Brazilian imperial family

The Brazilian Imperial Family is a Brazilian dynasty of Portuguese origin that ruled Brazil, and currently, the House of Orléans-Braganza is the current heir of the country, with Bertrand, Prince of Brazil, great-grandson of the last emperor, Pedro II, as its head. The imperial family ruled the Empire of Brazil from 1822 to 1889, following the proclamation of independence by Prince Pedro of Braganza, who was later hailed as Pedro I of Brazil, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil. Family members are dynastic descendants of Emperor Pedro I of Brazil.

Family members are dynastic descendants of Emperor Pedro I of Brazil. Claimants to the head of the post-monarchical Brazilian imperial legacy descend from Emperor Pedro II of Brazil, including the senior agnates of two branches of the House of Orléans-Braganza; the so-called Petrópolis branch and Vassouras branch lines. Prince Pedro Carlos, Prince of Brazil (born 1945) heads the Petrópolis branch, while the Vassouras branch is led by his second cousin, Bertrand, Prince of Brazil.

Family rivalry erupted in 1946, when Prince Pedro Gastão, Prince of Brazil (1913–2007) repudiated the resignation of his late father, Pedro de Alcântara, Prince of Grão-Pará (1875–1940), for himself and his future descendants, when he made a non - dynastic marriage in 1908. Pedro de Alcântara was the eldest son of Empress Isabel I of Brazil (1846–1921) who, as eldest daughter of Pedro II and presumptive heir when he was dethroned, became the last undisputed head of the family after her father's death in exile in 1891. Pedro Carlos, Prince of Brazil is the eldest son of Pedro Gastão, Prince of Brazil. Bertrand, Prince of Brazil is descended from Isabel 's youngest son, Luís, Prince Imperial of Brazil (1878–1920) who, by a Bourbon princess, fathered Prince Pedro Henrique, Prince of Brazil (1909–1981). Bertrand is Pedro Henrique 's son by a Bavarian princess and maintains his dynastic claim to the same legacy. Following the tradition of the Portuguese monarchy abolished in 1910, they are considered members of the Brazilian imperial family.