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List of heirs to the Portuguese throne

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This is a list of the individuals who were, at any given time, considered the next in line to inherit the throne of Portugal, should the incumbent monarch die. Those who actually succeeded (at any future time) are shown in bold. Stillborn children and infants that died on the same day they were born are not included.

For much of Portugal's early history, there was no definite succession law, and potential heirs at any given time, especially when the reigning king had no son, may be partly a matter of conjecture.

The traditional Portuguese dynastic division of the monarchs is shown as breaks in the table below.

House of Burgundy (1139–1383)[edit]

Heir Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Next in succession Monarch
No recognised heir 1139–1147 Afonso I
Infante Henrique son 17 February 1147 born 7 October 1155 died none 1147–1148
Infanta Urraca 1148–1154, sister
Infante Sancho 1154–1155, brother
Infante Sancho son 7 October 1155 brother died 6 December 1185 became king Infanta Urraca 1155–1156, sister
Infante João 1156–1164, brother
Urraca, Queen of León 1164–1178, sister
Infanta Teresa 1178–1185, daughter
Infante Afonso 1185, son
Infante Afonso son 6 December 1185 father became king 26 March 1211 became king Infanta Teresa 1185–1186, sister Sancho I
Infante Raimundo 1186–1189, brother
Infante Pedro 1189–1207, brother
Infante Sancho 1209–1211, son
Infante Sancho son 26 March 1211 father became king 25 March 1223 became king Infante Afonso, brother Afonso II
Infante Afonso, Count of Boulogne brother 25 March 1223 brother became king 4 January 1248 became king Infante Fernando, Lord of Serpa 1223–1246, brother Sancho II
Infante Pedro, Count of Urgell 1246–1248, uncle
Infante Pedro, Count of Urgell uncle 4 January 1248 nephew became king 2 June 1258 died Teresa, Queen of León 1248–1250, sister Afonso III
Mafalda, Queen of Castile 1250–1256, sister
Sophia of Denmark 1256–1258, grandniece
Sophia of Denmark first cousin once removed 2 June 1258 granduncle died 25 February 1259 daughter born to king Ingeborg of Denmark, sister
Infanta Branca daughter 25 February 1259 born 1260 son born to king Sophia of Denmark, second cousin
Infante Fernando son 1260 born 1262 died Infanta Branca 1260–1261, sister
Infante Dinis 1261–1262, brother
Infante Dinis son 1262 brother died 16 February 1279 became king Infanta Branca 1262–1263, sister
Infante Afonso 1263–1279, brother
Infante Afonso, Lord of Portalegre brother 16 February 1279 brother became king 3 January 1290 daughter born to king Infanta Branca 1279–1288, sister Dinis I
Infante Afonso, Lord of Leiria 1288–1290, son
Infanta Constança daughter 3 January 1290 born 8 February 1291 son born to king Infante Afonso, Lord of Portalegre, uncle
Infante Afonso son 8 February 1291 born 7 January 1325 became king Constança, Queen of Castile 1291–1313, sister
Infanta Maria 1313–1315, daughter
Infante Afonso 1315–1317, son
Infante Dinis 1317–1318, son
Infanta Maria 1318–1320, daughter
Infante Pedro 1320–1325, son
Infante Pedro son 7 January 1325 father became king 28 May 1357 became king Infanta Maria 1325–1326, sister Afonso IV
Infante João 1326–1327, brother
Maria, Queen of Castile 1327–1342, sister
Infanta Maria 1342–1344, daughter
Infante Luís 1344, son
Infanta Maria 1344–1345, daughter
Infante Fernando 1345–1357, son
Infante Fernando son 28 May 1357 father became king 18 January 1367 became king Infanta Maria, Marchioness of Tortosa, sister Pedro I
Infanta Maria, Marchioness of Tortosa sister 18 January 1367 brother became king February 1373 daughter born to king King Pedro I of Castile 1367–1369, cousin Fernando I
?
Infanta Beatriz daughter February 1373 born 19 July 1382 son born to king Infanta Maria, Marchioness of Tortosa 1373–a. 1375, aunt
?
Infante Afonso son 19 July 1382 born 23 July 1382 died Infanta Beatriz, sister
Beatriz, Queen of Castile daughter 23 July 1382 brother died 22 October 1383 became pretender to the throne ?

