Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, recently gave an insightful interview to the Serbian press, sharing her experiences and thoughts on family and her connections to the Serbian royal family. The Duchess, a former Crown Princess of Yugoslavia, spoke candidly about her recent visit to Serbia, where she rushed to her son’s side after learning he had been hospitalized.
In the interview, Princess Maria da Gloria discussed her family dynamics, including her eldest son Prince Peter’s renunciation of his royal titles. She also reflected on her first meeting with her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia, and the challenges she faced as a member of the royal family. The Duchess emphasized the importance of family, stating, “Family is the most important thing. You can be Karađorđević or whatever, carry important titles, but family is family.” Her words offer a glimpse into the complexities and challenges faced by members of royal families[1].
what were the main topics Princess Maria da Gloria discussed in her interview
- Family Dynamics and Hospital Visit:
- She rushed to Belgrade after learning her son Philip was hospitalized, despite her ex-husband Crown Prince Alexander not inviting her to the court.
- She emphasized the importance of family, stating that “family is the most important thing. You can be Karađorđević or whatever, carry important titles, but family is family”.
- Renunciation of Titles:
- Her eldest son Prince Peter renounced his royal titles to support his brother Philip, who is the hereditary prince of the Karađorđević dynasty.
- She expressed her support for Peter’s decision, stating that it was an act of patriotism and that she prioritized her children’s happiness.
- Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander:
- She described her relationship with Crown Prince Alexander as difficult, mentioning that he rarely sees his grandson Stefan.
- She noted that the attempt to be like a family and have Stefan spend time with his grandfather failed.
- Meeting Her First Husband:
- She recalled meeting Crown Prince Alexander at a dinner in Estoril, Portugal, where they became close friends before getting engaged.
- She mentioned that her mother was concerned about Alexander’s height compared to hers.
- Pride in Her Children:
- She expressed pride in all her children, stating that they help each other and are a happy family.
- She noted that her children are supportive of each other, with her son Alexander and his brother Peter both backing Philip’s decisions.
These topics provide insight into the personal life and values of Princess Maria da Gloria, highlighting her strong emphasis on family and her experiences within the royal family.
what did Princess Maria da Gloria say about her son Prince Peter’s decision to renounce his rights to the throne
“Peter left his rights to Filip, and that is an act of patriotism. He himself said that he is not ready to take on that duty. His abdication is perfectly fine with me. First of all, because of Peter’s happiness, and then – here, in Serbia, Filip has married a beautiful Serbian woman, who understands all of that. See, Dana even looks like me, like she is my daughter And my son Alexander also supported this, and he and Peter told me: ‘Mom, whatever Filip needs, we will fight for him’.“
She emphasized that her son’s decision was motivated by his happiness and the support he receives from his family, particularly his brother Prince Philip and his wife Princess Danica.
why did Prince Peter decide to renounce his rights to the throne
- Personal Choice: Prince Peter believed that the heir to the throne should live with his family in Serbia among his people. He felt that his younger brother Philip had already tied his and his family’s life to Serbia when they moved from London to Belgrade in 2020, while he wished to remain in Seville, Spain.
- Family Dynamics: Prince Peter’s decision was also influenced by his desire to support his brother Philip, who was already married and had a son, Prince Stefan. This choice allowed Prince Peter to prioritize his own happiness and personal life, which he felt was more important than his royal duties.
- Practical Considerations: Prince Peter, who was not married and did not have children, likely recognized that his younger brother Philip, who was married and had a son, was better positioned to carry on the royal legacy and ensure the continuation of the dynasty.
These factors led Prince Peter to renounce his birth rights and transfer them to his brother Prince Philip, who is now the next in line to the Serbian throne.
Last week, Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans-Bragança, Duchess of Segorbe and former Crown Princess of Yugoslavia, gave an interview to the Serbian paper Kurir. The princess was wrapping up her fourth visit to Serbia: the first was in 2005 for the sixtieth birthday of her ex-husband Crown Prince Alexander, the second was in 2017 for the wedding of her son and daughter-in-law Hereditary Prince Philip and Hereditary Princess Danica, and the third was in 2018 for the baptism of her grandson Prince Stefan of Serbia.
Maria da Gloria’s fourth visit to Serbia was rather unexpected. The princess had been in Venice with her husband, the Duke of Segorbe. During dinner, Maria learned that her son had been admitted to hospital. She immediately caught the first available flight to Belgrade…and, like any caring mom, she showed up unannounced. As Princess Danica was with her husband, Princess Maria da Gloria went ahead and picked up her grandson Prince Stefan from his kindergarten, where he made sure she was introduced to his teachers and classmates. Maria da Gloria then went to the hospital to check on the condition of her son. Fortunately, he was alright. The Duchess of Segorbe remarked: “I came on the first flight as soon as I heard that my son Filip was in the hospital. Thank God it was nothing serious, everything is fine now. I told my ex-husband, the heir to the throne Crown Prince Aleksandar of Serbia, that I was here, that I wanted to go to the court [Royal Palace], but no – he didn’t invite me, nor Filip, nor Danica. The attempt to be like a family, for Stefan to be with his grandfather, who practically does not know him, failed. All this hurts me a lot, because family is the most important thing. You can be Karađorđević or whatever, carry important titles, but family is family.”
