Stephanie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen

Stephanie Josepha Friederike Wilhelmine Antonia (Portuguese: Estefânia Josefa Frederica Guilhermina Antónia) was born in Sigmaringen on 15 July 1837. She was the eldest daughter of Karl Anton, Prince of Hohenzollern, and his wife, Princess Josephine of Baden.

On 29 April 1858, Stephanie married by proxy to King Pedro V of Portugal. She arrived in Portugal on 17 May 1858 and, on the following day, she married the King in Lisbon, becoming Queen consort of Portugal. They spent their honeymoon in Sintra.

In an effort to impress his new wife, Pedro had her rooms at Palácio das Necessidades lavishly decorated. He had ordered furniture, chandeliers, carpets and fabrics from Paris.

Stephanie wrote home that the Portuguese understood luxury better than dignity. She missed home and didn't particularly enjoy Lisbon; however, she was very fond of Sintra and Mafra.

Stephanie and her husband were very charitable. Together, they founded several hospitals and charity institutions, which gave her a great deal of popularity among the Portuguese people. The Hospital D. Estefânia, in Lisbon, was named in her honour.

Shortly after her wedding, the Queen fell ill with diphtheria. She died on 17 July 1859, at the age of 22. The King and the people were deeply affected by her death, for they had come to love her dearly.

Stephanie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
Karl Ferdinand Sohn
(1859)

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