King John VI of Portugal), to elevate the State of Brazil to the status of a kingdom on 16 December 1815, united with its former metropole.

In 1820, a liberal revolution broke out in Portugal and the royal family was forced to return to Lisbon. Before leaving Brazil, however, the now king John VI named his eldest son, Pedro of Braganza, as prince regent of Brazil. Although Pedro was faithful to his father, the desire