The Brazilian government refused to recognize Maria Amélia as a member of Brazil's Imperial House because she was foreign-born, however her elder half-brother Emperor Pedro II was declared of age in 1840 and intervened on her behalf.
The Brazilian government refused for many years to acknowledge her as a member of Brazil's Imperial House because she was foreign-born. She was not officially recognized as a Brazilian princess until after her elder half-brother Emperor Pedro II was declared of age in 1840 and intervened on her behalf.