Dom Carlos was born in Ajuda Palace, on 28 September, 1863. The son of Maria of Savoy and King Luís I was brought up to be king and revealed a strong aptitude for the arts, sport and observing nature from an early age. He inherited his father's passion for the sea, which was reflected in his artistic and scientific work.
Influenced by mankind's growing interest in the study of the sea and inspired by Prince Albert of Monaco, the European monarch scientist whom he met at a young age and of whom he became a friend and correspondent, Dom Carlos decided to scientifically explore the sea off the Portuguese coast.
Between 1889 and 1908, the young king successfully devoted himself to a wide range of activities, namely Art and some branches of Science, such as Ornithology and Oceanography. In this area he is considered one of the world's pioneers, by many the 'Father of Portuguese Oceanography', having left behind a work of internationally recognised merit.
Committed to disseminating scientific knowledge like few others in his time, DomCarlos made the results of oceanographic campaigns known to the general public through publications in Portuguese and exhibitions with zoological specimens and instruments commonly used in oceanography, often on display for the first time, never losing sight of the purpose he set for himself as a man of science: “To seek knowledge and give knowledge away”.