In 1821 he gave his support to the regent Pedro, who was left in charge when his father John VI returned to Portugal. By mid‐1822 leading Brazilians were determined that their country should become independent and in December Pedro I was crowned Emperor of Brazil, with Andrada appointed as Prime Minister. With his two brothers he drew up a draft constitution, but antagonism developed with the emperor, and Andrada was exiled. In 1831 he was invited to return to Brazil by the emperor to become the tutor of his son. When Pedro I abdicated in April 1831 in favour of the boy, Pedro II, Andrada was confirmed as tutor by the council of regency. He was later arrested for “political intrigue” and again left the country.