Fernando Rafael Guiterez

A painted portrait of the Prince in Mexico, from 1917.

Duke of Braganza

Pretender to the Portuguese throne

Archbishop of Mexico City

### Siblings

Empress Augustina Napoleon-Garzonia of MexicoAlfonso Guiterez, The Duke of Barcelos

Felipe Guiterez, The Archduke of Guimarães

Cassandra Guiterez, The Princess of Porto

### Issue

Juan VII, Prince of Beira Miguel, Lord of the Infantado

Adriana, Princess of Porto

Fernando, Duke of Coimbra

Maria Jose, Duchess of Guarda

Maria Antonia, Duchess of Viseu

Charles, Duke of Guarda

### Religion

Roman Catholicism

.**Fernando Rafael Guiterez** (September 9th, 1889 - Present) is a nobleman, cleric, and prominent statesman of the Mexican Empire. He currently occupies the role of Prince-Archbishop of Portugal and Archbishop of Mexico. Gracious, handsome, and sometimes stubborn, Fernando became an influential politician and military advisor during the reign of his brother-in-law, Ferdinand.

During the reign of his brother-in-law and close sister, Fernando became a close advisor and military tactician. He was always there to judge Ferdinand's policies and was never slow to fix them. Fernando was fond of the French culture and language and soon developed a love for all things French. Fernando soon built the Palacio de la Ciudad de la Ciudad de México which was inspired by the grandiose Palace of Versailles, the palace included a copy of the Hall of Mirrors and a gallery of paintings.

## Early Life

#### **Birth**

Fernando Rafael Guiterez was born on September 9th, 1889 to the Emperor and Empress of Portugal in the *Palácio de Belém. The birth was a hard one, and took nearly 5 hours of painful labor. A courtier noted that the infant a nose not too big or small. The court soon found out that Fernando's right hand was deformed and was slightly smaller than his left arm, this deformity lead to Fernando using a sword to cover up his deformed hand.* The baby was *chubby, and had the eyes of his mother. As tradition, Fernando was presented the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Villa Vicosa and was given the title of the Prince of Beira and the Duke of Braganza.*

#### **Baptism**

On September 13th, 1889, the young Prince of Beira was awaken from his cradle and carried into the royal carriage by his mother, a royal escort of nearly 300 soldiers took the young infant to the Cathedral of Saint Mary Major. The baby was named after King-Saint Fernando of Castile, in honor of the King of Castile and Toledo.

#### **Childhood**

Fernando was a shy and a very sensitive child, he never demanded or argued, and never fought with his siblings. His mother Garzonia hired multiple tutors to teach Fernando on French, Latin, philosophy, math, geography, religion, and science. Fernando was cared for only by men and rarely had the company of women, he soon developed gynophobia. His father put him in to a worse position and enrolled him in to the Academia Real which only accepted males. His mother Garzonia hired 13 mistresses for the sixteen year old Fernando. From 1906 to 1909, his 'collection' soon grew and soon reached 29. Fernando was cured from gynophobia. It was time, Fernando needed a wife.

#### **Marriage to Maria II of Portugal**

On December 17th, 1907, Fernando met his future wife Princess Maria Elisabeth. During the handover, it was noted that Fernando covered his face due to the beauty of his future wife. Maria was 7 years his elder and she quickly noticed. During the middle of the ceremony, Maria kissed the young Fernando on the cheek and asked "Why do you

blush my Fernie?" They were both taken to the Lisbon Cathedral and were officially made husband and wife. Maria was the opposite of Fernando. She was beautiful, charming, and loved talking to people. For the rest of his life, Fernando refused to take a mistress. Maria and Fernando had 16 children.