Early Life and Reign
He was the eldest son of Queen Maria II and her de jure uxoris co-monarch Ferdinand II and was born after his mother's accession. As heir apparent to the throne he was styled Prince Royal (Príncipe Real), and was also the 19th Duke of Braganza (Duque de Bragança).
Pedro was a conscientious and hard-working monarch who, under the guidance of his father, sought radical modernisation of the Portuguese state and infrastructure. Under his reign, roads, telegraphs, and railways were constructed and improvements in public health advanced. His popularity increased when, during the cholera outbreak of 1853–1856, he visited hospitals handing out gifts and comforting the sick.
Pedro V, along with his brother Ferdinand and other royal family members, succumbed to cholera in 1861.
Read more about this topic: Pedro V Of Portugal
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