Maria II of Portugal marries Auguste de Beauharnais (1835)

Queen Maria II of Portugal married Auguste de Beauharnais, 2nd Duke of Leuchtenberg, in Lisbon on 26 January 1835. The union followed a proxy ceremony in Munich in December 1834. Auguste, born in Milan, was the eldest son of Eugène de Beauharnais and Princess Augusta of Bavaria. He died in March 1835, leaving no heir to the Portuguese throne.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Maria II was restored to the Portuguese throne in 1834 after her uncle Miguel's abdication. She chose Auguste de Beauharnais as a consort who posed no threat to Great Powers due to his lack of reigning dynasty membership. The marriage was finalized by proxy in Munich on 1 December 1834, with Auguste receiving the Grand Cross of the Sash of the Three Orders as a wedding gift.

Marriage. Auguste arrived in Portugal shortly after the proxy ceremony. The couple were wed in person in Lisbon on 26 January 1835. Maria was fifteen years old at the time. Auguste, born in Milan, was the eldest son of Eugène de Beauharnais, Napoleon I's stepson, and Princess Augusta of Bavaria.

Aftermath. Auguste fell ill and died on 28 March 1835, only two months after the marriage. He was childless, leaving his younger brother as heir in Bavaria. Because he died before fathering an heir, he never became Maria's co-monarch, allowing Maria to continue the Braganza Dynasty.

People involved

Sources

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