Miguel I of Portugal was born on October 26, 1802, in Lisbon, Portugal, the third (second surviving) son of King João VI and Carlota Joaquina. In 1807, at the age of 5, Miguel went with the rest of the royal family to Brazil, escaping from Napoleon’s armies, but returned with them in 1821 to Portugal. He was then—and remained—much under the influence of his Spanish mother, Queen Carlota Joaquina.
On his return, King John VI accepted the liberal constitution of 1821, but Queen Carlota refused to take the oath. When in 1823 the French overthrew the radical regime in Spain, Miguel led a military rebellion that dissolved the discredited Cortes in Portugal. His father promised an amended constitution but appointed liberal ministers, and on April 30, 1824, Miguel again led a military rebellion. When it faltered, his father reluctantly exiled him to Vienna (June 1824). When John VI died (March 10, 1826), his elder son, Peter, emperor of Brazil, became Peter IV of Portugal but constitutionally abdicated in favour of his daughter Maria, then seven years of age. She was to marry Miguel, who was to accept Peter’s constitutional Charter. Miguel swore to accept the Charter, returned to Portugal, and assumed the regency (February 22, 1828); however, he promptly fell under his mother’s influence, settled old scores, and had himself proclaimed king (July 7, 1828). He was so recognized by the Holy See, Spain, the United States, and Russia but not by the liberal monarchies. In 1830 the Duke of Wellington’s government in Britain was about to recognize him, but it fell. In 1831 Peter abdicated in Brazil, returned to Europe, and initiated a civil war. Miguel lost Porto, but the struggle was protracted; he was finally forced by foreign intervention to leave Lisbon and surrendered at Évora-Monte on May 26, 1834. He renounced the throne, departed for Genoa (where he cancelled his renunciation), and settled in Italy and Germany.
Miguel I of Portugal died on November 14, 1866.
Miguel I of Portugal was a regent of Portugal from February 1828 and self-proclaimed king from July 1828 to 1834, though his royal title was not everywhere recognized.
Miguel I received numerous awards, including the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Order of Christ, the Order of Santiago, the Order of São Bento de Avis, the Order of the Tower and Sword, the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa, the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Order of Saint Stephen (Hungary), the Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil), the Order of Charles III (Spain), the Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit (Two Siciles), the Order of the Holy Spirit (France), the Order of Saint Louis (France), the Order of Saint Michael (France) and the Order of the Thistle (United Kingdom).
In 1851, Miguel I of Portugal married Princess Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, by whom he had a son and six daughters.
John VI was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1816 to 1825.
Maria Isabel of Portugal was an Infanta of Portugal who became the Queen of Spain as the second wife of Ferdinand VII of Spain.
Maria Teresa, Princess of Beira, was a heir presumptive to the throne of Portugal between 1793 and 1795, until her short-lived brother António Pio was born.
Maria das Neves of Portugal was a member of the House of Braganza by birth.
Adelgundes, Duchess of Guimarães, was a member of the House of Braganza by birth.
Maria Theresa of Portugal was a Princess of the House of Braganza.
Maria José of Portugal was a Portuguese infanta, later Duchess in Bavaria by marriage.
Marie Anne of Portugal was Grand Duchess of Luxembourg as the wife of Grand Duke Guillaume IV and the country's regent in the name of their daughter, Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde.
Maria Antónia of Portugal was a member of the House of Braganza by birth.
Miguel of Braganza was the Miguelist claimant to the throne of Portugal from 1866 to 1920.
Pedro I was the founder and first ruler of the Empire of Brazil.