Although King Fernando I had intended his daughter Beatriz to succeed (with her mother Queen Leonor as regent), she was an unpopular choice due to fears that her husband King John I of Castile would control the kingdom. After the 1383–1385 Crisis, Fernando's illegitimate half-brother João, Grand Master of the Order of Aviz became king.

House of Aviz (1385–1580)[edit]

Heir Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Next in succession Monarch
No recognised heir 1385–1388 João I
Infanta Branca daughter 13 July 1388 born 6 March 1389 died none 1388–1389
No recognised heir 1389–1390
Infante Afonso son 30 July 1390 born 22 December 1400 died none 1390–1391
Infante Duarte 1391–1400, brother
Infante Duarte son 22 December 1400 brother died 14 August 1433 became king Infante Pedro, Duke of Coimbra 1400–1429, brother
Infante João 1429–1433, son
Infante Afonso 1433, son
Prince Afonso, Prince of Portugal son 14 August 1433 father became king 9 September 1438 became king Infanta Filipa 1433, sister Duarte I
Infante Fernando 1433–1438, brother
Prince Fernando, Prince of Portugal brother 9 September 1438 brother became king 29 January 1451 son born to king Infanta Filipa 1438–1439, sister Afonso V
Infanta Leonor 1439–1448, sister
Infante João 1448–1451, son
Prince João, Prince of Portugal son 29 January 1451 born February 1451 died Infante Fernando, uncle
Prince Fernando, Prince of Portugal brother February 1451 nephew died 6 February 1452 daughter born to king Infante João, son
Princess Joana, Princess of Portugal daughter 6 February 1452 born 3 March 1455 son born to king Infante Fernando, Duke of Beja, uncle
Prince João, Prince of Portugal son 3 March 1455 born 28 August 1481 became king Infanta Joana 1455–1475, sister
Infante Afonso 1475–1481, son
Prince Afonso, Prince of Portugal son 28 August 1481 father became king 13 July 1491 died Infanta Joana 1481–1490, aunt João II
Infante Manuel, Duke of Viseu 1490–1491, first cousin once removed
Infante Manuel, Duke of Viseu cousin 13 July 1491 king's son died 25 October 1495 became king Queen Leonor, sister
Queen Leonor sister 25 October 1495 brother became king 24 August 1498 son born to king Infanta Isabel, Duchess of Braganza, sister Manuel I
Prince Miguel da Paz, Prince of Portugal and Asturias son 24 August 1498 born 19 July 1500 died Queen Leonor, aunt
Queen Leonor sister 19 July 1500 king's son died 6 June 1502 son born to king Infanta Isabel, Duchess of Braganza, sister
Prince João, Prince of Portugal son 6 June 1502 born 13 December 1521 became king Queen Leonor 1502–1503, aunt
Infanta Isabel 1503–1506, sister
Infante Luís, Duke of Beja 1506–1521, brother
Prince Luís, Prince of Portugal brother 13 December 1521 brother became king 24 February 1526 son born to king Infante Fernando, brother João III
Prince Afonso, Prince of Portugal son 24 February 1526 born 12 April 1526 died Infante Luís, Duke of Beja, uncle
Prince Luís, Prince of Portugal brother 12 April 1526 king's son died 15 October 1527 daughter born to king Infante Fernando, brother
Princess Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal daughter 15 October 1527 born 1 November 1531 son born to king Infante Luís, Duke of Beja, uncle
Prince Manuel, Prince of Portugal son 1 November 1531 (declared heir in 1535) born 14 April 1537 died Infanta Maria Manuela 1531–1533, sister
Infante Filipe 1533–1537, brother
Prince Filipe, Prince of Portugal son 14 April 1537 brother died 29 April 1539 died Infanta Maria Manuela 1537, sister
Infante João Manuel 1537–1539, brother
Prince João Manuel, Prince of Portugal son 29 April 1539 brother died 2 January 1554 died Infante António 1539–1540, brother
Maria Manuela, Princess of Asturias 1540–1545, sister
Infante Carlos of Spain 1545–1554, nephew
Infante Carlos of Spain grandson 2 January 1554 uncle died 20 January 1554 son posthumously born to Prince João Manuel Cardinal-Infante Henrique, granduncle
Prince Sebastião, Prince of Portugal grandson 20 January 1554 born (posthumously) 11 June 1557 became king Carlos, Prince of Asturias, cousin
Carlos, Prince of Asturias cousin 11 June 1557 cousin became king 24 July 1568 died Cardinal-Infante Henrique, granduncle Sebastião I
Cardinal-Infante Henrique granduncle 24 July 1568 grandnephew died 4 August 1578 became king Infante Duarte, Duke of Guimarães 1568–1576, nephew
Maria, Hereditary Princess of Parma 1576–1577, niece
Prince Ranuccio Farnese of Parma 1577–1578, grandnephew
Prince Ranuccio Farnese of Parma grandnephew 4 August 1578 granduncle became king 31 January 1580 became pretender to the throne Prince Odoardo Farnese of Parma, brother Henrique I

