Ferdinand II | |
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King Ferdinand in 1861
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King of Portugal and the Algarves | |
Reign | 16 September 1837 – 15 November 1853 |
Predecessor | Maria II |
Successor | Pedro V |
Co-monarch | Maria II |
Born |
Vienna, Austrian Empire |
29 October 1816
Died | 15 December 1885 Lisbon, Portugal |
(aged 69)
Burial | Pantheon of the Braganzas |
Spouse |
Maria II of Portugal (m. 1836; d. 1853) Elise, Countess von Edla (m. 1869) |
Issue among others... |
Pedro V of Portugal Luís I of Portugal Infante João, Duke of Beja Infanta Maria Ana Infanta Antónia, Princess of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen Infante Fernando Infante Augusto, Duke of Coimbra |
House | Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry |
Father | Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha |
Mother | Princess Maria Antonia Koháry de Csábrág |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Signature |
Royal styles of King Fernando II of Portugal |
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Reference style | His Most Faithful Majesty |
Spoken style | Your Most Faithful Majesty |
Alternative style | Sire |
Dom Ferdinand II (Portuguese: Fernando II) (29 October 1816 – 15 December 1885) was a German prince of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry, and King of Portugal jure uxoris as the husband of Queen Maria II, from the birth of their son in 1837 to her death in 1853.
In keeping with Portuguese law, only after the birth of his son in 1837 did he acquire the title of king. Ferdinand's reign came to an end with the death of his wife in 1853, but he served as regent for his son and successor, King Pedro V, until 1855. He and Maria founded the House of Braganza-Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, which would rule Portugal until 1910.
Born Ferdinand August Franz Anton in Vienna, he was the eldest son of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and his wife Princess Maria Antonia Koháry de Csábrág, heiress to the House of Koháry. The younger Ferdinand grew up in several places: the family estates in modern-day Slovakia, the imperial court of Austria, and Germany. He was a nephew of King Leopold I of Belgium, and thus a first cousin to Leopold II of Belgium and Empress Carlota of Mexico, as well as Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and her husband Prince Albert.