Miguel II, Duke of Braganza
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Miguel II of Bragança, in English Michael II of Braganza (September 19, 1853- October 11, 1927) was the 22nd Duke of Bragança.
He was born in Kleinheubach Castle near Miltenberg, Bavaria, during the exile in Germany of his father, former king Miguel I of Portugal. His mother was Adelaid, princess of Lowenstein-Wertheim-Rochefort-Rosenberg.
As the son of King Miguel, the duke was forbidden to enter Portuguese territory. Therefore, he was educated in Germany and Austria. He was a member of the staff of Franz Josef, emperor of Austria and took part in the occupation of Bosnia. It is said that the emperor liked the duke immensely and granted him the privilege of extra-territoriality that allowed him to remain Portuguese, despite the rejection of Portugal. During World War I, Miguel was one of the field marshals of the Austrian army until, in 1917, Portugal entered the conflict on the opposite side. Immediately he asked for exoneration and served the rest of the war as a civilian, in the Order of Malta. After the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Miguel and his family were thrown into relative poverty.
Miguel's descendants
- First marriage, with princess Elizabeth Thurn und Taxis (May 28, 1860 - February 7, 1881), on October 17, 1877 in Regensburg
- Miguel of Bragança (1878-1923)
- Francisco José of Bragança (1879-1919)
- Maria Teresa of Bragança (1881-1945)
- Second marriage, with princess Maria Theresa of Lowenstein-Wertheim
- Isabel Maria of Bragança (1894-1970), married Franz, prince Thurn und Taxis
- Maria Benedita of Bragança (1896-1971)
- Mafalda of Bragança (1898-1918)
- Maria Ana of Bragança (1899-1971), married Karl, prince Thurn und Taxis
- Maria Antónia of Bragança (1903-1973), married Ashley Chandler
- Duarte Nuno, Duke of Bragança (1907-1976)
- Maria Adelaide of Bragança (born 1912), married Nicolau van Uden
In 1920, after some family quarrels with his older son, Miguel II abdicated the duchy of Bragança for Duarte, only 13 years old.
Miguel died in Seebenstein, on October 11, 1927.
External link
- The Royal Family of Portugal - House Bragança (http://www.geocities.com/henrivanoene/royalportugal.html)