Duque da Vitória

Coat of arms of the British Dukes of Wellington, also Dukes of the Victory

Duque da Vitória (literally translated as Duke of the Victory) is a Portuguese title of nobility retained by the Duke of Wellington.

The title was created by Prince Regent John of Portugal (later King John VI) 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 (Count of Vimeiro, 18 October 1811) and Marquês de Torres Vedras (Marquis of Torres Vedras, August 1812), 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 Vitória (1812- )

• Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Vitória (1769–1852) since 1812
• Arthur Richard Wellesley, 2nd Duke of Vitória (1807–1884) since 1852
• Henry Wellesley, 3rd Duke of Vitória (1846–1900) since 1884
• Arthur Charles Wellesley, 4th Duke of Vitória (1849–1934) since 1900
• Arthur Charles Wellesley, 5th Duke of Vitória (1876–1941) since 1934
• Henry Valerian George Wellesley, 6th Duke of Vitória (1912–1943) since 1941
• Gerald Wellesley, 7th Duke of Vitória (1885–1972) since 1943
• Arthur Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke of Vitória (b. 1915) since 1972

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

See also

• Prins van Waterloo
• Duque de Ciudad Rodrigo