The marriage between Isabel and Gastão was the result of a political alliance between Pedro II and Louis Philippe I, who sought to strengthen ties between the two monarchies and contain the expansionist ambitions of the United States of America and Great Britain in Latin America. Furthermore, the marriage also aimed to guarantee dynastic continuity in Brazil, since Isabel was the only surviving daughter of Pedro II and his wife was considered infertile after several miscarriages.
Negotiations
Negotiations for marriage began in 1863, when Pedro II sent a letter to the Duke of Némours, proposing the union between his children. The Duke accepted the proposal and sent a favorable response to the Brazilian emperor. Then, preparations for the ceremony began, which involved diplomatic, religious and financial issues.[1]
Ceremony
The Imperial Palace of Rio de Janeiro being prepared for the wedding ceremony of Princess Isabel and Prince Gaston.
The ceremony was held in two stages: the first was the proxy marriage, which took place on August 28, 1864, at the Royal Chapel of Dreux, France. On this occasion, Gastão was represented by his younger brother, Prince Augusto de Orléans. The second was the in-person wedding, which took place on October 15, 1864, at the Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. On that occasion, Isabel and Gastão met for the first time and exchanged their marriage vows in front of Archbishop Dom Manuel Joaquim da Silveira.
The wedding was a major social event in Brazil, which was attended by civil and military authorities, members of the nobility and the diplomatic corps, as well as a large popular crowd that followed the wedding procession through the city streets. The couple received many gifts and tributes, such as jewelry, medals, paintings, poems and music. One of the most famous was the "Wedding March", composed by Francisco Manuel da Silva especially for the occasion.
