Medal in celebration of the Head of the Brazilian Imperial House.

As you may or may not know, I'm a monarchist and I collect stuff related to the Brazilian Imperial House, and recently I found this medal made in 1953 by monarchists organizations to celebrate the His Imperial and Royal Highness the Prince Dom Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza, Head of the Brazilian Imperial House from 1921 to 1981.

I have seen one of these a couple of years ago at an online auction, but I couldn't afford it, and I wanted one ever since. Last month two of these showed up, and I got one. I have no idea how many were made but it sure wasn't a huge amount and I'm glad I got it.





So, a little about the Prince, his full name was Pedro Henrique Afonso Felipe Maria Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga de Orléans e Bragança, he was born in exile in 1909 in France, the great grandson of our second and last Emperor, his father, Prince Luís, died in 1920 from a serious illness contracted in the trenches of WW1, while Princess Isabel was still alive and was Head of the House. She died in 1921, and Prince Pedro became Head of the Imperial House at the age of 12. He married Prinzessin Maria Elisabeth Franziska Josepha Therese von Bayern, granddaughter of the King Ludwig III of Bavaria. They had 12 children.



In 1964, the Brazilian Army took power and a 24 year dictatorship started in the country. But before that, a group of Generals contacted the Prince and offered to restore the Monarchy, but the Prince answered “I will not use republican gimmicks to return to power. The Monarchy only returns by popular will, because only then will it be legitimate. ”

I had the pleasure of meeting one of his sons, Prince Bertrand, and one of his grandsons, Prince and Federal Deputy Luiz Philippe. I have pictures and autographs from both.

 

Thanks for the history info and for showing the medal.

 

You are very much welcome... That's a topic I like to talk about...