The reasons for the marriage were probably not political, considering the couple's first child was born on 27 December 1827, twenty-two days after the ceremony. The marriage proposal had been refused by D. Ana's father, King John VI, prior to his death in March 1826 (strictly, Portuguese law at the time only stated that the marriage of the heir presumptive required the sovereign's consent, a position D. Ana never held). Nor were either of her brothers present in the country at the time of the wedding (both claimed the kingship from abroad).
The designated regent of the kingdom was D. Ana's elder sister, Infanta Isabel Maria of Braganza, who was present in Lisbon. The marriage was not an elopement, as the royal family was aware of the couple's intention to marry and D. Ana's mother facilitated rather than sought to prevent the marriage before her daughter gave birth.
With the restoration of absolutism in Portugal in 1831, the couple went into exile and began extended travel through Europe. They had several other children abroad. The marriage ended with a de facto separation in 1835.[citation needed] The infanta died before her husband was created a duke (in 1862).
D. Ana's heir, and the head of the Loulé ducal line is her great-great-great-grandson D. Pedro Folque de Mendoça Rolim de Moura Barreto, 6th Duke of Loulé. He is considered by some to be the rightful pretender to the defunct Portuguese throne by virtue of his ancestors' uninterrupted Portuguese citizenship and uninterrupted domicile on Portuguese soil.
D. Ana Carlota de Mendóça Rolim de Moura Barreto (1827–1893), later Countess of Linhares
D. Maria do Carmo de Mendóça Rolim de Moura Barreto (1829–1907), later Countess of Belmonte
D. Pedro José de Mendóça Rolim de Moura Barreto (1830–1909), later 2nd Duke of Loulé
D. Maria Amália de Mendóça Rolim de Moura Barreto (1832–1880), later became a nun
D. Augusto Pedro de Mendóça Rolim de Moura Barreto (1835–1914), later 3rd Count of Azambuja
Nuno da Câmara Pereira, a member of the People's Monarchist Party (PPM) in the Assembly of the Republic, descends illegitimately from D. Ana. He promotes restoration of the monarchy under the House of Loulé.
Generations indicate descent from Afonso, Duke of Braganza, founder of the House of Braganza, until João II, Duke of Braganza, the first Braganza monarch of Portugal; italics indicate a head of the House
Generations indicate descent from John IV, King of Portugal, formerly John II, Duke of Braganza, the first Braganza monarch of Portugal, until Manuel II, King of Portugal, the last monarch of Portugal, excluding the Miguelist line; italics indicate a head of the House
* also an infanta of Spain and an archduchess of Austria,** also an imperial princess of Brazil,*** also a princess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess in Saxony,◙ Also a princess of Braganza,ƒ title of pretense
