The title was created by King John IV of Portugal on 27 October 1645 in favor of his eldest son and heir Infante Teodósio, soon after Portugal had gotten rid of its Spanish rulers.
During the 1645–1815, "Prince of Brazil" was always conferred on the heir apparent of the throne, who also received the title of Duke of Braganza.
The title was abolished when Brazil became independent and joined the United Kingdom of Portugal.
Other members of the Brazilian Imperial Family were known by the title of Prince or Princess prefixed to their given names, with the style of Highness.
The Portuguese title of Prince of Brazil, that existed as a title of the Portuguese heir apparent only while Brazil was still a possession of Portugal, should therefore not be confused with the later ranks of Brazilian Prince or Brazilian Princess, that stem from the era of the Empire of Brazil.