After Cardinal-King Henrique's death, the throne was claimed by several individuals, including António, Prior of Crato, an illegitimate grandson of King Manuel I, and Infanta Catarina, Duchess of Braganza, a legitimate granddaughter of King Manuel I.[1] Eventually King Philip II of Spain, undoubtedly the most powerful claimant, succeeded in becoming king of Portugal.

António, Prior of Crato's pretension[edit]

Heir Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Next in succession Monarch
Manuel (Prince of Portugal) son 24 July 1580 father proclaimed himself king 25 August 1580 father deposed none António I (disputed)

House of Habsburg (1580–1640)[edit]

Note: All Princes of Portugal and infantes from the House of Habsburg were also Princes of Asturias and infantes of Spain respectively.

Heir Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Next in succession Monarch
Prince Diogo, Prince of Portugal son 12 September 1580 father became king 21 November 1582 died Infante Filipe, brother Filipe I
Prince Filipe, Prince of Portugal son 21 November 1582 brother died 13 September 1598 became king Infanta Isabel Clara Eugénia, sister
Infanta Isabel Clara Eugénia sister 13 September 1598 brother became king 22 September 1601 daughter born to king Filippo Emanuele, Prince of Piedmont, nephew Filipe II
Infanta Ana daughter 22 September 1601 born 8 April 1605 son born to king Infanta Isabel Clara Eugénia 1601–1603, aunt
Infanta Maria 1603, sister
Infanta Isabel Clara Eugénia 1603–1605, aunt
Prince Filipe, Prince of Portugal son 8 April 1605 born 31 March 1621 became king Infanta Ana 1605–1607, sister
Infante Carlos 1607–1621, brother
Infante Carlos brother 31 March 1621 brother became king 14 August 1621 daughter born to king Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother Filipe III
Infanta Maria Margarida daughter 14 August 1621 born 15 August 1621 died Infante Carlos, uncle
Infante Carlos brother 15 August 1621 king's daughter died 25 November 1623 daughter born to king Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother
Infanta Margarida Maria Catarina daughter 25 November 1623 born 22 December 1623 died Infante Carlos, uncle
Infante Carlos brother 22 December 1623 king's daughter died 21 November 1625 daughter born to king Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother
Infanta Maria Eugénia daughter 21 November 1625 born 21 July 1627 died Infante Carlos, uncle
Infante Carlos brother 21 July 1627 king's daughter died 31 October 1627 son born to king Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother
Infanta Isabel Maria Teresa daughter 31 October 1627 born 1 November 1627 died Infante Carlos, uncle
Infante Carlos brother 1 November 1627 king's daughter died 17 October 1629 son born to king Cardinal-Infante Fernando, brother
Prince Baltasar Carlos, Prince of Portugal son 17 October 1629 born 1 December 1640 father deposed Infante Carlos 1629–1632, uncle
Cardinal-Infante Fernando 1632–1636, uncle
Infanta Maria Ana Antónia 1636, sister
Cardinal-Infante Fernando 1636–1638, uncle
Infanta Maria Teresa 1638–1640, sister

House of Braganza (1640–1910)[edit]

