Description
Information about the family history and the coat of arms
Family history
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Family history Duque de Santa Cruz
Duke of Santa Cruz
The history of the Duke of Santa Cruz connects the houses of Beauharnais, Wittelsbach and Braganza. Augusto de Beauharnais was born in Milan in 1810. His father Eugène de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s adopted son, had ruled as viceroy of Italy. His mother Augusta Amalia was a daughter of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria. After the end of the Napoleonic era, the family found a home in Bavaria and in 1817 received the rank of Leuchtenberg.
When Eugène died in 1824, Augusto became the second Duke of leuchtenberg and Prince of eichstätt. Soon the family policy led him to Brazil. His sister Amélie married Emperor Pedro I, and Augusto accompanied her in 1829 on the journey from Europe to Rio de Janeiro. The Emperor appreciated his brother-in-law and bestowed upon him Certificate the title Duque de Santa Cruz with the title of Royal Highness on November 5, 1829.
The name referred to the Imperial Hacienda Santa Cruz in Rio de Janeiro. Augusto was thus the only foreign prince to whom Pedro I granted a Brazilian title of Duke. He participated in the ceremonies of the new imperial union at the court and became a visible link between Brazil and the European dynasties.
Later, another family alliance led him to Portugal. In 1834, Augusto was chosen as the husband of Queen Maria II, a daughter of Pedro I. After the wedding in Lisbon in January 1835, he assumed the title of Prince Consort of Portugal. His time with her was only brief; already in March 1835, his path in life ended.
The Brazilian title remained associated with Augusto as its sole bearer. This is precisely what preserves its special history: Santa Cruz is reminiscent of a prince whose family connected Bavaria, France, Italy, Portugal and Brazil during a turbulent era.
Sources: Brazilian Chamber of Deputies (camara.leg.br), Imperial Museum, Brazilian Senate (senado.leg.br), Historical Institute of Petrópolis
Coat of arms & Heraldry
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Family coat of arms Duque de Santa Cruz
That Coat of arms belongs to Auguste de Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg and the Duque de Santa Cruz erected in 1829 by Pedro I.
Four-pointed shield with a heart-shaped shield in the traditional Beauharnais-Leuchtenberg composition; the fields show, among other things, a silver three-towered castle with crenellated walls and five-pointed silver stars in blue, red, gold and silver. Above the shield is a Brazilian royal crown.
Auguste de Beauharnais was the son of Eugène de Beauharnais and Augusta Amalia of Bavaria. Pedro I.
Sources: Archival Archive of the Brazilian Nobility, 1918, legacy of Coat of arms Augustes de Beauharnais, Duke of Santa Cruz, Imperial Museum, Chamber of Deputies and Senate of Brazil
Overview of your title package
What the title of nobility contains
Discover the fascination of historical noble titles. With each appointment, you receive a first-class package that perfectly combines tradition, personal recognition, and stylish representation:
Your certificate
Authentic design with a historic flair: For each region, we create a certificate of appointment in the distinctive, country-specific style – complete with the appropriate coat of arms of your chosen title.
Share this special moment: Upon request, you will receive a free partner certificate and certificates for your children, so that the whole family can participate in the tradition.
Your own coat of arms
Each title comes with the corresponding historical coat of arms, which you receive as a high-resolution file. You can use it completely freely in private and professional contexts – whether on letterhead, business cards, or seals.
The Companion Book
The book „My Title“ takes you in detail into the multifaceted world of your new aristocratic title and offers valuable practical tips for everyday life, stylish guidance, and background information on history.
Our accessories
Golden ID Card
Crafted from premium aluminum in business card format, the gold ID Card makes your title look stylish and mobile.
Gold coins
Fine gold and silver-plated medallions combine coats of arms, names and titles in a glossy, unique design.
Emblem stamp
The self-inking stamp quickly, cleanly and precisely transfers your personal emblem onto letterhead paper.
My own wine
Choose fine red or white wine with an elegant, personalized label for a stylish look.
Wappen Gläser
The masterfully engraved wine glasses display their coat of arms, name and title in stunning brilliance.
Precision pliers
The elegant embossing pliers embellishes letterheads or documents with a tactile, colourless relief embossing.
Honorary membership
Membership of the Noble Society Institute enriches your title with another dimension of exclusive representation. Validated by a magnificent certificate in your name, with no ongoing fees or obligations.
