Luis of Orleans-Braganza
Luis of Orleans-Braganza was a claimant to the throne of Brazil. He was the son of Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil, and Prince Gaston, Count of Eu. After the coups that temporarily overthrew his grandfather, Pedro II, he left to Brittany with his family in exile. When his grandfather was restored, his mother refused to return to Brazil and renounced her claim to the throne, preferring to remain in Europe. Subsequently, his Grandfather was suceeded by his cousin, Pedro III, and then by Augusto I.
Luis returned to South America, taking refuge in Argentina. There, he married his second-cousin, the exiled Maria di Grazia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, in 1908. The same year, his brother renounced his claim to the throne. After this, Luis began to meet with Brazillian aristocrats to press his own claim. He became the head of the Orleans Line of the Imperial Family. He attempted to garner support from the Argentine king, Elias I. However, Elias wished to focus on domestic affairs rather than international ones.
Luis became an advocate for the working people, and many of his believed policies, such as military service for all Brazillians and not just the lower classes, were implemented by his cousin's regime. Still, many of Luis' beliefs saw him viewed as "radical", being labeled by many in society as a socialist.
He lost much support when, during the Great War, he advocated fr Brazillian entry on behalf of the British Empire against Germany who he saw as the agressors. As many of the Brazillian nobles supported neutrality, believing the war was strictly over European imperialism, only the most ardent supporters didn't distance themselves from Luis.
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