Heir Relationship to Monarch Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Next in succession Monarch
Prince Teodósio, Prince of Brazil son 1 December 1640 father became king 13 May 1653 died Infanta Joana 1640–1643, sister João IV
Infante Afonso 1643–1653, brother
Prince Afonso, Prince of Brazil son 13 May 1653 brother died 6 November 1656 became king Infante Pedro, Duke of Beja, brother
Infante Pedro, Duke of Beja brother 6 November 1656 brother became king 12 September 1683 became king Infanta Catarina 1656–1662, sister Afonso VI
Nuno, Duke of Cadaval 1662–1669, fifth cousin
Infanta Isabel Luísa 1669–1683, daughter
Princess Isabel Luísa, Princess of Beira daughter 12 September 1683 father became king 30 August 1688 son born to king Nuno, Duke of Cadaval, fifth cousin once removed Pedro II
Prince João, Prince of Brazil son 30 August 1688 born 17 September 1688 died Princess Isabel Luísa, Princess of Beira, sister
Princess Isabel Luísa, Princess of Beira daughter 17 September 1688 brother died 22 October 1689 son born to king Nuno, Duke of Cadaval, fifth cousin once removed
Prince João, Prince of Brazil son 22 October 1689 born 9 December 1706 became king Princess Isabel Luísa, Princess of Beira 1689–1690, sister
Nuno, Duke of Cadaval 1690–1691, fifth cousin once removed
Infante Francisco, Duke of Beja 1691–1706, brother
Infante Francisco, Duke of Beja brother 9 December 1706 brother became king 4 December 1711 daughter born to king Infante António, brother João V
Princess Bárbara, Princess of Beira daughter 4 December 1711 born 19 October 1712 son born to king Infante Francisco, Duke of Beja, uncle
Prince Pedro, Prince of Brazil son 19 October 1712 born 29 October 1714 died Princess Bárbara, Princess of Beira 1712–1714, sister
Infante José 1714, brother
Prince José, Prince of Brazil son 29 October 1714 brother died 31 July 1750 became king Princess Bárbara, Princess of Beira 1714–1716, sister
Infante Carlos 1716–1734, brother
Princess Maria, Princess of Beira 1734–1750, daughter
Princess Maria, Princess of Brazil daughter 31 July 1750 father became king 24 February 1777 became queen Infanta Maria Ana Francisca 1750–1761, sister José I
Prince José, Prince of Beira 1761–1777, son
Prince José, Prince of Brazil son 24 February 1777 parents became queen and king 11 September 1788 died Infante João, Duke of Beja, brother Maria I and Pedro III
Prince João, Prince Royal son 11 September 1788 brother died 20 March 1816 became king Infanta Mariana Vitória, Infanta of Spain 1788, sister
Infante Pedro Carlos of Spain and Portugal 1788–1793, nephew
Princess Maria Teresa, Princess of Beira 1793–1795, daughter
Prince Francisco António, Prince of Beira 1795–1801, son
Prince Pedro, Prince of Beira 1801–1816, son
Prince Pedro, Prince Royal
(Emperor Pedro I of Brazil since 1822)
son 20 March 1816 father became king 10 March 1826 became king Infante Miguel, Duke of Beja 1816–1819, brother João VI
Princess Maria, Princess of Beira 1819–1821, daughter
Prince João Carlos, Prince of Beira 1821–1822, son
Princess Maria, Princess Imperial of Brazil 1822–1826, daughter
Princess Maria, Princess Imperial of Brazil daughter 10 March 1826 father became king 2 May 1826 father abdicated/became queen Princess Januária, Princess Imperial of Brazil, sister Pedro IV
Princess Januária, Princess Imperial of Brazil sister 2 May 1826 sister became queen 11 July 1828 sister deposed Infante Miguel, Duke of Beja, uncle Maria II
Infanta Maria Teresa sister 11 July 1828 brother became king 26 May 1834 brother deposed Infante Sebastião 1828–1834, son Miguel I
Princess Januária, Princess Imperial of Brazil sister 26 May 1834 sister restored as queen 16 December 1837 son born to queen Infanta Isabel Maria 1834–1837, aunt Maria II and Fernando II
Prince Pedro, Prince Royal son 16 December 1837 born 15 November 1853 became king Princess Januária, Princess Imperial of Brazil 1837–1838, aunt
Infante Luís, Duke of Porto 1838–1853, brother
Infante Luís, Duke of Porto brother 15 November 1853 brother became king 11 November 1861 became king Infante João, Duke of Beja, brother Pedro V
Infante João, Duke of Beja brother 11 November 1861 brother became king 27 December 1861 died Infante Augusto, brother Luís I
Infante Augusto brother 27 December 1861 brother died 28 September 1863 son born to king Infanta Isabel Maria, grandaunt
Prince Carlos, Prince Royal son 28 September 1863 born 19 October 1889 became king Infante Augusto 1863–1865, uncle
Infante Afonso, Duke of Porto 1865–1887, brother
Prince Luís Filipe, Prince of Beira 1887–1889, son
Prince Luís Filipe, Prince Royal son 19 October 1889 father became king 1 February 1908 assassinated Infante Afonso, Duke of Porto 1889, uncle Carlos I
Infante Manuel, Duke of Beja 1889–1908, brother
Prince Afonso, Prince Royal uncle 1 February 1908 nephew became king 4 October 1910 monarchy abolished ? Manuel II

