Isabel Cristina Leopoldina Augusta Micaela Gabriela Rafaela Gonzaga de Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Bragança (1846-1921), better known as Princess Isabel, was the daughter of the emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II, and the Empress Teresa Cristina.
Princess Isabel is a well-known figure in our history for having been responsible for signing the Law of the Free Womb (1871) and the Golden Law (1888).
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Her name is part of some controversies regarding her position in relation to the slavery. Some see her as redemptive while others criticize her for not taking a more energetic stand against the practice.
Anyway, she received the title of The Redeemer, because of this historic act that removed the country from the slave system.
Let's see some fun facts about princess Isabel, heiress to the Brazilian throne, who never occupied it due to proclamation of the Republic.
Princess Isabel was declared heir to the Brazilian throne at the age of 11 months, after the early death of her brother, D. Afonso, in 1847. Therefore, she became heir presumptive (heir appointed in advance by means of a will).
In 1848, the third son of Dom Pedro II with Empress Teresa Cristina, Pedro Afonso, was born. As a male, Princess Isabel lost the post of direct successor to the throne.
However, this condition did not last long, as, like her older brother, Pedro Afonso died as a child, in 1850.
After the death of the second brother, the princess returned to the status of presumptive heir. As the emperors had a fourth daughter, Elizabeth continued as the official heir to the throne.
From the 1870s, Dom Pedro II began to delegate functions of head of state to Princess Isabel whenever she was absent from the country.
The first occasion was in 1871, when she sanctioned the Lei do Ventre Livre, which determined that no child born to a slave, born after the enactment of the law (September 28), would be slave.
The second moment was between 1876 and 1877, when the princess faced some personal and political problems.
This period was marked by an intense drought in the North East. At the same time, Freemasons and Catholics faced off in a tough political-religious struggle.
In addition, the princess had suffered an abortion, which made her choose to retire to Petrópolis (RJ).
The third and final occasion was between late 1887 and early 1888. This moment was marked by Princess Isabela's adherence to the cause abolitionist.
She clashed with the slave minister, Barão de Cotegipe, who resigned from his post. It was on this occasion that the princess signed the Lei Áurea, on May 13, 1888.
Princess Isabel was married to the French aristocrat, Count d'Eu. Together, they had three children, Pedro de Alcântara, Luís and Antônio.
The Conde d'Eu became known for his performance in the war in paraguay, a conflict in which he was one of the commanders of the Brazilian army.
He was responsible for ordering one of the biggest massacres committed in South America, which occurred during the war.
After the coup that dethroned the then emperor, Dom Pedro II, in November 1889, several movements emerged demanding the restoration of the monarchy in the country.
Both Navy Revolts fit into this context. The purpose of the conflict was to regain the throne and transfer it to Princess Isabel, who had gone into exile in Paris.
However, in order to prevent bloodshed, the princess denied this condition and preferred to give up the throne once and for all.
Princess Isabel died at the Castle d'Eu, in Paris, on November 14, 1921.
His remains were brought to Brazil in 1971 and buried in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, in the city of Petrópolis.
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