Duke of Victoria


Duke of Victoria is a Portuguese title of nobility retained by the Duke of Wellington.
The title was created by Prince Regent John of Portugal on 18 December 1812 to honour the British General Arthur Wellesley, who was the general commander of the armies that eventually defeated the troops of Emperor Napoleon I of France in the Peninsular War. It is the only time that a Portuguese dukedom was granted to a foreigner.
Arthur Wellesley had already received the Portuguese titles Conde de Vimeiro and Marquês de Torres Vedras, which became subsidiary titles to that of Duque da Vitória. He also received the British peerage title Duke of Wellington, that in addition to other titles and honours from the United Kingdom, Spain and Netherlands. All these titles were passed to his heirs until the present day.

Dukes of Victoria since 1812

The heir apparent is the present holder's son Arthur Gerald Wellesley, whose heir apparent is his son Arthur Darcy Wellesley.

'''Use of titles of nobility in the Portuguese Republic'''

With the end of the Portuguese monarchy in 1910, all titles of Portuguese nobility were initially abolished. Notwithstanding, although the status of nobility has not been recognised in law since 1910, legitimate titles of nobility have been given legal recognition and protection, including under article 26 of the Portuguese Constitution, in conjunction with articles 70 and 72 of the Civil Code, as established by decision of Portugal's Supreme Court of Justice in 2014.