Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza

(1909-1981)

Pedro Henrique, Prince of Brazil (13 September 1909, Boulogne-Billancourt, France – 5 July 1981 Vassouras, Brazil), was the late Prince and Head of the Imperial House of Brazil according to the Vassouras branch claim and pretense de jure Emperor of Brazil as Pedro III.

Pedro Henrique
Head of the Imperial House of Brazil (disputed)
Tenure14 November 1921 – 5 July 1981
PredecessorIsabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil
SuccessorLuiz of Orléans-Braganza
Born(1909-09-13)13 September 1909
Boulogne-Billancourt, French Third Republic
Died5 July 1981(1981-07-05) (aged 71)
Vassouras, Brazil
Spouse
IssueLuiz
Eudes
Bertrand
Isabel
Pedro
Fernando
Antônio
Eleonora, Princess of Ligne
Francisco
Alberto
Maria Teresa
Maria Gabriela
Full name
Pedro Henrique Afonso Felipe Maria Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga
HouseOrléans-Braganza
FatherPrince Luís of Orléans-Braganza
MotherPrincess Maria di Grazia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies
SignaturePedro Henrique's signature

His claim to the Brazilian throne and the headship of the Imperial House was challenged by his cousin Pedro Gastão, Prince of Brazil. He considered Prince Pedro de Alcântara's renounce to has no legal validation, but Pedro Henrique's legitimacy was nonetheless widely recognized by the Brazilian monarchists and international royalty and confirmed by the Brazilian Monarchical Directory, the official monarchist organ in Brazil, as for the monarchist action movement called Patrianovismo.

During his lifetime he was actively engaged in promote the monarchist cause in Brazil.