Maria Francisca of Orléans-Braganza, Duchess of Braganza Maria Francisca of Orléans-Braganza, Duchess of Braganza "Dona" Maria Francisca of Orléans-Braganza, Duchess of Braganza (8 September 1914 – 15 January 1968) was the wife of Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza, a pretender to the Portuguese throne, and the daughter of Pedro de Alcântara, Prince of Grão-Pará, pretender to the throne of the Empire of Brazil. The Duke and Duchess had three sons, the eldest of whom, Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza, is the current pretender to the throne of Portugal. "Maria Francisca Amélia Luísa Vitória Teresa Isabel Miguela Gabriela Rafaela Gonzaga" was born at Château d'Eu in Eu, France,
House of Braganza Afonso quickly became the King's preferred advisor. On 30 December 1442, the Duke of Coimbra, still the King's regent and thus acting in his name, created Afonso as the Duke of Braganza, as a gesture of good will and reconciliation between the two brothers. Afonso's elevation to the dukedom, the highest level of nobility, marked the foundation of the House of Braganza, which was to become a key family in Portuguese history. As a result of the hard work and success of Afonso I, his children all secured successful positions and lived privileged lives. Afonso I's first son, Afonso of