A short record of Brazilian Emperor Pedro II and his wife Empress Teresa
Upon learning that the young emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II, sought a wife, the government of the Two Sicilies offered the hand of Teresa Cristina.[7] It also sent Pedro II a painting that greatly embellished the princess, which prompted him to accept the proposal.[8] A proxy wedding was held on 30 May 1843 in Naples, Pedro II being represented by his fiancée's brother Prince Leopold, Count of Syracuse.[9][10] A small Brazilian fleet composed of a frigate and two corvettes[11][12] departed for the Two Sicilies on 3 March 1843 to escort the new Empress of Brazil.[13][14] She arrived on Rio de Janeiro on 3 September 1843.[15] Pedro II immediately rushed to board the ship and greet his bride. Upon seeing this impetuous gesture, the crowds cheered and guns fired deafening salutes.[16] Teresa Cristina fell in love with her new husband at first sight.[17]
The 17-year-old Pedro II was, for his part, clearly and greatly disappointed.[18] His first impressions were only of her physical flaws—and of how much her appearance differed from the portrait which had been sent to him.[17] Physically, she had dark brown hair[19] and brown eyes,[19][20] was short, slightly overweight, walked with a pronounced limp and, while not ugly, neither was she pretty.[21] According to historian Pedro Calmon, Teresa Cristina had no true limp, but her odd way of walking was instead the result of bowed legs causing her to lean alternately right and left as she walked.[11] Pedro II's high expectations were crushed, and he allowed his feelings of revulsion and rejection to show.[17] After a short interval, he left the ship. Perceiving his disillusionment, she burst into tears, lamenting that "the emperor did not like me!"[22] Although a proxy marriage had already been performed, an extravagant state wedding was held on 4 September at the cathedral in Rio de Janeiro.[23]
The portrait in question was this
When she actually looked more like this
Notice how with Pedro II the portrait and picture are the same (he was 6'3 and considered handsome by public back then) while with her Teresa they were completely different?
Although the marriage had been strained from the beginning, Teresa Cristina continued striving to be a good wife. Her constancy toward fulfilling her duty, along with the birth of children, softened Pedro II's attitude. The two discovered shared interests, and their concern for and delight in their children created a sense of family happiness.[24] That they were sexually active and compatible is witnessed by the series of pregnancies which ensued. After the birth of their first son in February 1845, the Empress bore children in July 1846, July 1847, and July 1848—named Afonso, Isabel, Leopoldina and Pedro, respectively.
The relationship between Teresa Cristina and Pedro II never became passionately romantic. However, a bond based upon family, mutual respect and fondness did develop. The Empress was a dutiful spouse and unfailingly supported the Emperor's positions. She was silent on the subject of his relationships with other women, suspected or otherwise. In turn, she was treated with utmost respect and there was no question of her position ever being threatened or called into question.[32] No more children were born after July 1848, even after the death of her two sons in infancy. A likely reason for the halt to childbearing is that the Emperor became more attracted to other women who possessed beauty, wit and intelligence which the Empress could not provide.[33]
Teresa Cristina had grown to be a vital part of Pedro II's family life and routine. She never filled the roles of romantic lover or intellectual partner, however. Her devotion to the Emperor remained firm, though she feared being supplanted.[26] She continued to appear with the Emperor in public, and he continued to treat her with respect and consideration. She was not rejected or slighted, but the relationship had changed. Pedro II treated her more as a close friend and companion than as a wife.[26]
Upon learning that the young emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II, sought a wife, the government of the Two Sicilies offered the hand of Teresa Cristina.[7] It also sent Pedro II a painting that greatly embellished the princess, which prompted him to accept the proposal.[8] A proxy wedding was held on 30 May 1843 in Naples, Pedro II being represented by his fiancée's brother Prince Leopold, Count of Syracuse.[9][10] A small Brazilian fleet composed of a frigate and two corvettes[11][12] departed for the Two Sicilies on 3 March 1843 to escort the new Empress of Brazil.[13][14] She arrived on Rio de Janeiro on 3 September 1843.[15] Pedro II immediately rushed to board the ship and greet his bride. Upon seeing this impetuous gesture, the crowds cheered and guns fired deafening salutes.[16] Teresa Cristina fell in love with her new husband at first sight.[17]
The 17-year-old Pedro II was, for his part, clearly and greatly disappointed.[18] His first impressions were only of her physical flaws—and of how much her appearance differed from the portrait which had been sent to him.[17] Physically, she had dark brown hair[19] and brown eyes,[19][20] was short, slightly overweight, walked with a pronounced limp and, while not ugly, neither was she pretty.[21] According to historian Pedro Calmon, Teresa Cristina had no true limp, but her odd way of walking was instead the result of bowed legs causing her to lean alternately right and left as she walked.[11] Pedro II's high expectations were crushed, and he allowed his feelings of revulsion and rejection to show.[17] After a short interval, he left the ship. Perceiving his disillusionment, she burst into tears, lamenting that "the emperor did not like me!"[22] Although a proxy marriage had already been performed, an extravagant state wedding was held on 4 September at the cathedral in Rio de Janeiro.[23]
The portrait in question was this
When she actually looked more like this
Notice how with Pedro II the portrait and picture are the same (he was 6'3 and considered handsome by public back then) while with her Teresa they were completely different?
Although the marriage had been strained from the beginning, Teresa Cristina continued striving to be a good wife. Her constancy toward fulfilling her duty, along with the birth of children, softened Pedro II's attitude. The two discovered shared interests, and their concern for and delight in their children created a sense of family happiness.[24] That they were sexually active and compatible is witnessed by the series of pregnancies which ensued. After the birth of their first son in February 1845, the Empress bore children in July 1846, July 1847, and July 1848—named Afonso, Isabel, Leopoldina and Pedro, respectively.
The relationship between Teresa Cristina and Pedro II never became passionately romantic. However, a bond based upon family, mutual respect and fondness did develop. The Empress was a dutiful spouse and unfailingly supported the Emperor's positions. She was silent on the subject of his relationships with other women, suspected or otherwise. In turn, she was treated with utmost respect and there was no question of her position ever being threatened or called into question.[32] No more children were born after July 1848, even after the death of her two sons in infancy. A likely reason for the halt to childbearing is that the Emperor became more attracted to other women who possessed beauty, wit and intelligence which the Empress could not provide.[33]
Teresa Cristina had grown to be a vital part of Pedro II's family life and routine. She never filled the roles of romantic lover or intellectual partner, however. Her devotion to the Emperor remained firm, though she feared being supplanted.[26] She continued to appear with the Emperor in public, and he continued to treat her with respect and consideration. She was not rejected or slighted, but the relationship had changed. Pedro II treated her more as a close friend and companion than as a wife.[26]
