Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marie Anne |
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Marie Anne by the mid 1890's
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| Grand Duchess Consort of Luxembourg | |
| Tenure | 17 November 1905 – 25 February 1912 |
| Regent of Luxembourg | |
| Regency | 19 November 1908 – 18 June 1912 |
| Born | 13 July 1861 Bronnbach Castle, Wertheim am Main, Kingdom of Württemberg, German Confederation |
| Died | 31 July 1942 (aged 81) New York City, U.S. |
| Burial | Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg |
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| House | Braganza |
| Father | Miguel I of Portugal |
| Mother | Princess Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal (born Maria Ana; 13 July 1861 – 31 July 1942) was a royal princess from Portugal. She became the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg when she married Grand Duke Guillaume IV.
Marie Anne also served as the regent of Luxembourg. She took on this role from 1908 to 1912. First, she ruled while her husband was ill. Then, she continued as regent for their daughter, Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde, who was still too young to rule.
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Her Early Life
Marie Anne was born at Schloss Bronnbach in Wertheim am Main. She was the fifth child of Miguel of Portugal, who was once the King of Portugal. Her mother was Princess Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.
Marie Anne was a member of the House of Braganza, a very old royal family. At the time she was born, her father was no longer king. Her family lived as guests in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even though they were in exile, her sisters made good marriages into other royal families across Europe.
Marriage and Family
Before she married, Marie Anne was considered as a possible wife for Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria. He was the only son of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. However, Rudolf did not like her, so she remained unmarried for several years.
On 21 June 1893, Marie Anne married Wilhelm, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg. He was the son of Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and belonged to the House of Nassau. Wilhelm was a Protestant, while Marie Anne was Catholic. They agreed that their children would be raised Catholic. This was important because most people in Luxembourg were Catholic.
Marie Anne and Wilhelm had six daughters:
- Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (1894–1924). She never married or had children.
- Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (1896–1985). She married her cousin, Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma.
- Princess Hilda (1897–1979). She married Adolf, 10th Prince of Schwarzenberg. They did not have children.
- Princess Antonia (1899–1954). She married Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria.
- Princess Elisabeth (1901–1950). She married Prince Ludwig Philipp of Thurn and Taxis and had children.
- Princess Sophie (1902–1941). She married Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony and had children.
Grand Duchess and Regent
Wilhelm IV became Grand Duke on 17 November 1905, after his father passed away. Marie Anne then became the Grand Duchess. Wilhelm was the last male member of the House of Nassau. Because of this, he made sure his daughter, Marie-Adélaïde, was officially named his future heir on 10 July 1907.
Marie Anne served as regent for her husband from 19 November 1908 to 15 February 1912. This was because he was very ill. After his death, she continued to be regent for her daughter, Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde. Marie-Adélaïde was still a minor, meaning she was too young to rule on her own. Marie Anne's regency for her daughter lasted from 25 February 1912 to 18 June 1912. Later, in 1919, Marie-Adélaïde gave up her throne to her younger sister, Charlotte.
Life During World War II
During World War II, the grand ducal family had to leave Luxembourg. They left just before Nazi troops arrived. They first went to France. After France surrendered in June 1940, the family received special travel papers. These papers allowed them to go to Portugal.
They traveled through Portugal and stayed in different places. Marie Anne stayed in Monte Estoril with her daughter, Grand Duchess Charlotte. On 3 October 1940, they boarded a plane called the Pan Am Yankee Clipper. They flew to New York City, and from there, they traveled to Canada.
Marie Anne died while in exile in New York. She passed away on 31 July 1942.
See Also
In Spanish: María Ana de Braganza, Gran duquesa de Luxemburgo para niños
- Descendants of Miguel I of Portugal
