Crown Prince Luis Filipe of Portugal holds a rather unique historical distinction as having one of the shortest reigns in the annals of royalty, lasting about 20 minutes. This occurred under extraordinarily tragic circumstances on February 1, 1908, a day that marked a significant and dark event in Portuguese history. The young prince was with his family in Lisbon, returning from the royal palace in Vila Viçosa to the capital. As their carriage made its way through the Commerce Square, assassins ambushed them, opening fire.
King Carlos I, Luis Filipe's father, was immediately killed. Luis Filipe, heir apparent and in line for the throne, was badly wounded. In the line of succession, he technically became King Luis II from the moment of his father’s death. However, the prince succumbed to his injuries roughly 20 minutes later. After Luis Filipe's brief and tragic "reign," his younger brother, Manuel, ascended the throne to become King Manuel II. His rule came at a tumultuous time, as the monarchy itself was teetering on the brink. Just two years later, in 1910, a republican revolution successfully deposed Manuel II, ending the monarchy in Portugal.
This swift and tragic sequence of events not only altered the course of Portuguese history but also underscored the vulnerabilities of royal families in Europe during a period rife with political unrest. The impact of such a short reign echoed the fragility of human life and the often-precarious nature of monarchial rule. The assassination and the events that followed highlighted the simmering discontent among the populace and the burgeoning shift towards republicanism in various parts of Europe. The deaths of King Carlos I and his son, Luis Filipe, therefore marked not just a personal tragedy for the Portuguese royal family but also a significant turning point in Portuguese political history.
