Catherine of Braganza
Portuguese queen consort of England
Born
November 25th, 1638
386 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1705
319 years ago — 67 years old
Category
Leaders & Politicians
Country
Portugal
Links & References
Born in 1638, she was the daughter of King John IV of Portugal and Luisa de Guzmán. In 1662, she married Charles II of England, which led to the significant integration of Portuguese trade and tea culture into English society. The marriage served to strengthen the political alliance between Portugal and England during a time of conflict with Spain. Catherine had a strong interest in introducing exotic items, most notably tea, to the English court. She was influential in promoting the beverage that became a staple in British culture. The couple had no surviving children, and she faced challenges due to her Catholic faith in a predominantly Anglican England. Catherine remained a beloved figure in the court until her death in 1705.
Married Charles II of England
Introduced tea drinking to English culture
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