Manuel II of Portugal

Rare card · No. 56377

Dom Manuel II (15 November 1889 – 2 July 1932), sometimes known as the Unfortunate (o Desaventurado) or the Patriot (o Patriota), was the last king of Portugal, reigning from 1908 until 1910. Manuel was born in the Palace of Belém, Lisbon, during the reign of his father, Carlos I. He was his third and youngest child. Before ascending the throne, he held the title of Duke of Beja. He received a traditional education. Manuel entered the naval school in 1907. He was never expected to be king, since it was expected that his elder brother would assume that role. After the regicide in 1908, which killed the King and the Prince Royal, Manuel, then 18 years old, became king. He reigned as constitutional monarch through an extremely volatile political climate which culminated with the end of nearly 800 years of monarchy in 1910. As king, he believed that it was his father's direct involvement in political affairs that caused his death, so he limited the use of his powers in influencing the government...

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