United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves

The United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves was a pluricontinental monarchy created in 1815 by elevating the Portuguese colony of Brazil to the rank of a kingdom and uniting it with the Kingdom of Portugal and the Kingdom of the Algarves. The change followed the transfer of the Portuguese court to Rio de Janeiro in 1808, when Prince Regent John fled the Napoleonic invasion of Portugal with his incapacitated mother, Queen Maria I. With Napoleon defeated in 1815, pressure grew in Lisbon for the court to return, while Brazilian courtiers and nationalists pressed for Brazil to be raised from colonial status. By a law of 16 December 1815 the colony became a kingdom and the three kingdoms were joined in a single state. The royal titles were altered accordingly, the title Prince of Brazil was replaced in 1817 by Prince Royal, and a new flag and coat of arms were adopted. Maria I died in Rio in March 1816 and John succeeded as John VI. The Liberal Revolution of 1820 in Portugal sought to restore Lisbon's predominance, and Brazil proclaimed independence in 1822. Portugal recognised the Empire of Brazil in 1825, formally dissolving the union.