Miguelist pretenders (1834–1922)[edit]

Heir Relationship to Pretender Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Next in succession Pretender
Infanta Maria Teresa sister 26 May 1834 brother became pretender 1838 married a foreigner Infante Sebastião of Spain and Portugal, son Miguel I
Infante Sebastião of Spain and Portugal nephew 1838 mother married a foreigner 5 August 1852 daughter born to pretender Infanta Isabel Maria, aunt
Infanta Maria das Neves daughter 5 August 1852 born 19 September 1853 son born to pretender Infante Sebastião of Spain and Portugal, cousin
Infante Miguel son 19 September 1853 born 14 November 1866 became pretender Infanta Maria das Neves, sister
Infanta Maria das Neves sister 14 November 1866 brother became pretender 26 April 1871 married a foreigner Infanta Maria Teresa, sister Miguel, Duke of Braganza
Infanta Maria Teresa sister 26 April 1871 sister married a foreigner 23 July 1873 married a foreigner Infanta Maria José, sister
Infanta Maria José sister 23 July 1873 sister married a foreigner 29 April 1874 married a foreigner Infanta Aldegundes, sister
Infanta Aldegundes sister 29 April 1874 sister married a foreigner 15 October 1876 married a foreigner Infanta Maria Ana, sister
Infanta Maria Ana sister 15 October 1876 sister married a foreigner 22 September 1878 son born to pretender Infanta Maria Antónia, sister
Infante Miguel, Duke of Viseu son 22 September 1878 born 21 July 1920 renounced for himself and his descendants Infanta Maria Ana 1878–1879, aunt
Infante Francisco José 1879–1910, brother
Infanta Isabel Maria "Nadejda" 1910–1912, daughter
Infante João 1912–1920, son
Infante Duarte Nuno son 21 July 1920 half-brother renounced for himself and his descendants 31 July 1920 became pretender Infanta Isabel Maria, sister
Infanta Isabel Maria sister 31 July 1920 brother became pretender 23 November 1920 married a foreigner Infanta Maria Benedita, sister Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza
Infanta Maria Benedita sister 23 November 1920 sister married a foreigner April 1922 pretender recognised as heir in the so-called Paris Pact Infanta Maria Ana 1920–1921, sister
Infanta Maria Antónia 1921–1922, sister

Pretenders since 1910[edit]

Heir Relationship to Pretender Became heir Reason Ceased to be heir Reason Next in succession Pretender
Prince Afonso, Prince Royal uncle 5 October 1910 king became pretender 21 February 1920 died none Manuel II
No recognised heir 1920–1922
Prince Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza second cousin twice removed April 1922 recognised in the so-called Paris Pact 2 July 1932 became pretender Infanta Maria Benedita, sister
Infanta Maria Benedita sister 2 July 1932 brother became pretender 15 May 1945 son born to pretender Infanta Maria Antónia 1932–1934, sister Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza
Infanta Filipa 1934–1945, sister
Prince Duarte Pio, Prince of Beira son 15 May 1945 born 24 December 1976 became pretender Infanta Maria Benedita 1945–1946, aunt
Infante Miguel, Duke of Viseu 1946–1976, brother
Infante Miguel, Duke of Viseu brother 24 December 1976 brother became pretender 25 March 1996 son born to pretender Infante Henrique, Duke of Coimbra, brother Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza
Prince Afonso, Prince of Beira son 25 March 1996 born current heir Infante Miguel, Duke of Viseu 1996–1997, uncle
Infanta Maria Francisca 1997–1999, sister
Infante Dinis, Duke of Porto 1999–present, brother

References[edit]

  1. Catherine claimed the inheritance of her late brother, although the senior familial inheritance technically passed to her nephew Ranuccio Farnese, son of her late elder sister Maria. Ranuccio's father Alessandro Farnese, Hereditary Prince of Parma supported Philip of Spain, another claimant, so his young son's claim was not put forward.

See also[edit]


This article "List of heirs to the Portuguese throne" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:List of heirs to the Portuguese throne. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.