History
Created by King John VI of Portugal on 4 November 1801, in recognition for the devotion of Elizabeth of Aragon, the Queen Saint consort of Portuguese King Denis I. John VI invested Carlota Joaquina, his wife, as Grand Mistress of the Order. The Order is exclusively for Ladies and it distinguished Catholic noble women. The total of members that this order could have was twenty-six.
In 1910, the Monarchy was replaced by a Republican Government and the Order which was considered Dynastic, was still bestowed by King's Manuel II of Portugal who also awarded it to his wife in exile. After his death the Queen and Queen Mother both continued to use the order's insignia of Grand Mistress. In 1986 Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza re-established the Order of Saint Isabel, as an honorific dynastic order of the Portuguese Royal Family, and claimed the Sovereign Grand Mastership of this Dynastic Order. The Duchess of Braganza is the current Grand Mistress and besides distinguishing Portuguese Noblewomen on the Saints Feast Day celebrated at the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova in Coimbra each year on July 4, the Royal House has also distinguished, since the year 2000, various Queens, Princesses and women dedicated to the support of Portuguese Charities.
Read more about this topic: Order Of Saint Isabel
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