Domitila de Castro Canto e Melo

Domitila (or Tilia, as she was also called) was introduced to Pedro in September 1822 for a flirtation whilst travelling away from home. However, this acquaintance quickly developed into a sexual dependency from which Pedro was both unable and unwilling to escape right up until Leopoldina’s death. Step by step the royal mistress’s influence destroyed Leopoldina’s family life. Dom Pedro brought her to Rio and built her a palace. After obtaining a divorce Domitila was raised to the status of lady-in-waiting and was eventually accorded the title Marquise of Santos.