The Duchess of Segorbe commented on the renunciation of her eldest son Prince Peter: “Peter left his rights to the Serbian throne to Filip, and that is an act of patriotism. He himself said that he is not ready to take on that duty. His abdication is perfectly fine with me. First of all, because of Peter’s happiness, and then – here, in Serbia, Filip has married a beautiful Serbian woman, who understands all of that. See, Dana even looks like me, like she is my daughter! And my son Alexander also supported this, and he and Peter told me: ‘Mom, whatever Filip needs, we will fight for him.’” The princess then added: “The relationship with Crown Prince Alexander is a difficult story.” When asked if Crown Princess Katherine was a factor in the schism within the Serbian royal family, Princess Maria da Gloria noted: “You should ask Crown Prince Alexander, not me. He almost never sees his grandson, and Stefan has been in Spain many times, for Christmas and so on… It’s very sad. The attempt to be like a family, for Stefan to be with his grandfather, has not worked.“
Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans-Bragança recalled when she met her first husband, Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia: “Oh, my goodness, it was beautiful. I met Alexander at a dinner at my aunt and uncle’s house, the Count and Countess of Paris, in Estoril. He came with the King of Italy, Umberto II, whom we called Uncle Beppo. It was a time of exile, there were many kings and princes were around. Alexander and I became very good friends from the start, and as he was in the British Army, I went to Ireland, where he was stationed, to see him. Then we got engaged and I went back to Brazil to tell my parents. My mother was a strong Catholic, and the first thing she asked me was not what his religion was, but: ‘Is he taller than you?’“
The Duchess of Sergorbe noted how proud she was of all of her children. “All my children help each other, they would do anything to save each other. They are brothers and sisters. Basically we are a very happy family. Thank God for that.“
A thank you to Lucas Szkopinski for finding the full interview in English! In order to read everything that Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, had to say, please visit this link:
what are the main themes discussed in the article
- Family Dynamics and Hospital Visit:
- She rushed to Belgrade after learning her son Philip was hospitalized, despite her ex-husband Crown Prince Alexander not inviting her to the court.
- She emphasized the importance of family, stating that “family is the most important thing. You can be Karađorđević or whatever, carry important titles, but family is family”.
- Renunciation of Titles:
- Her eldest son Prince Peter renounced his royal titles to support his brother Philip, who is the hereditary prince of the Karađorđević dynasty.
- She expressed her support for Peter’s decision, stating that it was an act of patriotism and that she prioritized her children’s happiness.
- Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander:
- She described her relationship with Crown Prince Alexander as difficult, mentioning that he rarely sees his grandson Stefan.
- She noted that the attempt to be like a family and have Stefan spend time with his grandfather failed.
- Meeting Her First Husband:
- She recalled meeting Crown Prince Alexander at a dinner in Estoril, Portugal, where they became close friends before getting engaged.
- She mentioned that her mother was concerned about Alexander’s height compared to hers.
- Pride in Her Children:
- She expressed pride in all her children, stating that they help each other and are a happy family.
- She noted that her children are supportive of each other, with her son Alexander and his brother Peter both backing Philip’s decisions.
These topics provide insight into the personal life and values of Princess Maria da Gloria, highlighting her strong emphasis on family and her experiences within the royal family.
As we conclude our exploration of Princess Maria da Gloria’s insightful interview, it is clear that her dedication to her family and her values is unwavering. The Duchess of Segorbe’s heartfelt words about the importance of family, stating that “family is the most important thing. You can be Karađorđević or whatever, carry important titles, but family is family,” resonate deeply. Her willingness to put aside her royal duties and rush to her son’s side in times of need is a testament to her maternal love and devotion. This selflessness is a quality that is often overlooked in the world of royalty, but it is a reminder that even those with great power and influence are still human beings with the same fundamental needs and desires as the rest of us.
Princess Maria da Gloria’s story serves as a reminder that behind the grand titles and lavish lifestyles, there are real people with real emotions and struggles. Her experiences, both as a member of the royal family and as a mother, offer a glimpse into the complexities and challenges faced by those in positions of power. As we reflect on her words, we are reminded that “family is the most important thing” and that the bonds we form with those around us are what truly matter. We hope that this article has provided a valuable insight into the life of Princess Maria da Gloria and has inspired readers to cherish the importance of family in their own lives.
what other significant events have Princess Maria da Gloria been involved in recently
- Hospital Visit: She rushed to Belgrade to visit her son Philip, who was hospitalized, despite her ex-husband Crown Prince Alexander not inviting her to the court. This event highlights her maternal love and dedication to her family.
- Renunciation of Titles: Her eldest son Prince Peter renounced his rights to the Serbian throne in favor of his younger brother Prince Philip. Princess Maria da Gloria expressed her support for this decision, stating that it was an act of patriotism and prioritized her children’s happiness.
- Meeting Her First Husband: She recalled meeting her first husband, Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia, at a dinner in Estoril, Portugal, where they became close friends before getting engaged. This event provides insight into her early life and relationships.
- Family Dynamics: Princess Maria da Gloria discussed her family dynamics, including her relationships with her children and her ex-husband. She emphasized the importance of family, stating that “family is the most important thing. You can be Karađorđević or whatever, carry important titles, but family is family”.
- Pride in Her Children: She expressed pride in all her children, stating that they help each other and are a happy family. This event highlights her love and support for her children.
These events demonstrate Princess Maria da Gloria’s commitment to her family and her values, as well as her experiences within the royal family.
