"I would be very happy if you came to the concert."
- Unpublished handwritten letter from Princess Isabel to Count and Countess Costa de Beauregard.
- One page.
- In French.
- April 30, 1907, Boulogne-sur-Seine.
- 12.2 cm x 17 cm.
- Excellent condition of conservation.
- One-of-a-kind.
French transcription
The concert will take place at Salle de l'Horticulteur, 84 rue de Grenelle, April 30, 1907, Boulogne-sur-Seine.
Dear Count and Countess Costa de Beauregard.
I am organizing a concert on May 24th in favor of my dear (name not identified). I would be very grateful if you would take the enclosed tickets.
If you cannot keep them, I would ask you to return them to me as soon as possible. I would be very happy if you could come to the concert or send someone in your place. Try to come!
Your affectionate friend.
Isabelle, Countess of Eu.
Perhaps the most beloved of Brazilian monarchs, Princess Isabel went down in history as the woman who ended the long and arduous period of slavery, which still represents a deep scar in the building of our society. Even so, few remember that, with the proclamation of the republic in 1889, Isabel, like the entire royal family, was exiled and forbidden from setting foot on Brazilian soil. Expatriation was a complex period in the princess's life; besides losing the right to live in the country where she grew up, she was also deprived of a large part of her possessions. Nevertheless, recently discovered documents show that Princess Isabel maintained an active social life during her exile in France.
The letter, dated 1907 and written by the princess herself, reveals that she was organizing a concert in Boulogne-sur-Mer. This is a valuable insight into the daily life of the celebrated monarch, especially given the scarcity of information about this period, as after being expelled from Brazil, Isabel decided to live a discreet life.
Upon returning to Europe, the imperial family first landed in Portugal, where Isabel's mother, Teresa Cristina, died within a few weeks. Isabel even settled for a period in southern Spain, but soon the entire royal family moved to a hotel in Cannes, France, after receiving a large loan from a Portuguese banker that allowed them to enjoy such luxury. However, Isabel and Gaston, her husband, moved the following year to a private villa, more economical than staying at the hotel. They also went to a country house near Versailles before their final move to the Château d'Eu, in Normandy, the former home of Gaston's grandfather, King Louis-Philippe I of France.
During her exile in France, Isabel chose a modest life, away from the spotlight, to such an extent that she never publicly supported the attempts to restore the monarchy that occurred in Brazil. As a result of this reserved lifestyle, little is known about the princess's daily life during those years. Therefore, her letter organizing a concert is so important; it gives us the possibility of exploring the mysteries of Princess Isabel's daily routine. What would it have been like to receive an invitation to a concert given by the princess?
Brazilian history is full of remarkable figures; surely, Princess Isabel is one of the most important protagonists of the more than 500 years recorded since the arrival of the Portuguese. The abolition of slavery, signed by Isabel, is still celebrated today as one of the most important events in our history as a country.
Learning details about the life of the woman responsible for changing the course of the nation, in a period still so neglected by historians, is an opportunity to get to know the woman behind the crown. Isabel, like all of us, faced setbacks but never stopped being active.
The Princess's letters are very rare, especially in perfect condition and as extensive as this one.
