Carlos, King of Portugal (Eng Charles), Carlos Fernando Luís Maria Victor Miguel Rafael Gabriel Gonzaga Xavier Francisco de Assis José Simão of Braganza(September 28 1863 - February 1 1908) was the second to last of Portugal's kings.
He was born in Lisbon, Portugal, the son of King Luís Filipe and Princess Maria Pia of Savoy. He became King on October 10 1889. An intelligent but vastly extravagent man, Carlos' policies, image of wastefulness and extramarital affairs effectively sealed the fate of the Poruguese monarchy. Colonial treaties with the United Kingdom (one signed in August 1890 that defined their African borders along the Zambesi and Congo rivers and another signed on October 14, 1899, that confirmed colonial treaties of the 17th Century) stabilised the situation in Africa. Domestically, Portugal was twice declared bankrupt - on June 14, 1892, and again on May 10, 1902 - causing industrial disturbances, socialist and republican antagonism and press criticism of the monarchy. Carlos responded by appointing General João Franco as military dictator, but on February 1, 1908, the King and his eldest son, Crown Prince Luis Felipe were shot dead in the streets of Lisbon.
He was married to Princess Amélie d'Orléans in 1886. Their children were
|
Preceded by: Luis Felipe | List of Portuguese monarchs |
Succeeded by: Manuel II |