Portrait of King Pedro (1798-1834), son of king João VI. He married Leoplodina daughter of Emperor Francis of Austria, and a second time to Amélia of Leuchtenberg. He was imperor of Brazil and King of Portugal. When King João VI returned to Portugal in 1821, he appointed him regent of Brazil, where he represented the colony's independance movement in 1822. In Portugal he was one of the major figures in the liberal faction during the Liberal Wars. The King abdicated the throne of Portugal in favour of his daughter Princess Maria and the throne of Brazil in favour of his son Prince Pedro.