King Carlos I (1863-1908) and Queen Amelia (1865-1951)

[Marengo]

This thread is about King Carlos of Portugal and his wife, Queen Amelia (nee Princess of France).

[Marengo]

A youtube video with lots of pictures of Dom Carlos life:

YouTube - Rei D.Carlos I Portugal

[Mandy]

Queen Amelia of Portugal

by Regina

Queen Amelia of Portugal, a French princess born in exile in England, married the heir to the Portuguese throne, a throne that became increasingly precarious during her husband's reign. She tried to find a meaningful role as Queen but was constantly attacked by the republican press. Her husband and eldest son were assassinated in front of her, and when her younger son was deposed after a short reign, she left Portugal, the country she had come to deeply love, and ended her life as she had begun it - in exile.

More...

[Elspeth]

This article is a really good account of Queen Amelia's life; for anyone interested in early 20th century monarchies, I recommend reading it. Regina worked really hard on it, and I think she's produced a real winner!

[Menarue]

I have just read the wonderful article by Regina about Queen Amelia. I have lived for years in Portugal but have never really read much about this Queen. The most I had ever heard was the dreadful day of the assassination of both her husband and son. I had no idea of her life and I was very moved by Regina´s description of such a sweet natured, loyal and, loving person. How dreadful that she had to go through all these trials and sorrows culminating in the assassination. A great tragedy. I really enjoyed such a scholarly work on this the last Queen of Portugal (at least for now) and how problems seem to follow her around, even her marriage causing the loss of a throne.
Thanks Regina, this is a biography that I will keep and read over and over again.
Menarue

[Regina]

Thanks Elspeth and Menarue for your nice posts, I am glad you liked Queen Amelia's story. Thanks for having read it till the end (!), it's a quite long article

[amandamrgt]

Regina, that was really one very good article. I knew virtually nothing about Amelia but now am quite captivated by her personality and life. Thank you for writing it!

[Elspeth]

Seems as though the article has been noticed at another royalty forum.

The Unofficial Royal Family Site :: View topic - September 28, 1865 – Birth of Amélie of Orleans

Well done, Regina!

[Menarue]

Congratulations Regina. It is nice to know that you are appreciated outside of your home forum.....

[Elspeth]

And another one...

Portuguese Monarchy - Monarchy Forum

Not sure if he saw the article at TRA or at the Unofficial Royal Forums, but it's all good!

[Regina]

Thank you, Elspeth, for your updates. I had no idea other forums members were aware of my article. It's good!

[Elsa M.]

Something that Regina will love to know...

O Blog da CMAG: 20 de Novembro - a marcar na agenda

The Casa Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves will exhibit, from November 20th to April 30th, part of the collection that Rémi Fénérol has bought from those who served D.ª Amélia, either in Portugal or in the exile.

The objects that are now to be exhibited include a selection of all kinds of stuff: clothes, personal objects, paintings, photographs, books, documents and diaries that once belonged to the Queen.

[JSP]

Thank you for the update.

I had heard from this exhibition and this spring I went to the museum and asked about it.
Sadly no one could advance a date.

I am looking forward to it.

And the Museum itself is a precious gem, a lovely villa in the heart of Lisbon, which once was the painting atelier of famous painter José Malhoa.

Wonderful collection of chinese porcelain, gathered by Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves.

http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa-Museu_Dr._Anast%C3%A1cio_Gon%C3%A7alves

[Regina]

wow! Can't wait for this exhibition...

Thank you so much, Elsa!

[Elsa M.]

Here are some of the pieces that are to be exhibited:

Expo D. Amélia 6 by blogdacmag

[Keith]

It all looks fascinating. Wish I could be there.

[Regina]

Another article about this Exhibition (watch the video)

The article says that 90% of the pieces are exhibited for the first time!

Besides the dresses, the visitors will see jewels, personal notes of some events she attended, sculptures, paintings, religious objects, two diaries (from the time she was a Red Cross's volunteer, during the first world war 1914 - 1918).

The last lunch menu of the royal family in Portugal can be seen too... This lunch ocurred on october 5 of 1910 (the regicide day).

This collection belongs to Rémi Fénérol. Before him, the pieces belonged to the families of the queen's servants.

As José Alberto Gonçalves (director of the Casa Museu José Anastácio Gonçalves) explains, Queen Amelia has a relevant status to the French since she was the last crowned queen born as a french.

I can't wait for November 20!

[JSP]

Originally Posted by Regina

Another article about this Exhibition (watch the video)

The last lunch menu of the royal family in Portugal can be seen too... This lunch ocurred on october 5 of 1910 (the regicide day).

I can't wait for November 20!

Actually, the regicide was on February 1st 1908.

On 5 October 1910, the republic was proclaimed, so I doubt that there was a royal lunch served with all the royal etiquette and with lunch menus .

On the 3rd October, the Portuguese Monarchy hold its last grand feast .
The President of Brazil was on a state visit to Portugal, the first since the Independence in 1822, and there was a great dinner party at the royal palace.

Shortly after the end of the reception, the revolution began.
King D.Manuel was living at Palácio das Necessidades which was shot by the royal navy which had rebelled.
D.Maria Pia was living in Palácio da Ajuda with Infante D.Afonso.
I supposeD.Amélia was also at the Necessidades.

On the 4th October the Royal Family left Lisbon, with a few loyal servants and secretaries, aide-de camps, ladies-in-waiting, etc., first to Sintra, then to Mafra, where they spend their last night in Portugal, before embarking in Ericeira to exile.

So it is hardly plausible that the menu would be of the 5th October...

I'll check it when I will visit the exhibition .

[Regina]

You're absolutely right, JSP!
I made a direct translation of parts of the article but I didn't check out the info.
I won't forget to check the menu on my future visit to the exhibition

[JSP]

Some corrections :

The Brazilian President Hermes da Fonseca arrived in Lisbon on Oct. 1st.
There was a banquet offered by the King the following day.
On the 4th Oct., the President paid his respects to the two Queens, D.Amélia and D.Maria Pia who were sejourneying in Sintra, D.Amélia at Palácio da Pena and D.Maria Pia at Palácio da Vila.
That night the President offered a dinner to the King at Palácio de Belém - not attended by either of the Queens.
As there were news of possible troubles in the capital, Infante D.Afonso, as the only other male of the Bragança-Saxe-Coburgo dynasty was sent to the Cidadela of Cascais.

So, when the revolution broke up, the (almost) infant king was alone in Lisbon.
From there, assisted by the doctor and great friend of the Royal Family, Thomas de Mello Breyner, count of Mafra (Miguel Sousa Tavares gr.grand-father) he drove to Mafra, where the rest of the family joined him.

D.Amélia was the first to arrive, oddly not with D.Maria Pia.
D.Manuel feared that, given her state of mind, his grand-mother might refuse being taken away, but things ran surprisingly well.
The last to arrive was Infante D.Afonso.

When the family was finally together, a light meal was served as the king had not eaten for at least 16 hours.
It had been cooked at the Count of Mafra's own house and it was served by his children.

From D.Manuel II
Circulo de Leitores

There is a whole chapter about the famous Pact of Dover I still had not the oportunity to read