Queen Maria II of Portugal

Queen Maria II of Portugal was a 19th-century monarch who reigned during a period of political upheaval and constitutional change. Born in 1819, she became queen in 1826 at a young age after her father’s death, but her reign was marked by conflicts between liberal constitutionalists and conservative absolutists. She worked to establish a constitutional monarchy, promoting liberal reforms and stability. Her leadership helped modernize Portugal’s political system, though her reign faced challenges including civil wars and opposition. Maria II is remembered as a pivotal figure in Portuguese history for her efforts to secure constitutional governance and national unity.