the abolished throne.-Early life in Europe:...
(1909–1981)- Prince Luis Gastão of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Luís of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Luís of Orléans-Braganza is one of the two claimants to the defunct Brazilian throne, and head of the Vassouras branch of the Brazilian Imperial House...
(b. 1938) - Prince Eudes Maria of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Eudes Maria of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Eudes Maria Rainier Pedro José of Orléans-Braganza is a member of the Imperial House of Brazil...
(b. 1939) - Prince Bertrand Maria José Pio Januário of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Bertrand of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza is a member of the Imperial House of Brazil. According to the disputed claims of the Vassouras branch of the family, he is first in the line of succession to the defunct Brazilian throne, and consequently the current Prince Imperial of Brazil.-Biography:The...
(b. 1941) - Princess Isabel Maria of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1944)
- Prince Pedro de Alcântara Henrique of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1945)
- Prince Fernando Diniz of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1948)
- Prince Antônio João of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Antonio of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Antônio of Orléans-Braganza , whose baptismal name is Antônio João Maria José Jorge Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga de Orléans e Bragança e Wittelsbach, is a member of the Imperial House of Brazil...
(b. 1950)- Prince Pedro Luís of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Luís of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Pedro Luís of Orléans-Braganza was the son of Prince Antônio of Orléans-Braganza, and was expected, on the deaths of his father and childless uncles, to eventually become a pretender to the former imperial crown of Brazil....
(1983–2009) - Princess Amélia of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1984)
- Prince Rafael of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Rafael of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Rafael of Orléans-Braganza is a member of the Imperial House of Brazil...
(b. 1986) - Princess Maria Gabriela Fernanda of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1989)
- Prince Pedro Luís of Orléans-Braganza
- Princess Eleonora Maria of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1953)
- Prince Francisco Maria of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1955)
- Prince Alberto Maria of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1957)
- Princess Maria Teresa of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1959)
- Princess Maria Gabriela of Orléans-Braganza (b. 1959)
- Prince Luis Gastão of Orléans-Braganza
- Prince Luís Gastão of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Luís Gastão of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Luís Gastão of Orléans-Braganza was a member of the House of Orléans-Braganza, and was descended from the Brazilian Imperial Family.-Life:...
(1911–1931) - Princess Pia Maria of Orléans-Braganza (1913–2000)
- Pedro Henrique, Prince of Grão-Pará
- Prince Antônio Gastão of Orléans-BraganzaPrince Antônio Gastão of Orléans-BraganzaCaptain Prince Antônio Gastão of Orléans-Braganza MC; was a Brazilian prince who served in the forces of the British Empire during World War I.-Life:...
(1881–1918)
- Pedro de Alcântara, Prince of Grão Para (1875–1940)
- Princess Leopoldina of BrazilPrincess Leopoldina of BrazilPrincess Leopoldina of Brazil was a member of the Brazilian Imperial Family, the third child and second daughter of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil and his consort Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies. By marriage she was Princess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Duchess in Saxony...
(1847–1871) - Pedro Afonso, Prince Imperial of Brazil (1848–1850)
- Afonso Pedro de Alcântara, Prince Imperial of Brazil
- Princess Maria Amélia of Brazil (1831–1853)
See also
- History of BrazilHistory of BrazilThe history of Brazil begins with the arrival of the first indigenous peoples, thousands of years ago by crossing the Bering land bridge into Alaska and then moving south....
- Line of succession to the Brazilian throneLine of succession to the Brazilian throneThe Brazilian monarchy came to an end on November 15, 1889, following a military coup which overthrew Emperor Dom Pedro II. The current Brazilian Imperial Family is split into two branches: the Petrópolis and the Vassouras...
- Prince Imperial of BrazilPrince Imperial of BrazilPrince Imperial of Brazil is the title created after the proclamation of independence of the Empire of Brazil, in 1822, to designate the heir apparent to the Brazilian imperial throne...
External links
- Casa Imperial do Brasil Official Website of the Vassouras Line
- Imperial e Real Brazilian constitutional monarchy historic-cultural website
- Brasil Imperial.org