I would appreciate your kindness in helping me understand the difference between the de jure and the de facto situation of the government of Spain.
I think (but may be wrong) that the situation in Portugal was much simpler. In the face of an invasion the Portuguese Monarch packed-up his stuff and moved to Brazil, an integral part of his dominion. There he maintained his throne and international recognition as the de jure government of Portugal.
However, Spain was much more complex. Firstly, I am not aware of a move of a claimant to the Spanish throne to an American colony. Indeed, I think the colonies were not welcoming territories; they preferred a taste of independence. Then the home provinces had some variation in relationship with the monarch. Layered on that was the complicated family lines controlling the inheritance of the throne. I think the family fought about it more than the Spanish People themselves did.
I blush to admit that I have not been able to sort out the juridical situation of the Spanish throne during Napoleon's adventures in Spain. Could you sketch it for me?
I remain most appreciative, BaldJim