Archduchess was just a strategist. For Maria Celi Chaves Vasconcelos, a professor at UERJ and a specialist in the education of noble women, there is not the slightest trace of rebellion in any writing by or about Maria Leopoldina: "Would it be revolutionary because it influenced Dom Pedro in the Proclamation of Independence? I don't think there is any revolutionary trait there; I think she was, perhaps, knowledgeable enough about political history to make the correct judgment about the moment lived and how much he was conducive to Independence", defends the researcher. "Regardless of the reasons that made Maria Leopoldina stay in Brazil, the Empress must be interpreted as a revolutionary woman because she was the first to make politics in the high sphere of Brazilian decisions", defends historian Paulo Rezzutti. Depictions in culture Empress Maria Leopoldina has already been portrayed as a character in cinema and television, being played by Kate Hansen in the film Independência ou Morte (1972), by Maria Padilha in the miniseries Marquesa de Santos (1984) and by Érika Evantini in the miniseries O Quinto dos Infernos (2002). Maria Leopoldina's life was also the subject of the 1996 plot of the samba school Imperatriz Leopoldinense, whose name already derives indirectly from her (because the school is based in the area of the Estrada de Ferro Leopoldina, named in honor of the Empress). On the occasion, the carnival designer and professor Rosa Magalhães received support from the Austrian government for the parade. In 2007, the actress Ester Elias gave life to Maria Leopoldina in the musical Império, by Miguel Falabella, which tells part of the history of the Empire of Brazil. In 2017, actress Letícia Colin played the Empress Maria Leopoldina in the telenovela Novo Mundo. In 2018, Maria Leopoldina and Imperatriz Leopoldinense were honored by the Tom Maior samba school, at the São Paulo carnival. Titles and honours Titles 22 January 1797 – 11 August 1804 Her Royal Highness Archduchess Leopoldina of Austria 11 August 1804 – 6 November 1817 Her Imperial and Royal Highness Archduchess and Princess Imperial Leopoldina of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia 6 November 1817 – 12 October 1822 Her Imperial and Royal Highness The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, Duchess of Braganza, Archduchess and Princess Imperial of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia 12 October 1822 – 10 March 1826 Her