On a fateful day in March 2020, before the world was forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a small but significant gathering took place at the residence of Prince Casimir of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and his wife Princess Maria Cristina in São Paolo, Brazil. The event was a family reunion, bringing together members of the royal families of Europe to celebrate a special occasion.
Among the esteemed guests were the Duke of Bragança, Prince Imperial Bertrand of Brazil, Count Alberto Farini, Prince Luiz Philippe of Orléans and Bragança, and Prince Casimir of Bourbon-Two Sicilies himself. The gathering was a testament to the enduring bonds between these royal families, who had come together to share in the joy and camaraderie of a special occasion. The soirée was a memorable event that would be cherished by all who attended, a reminder of the power of family and tradition in the face of adversity.
what other notable events have taken place at the residence of Prince Casimir and Princess Maria Cristina in São Paolo
what other royal families have visited Prince Casimir and Princess Maria Cristina in São Paolo
- The Royal House of Portugal: The Duke of Bragança and his daughter, the Duchess of Coimbra, attended a family reunion at the residence of Prince Casimir and Princess Maria Cristina in São Paolo. The Duke of Bragança is the Head of the Royal House of Portugal.
- The Royal House of Brazil: Prince Imperial Bertrand of Brazil, who lives in São Paolo, attended the gathering along with his nephew, Prince Luiz Philippe of Orléans and Bragança, who is a Federal Deputy in the Brazilian Congress.
- The Royal House of Savoy: Princess Maria Isabella of Savoy-Genoa, her daughter Countess Luce di Savoia Genova Frioli di Rezzano, and her granddaughter Sophia di Savoia Genova Frioli di Rezzano joined their cousins at the reunion. Maria Isabella is the only child of the last Duke and Duchess of Genoa, who moved to Brazil after World War II.
- The Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies: Prince Luis Alfonso of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the eldest son of Prince Casimir and Princess Maria Cristina, joined the dinner hosted by his parents. The prince lives in São Paolo with his second wife and three children.
which other royal families have close ties to the Bourbon-Two Sicilies family
- The Royal House of Spain: The Bourbon-Two Sicilies family is a cadet branch of the Spanish Bourbons, who are themselves an offshoot of the French-originating Bourbon dynasty. This connection is through Philip, Duke of Anjou, who established the Bourbon dynasty in Spain in 1700 as Philip V.
- The Royal House of France: The Bourbon-Two Sicilies family is also descended from the French-originating Bourbon dynasty, which ruled France from 1589 to 1792. This connection is through the marriage of Robert of Clermont, sixth son of St. Louis IX, King of France, to Beatrice, daughter of Agnes, Countess of Savoy and sister of Alice, wife of King Louis VI of France.
- The Royal House of Savoy: The Bourbon-Two Sicilies family has ties to the House of Savoy through the marriage of Agnes, Countess of Savoy, to Archembaud V, who succeeded his father and tied blood relations with the Capetians by marrying Agnes.
- The Royal House of Portugal: The Duke of Bragança, who attended a family reunion at the residence of Prince Casimir and Princess Maria Cristina in São Paolo, is the Head of the Royal House of Portugal. This connection is through the marriage of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies to Maria Carolina of Habsburg-Lorraine, daughter of Maria Teresa, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary.
- The Royal House of Italy: The Bourbon-Two Sicilies family ruled over the two kingdoms of Naples and Sicily from 1734 to 1816, then over the two unified kingdoms known as the Two Sicilies, until 1860. This connection is through the historical rule of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies over Southern Italy and Sicily.
These ties reflect the complex and interconnected nature of European royal families throughout history.
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| The Duke of Bragança, Prince Imperial Bertrand of Brazil, Count Alberto Farini, Prince Luiz Philippe of Orléans and Bragança, and Prince Casimir of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Photograph (c) Pró Monarquia. |
On 11 March 2020, before the world was completely changed by the coronavirus pandemic, Prince Casimir of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and his wife Princess Maria Cristina organised a gathering for family members at their home in São Paolo. Prince Casimir is the son of the late Prince Gabriele of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (1897-1975) and his second wife Princess Cecilia Lubomirska (1907-2001). In 1967, Casimir married Princess Maria Cristina of Savoy-Aosta, the daughter of Prince Amedeo of Savoy (1898-1942), Duke of Aosta, and Princess Anne d’Orléans (1906-1986).
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| Princess Maria Cristina of Savoy-Aosta, Luce Frioli, Sophia Frioli, and Princess Maria Isabella of Savoy-Genoa. Photograph (c) Pró Monarquia. |
Many cousins of Prince Casimir and Princess Maria Cristina attended the small soirée at their residence. Among those present were Dom Duarte Pio, Duke of Bragança and Head of the Royal House of Portugal, as well his daughter the Infanta Maria Francisca of Portugal, Duchess of Coimbra. Prince Imperial Dom Bertrand of Brazil, who also lives in São Paolo, was at the dinner as well as his nephew Prince Luiz Philippe of Orléans and Bragança, who is a Federal Deputy in the Brazilian Congress. In addition, Bertrand’s niece Princess Maria da Glória of Orléans and Bragança was also a guest. Casimir and Maria Cristina have always remained close to their Brazilian cousins.
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| Three Generations of the Women of the Savoy-Genoa Branch of the Italian Royal Family: Countess Luce Frioli, Countess Sophia Frioli, and Princess Maria Isabella of Savoy-Genoa. Photograph (c) Rinnovamento nella Tradizione – Croce Reale. |
Princess Maria Isabella of Savoy-Genoa, her daughter Countess Luce di Savoia Genova Frioli di Rezzano, and her granddaughter Sophia di Savoia Genova Frioli di Rezzano, who all live in the city, joined their cousins at this reunion. Maria Isabella is the only child of the last Duke and Duchess of Genoa: Prince Eugenio of Savoy-Genoa (1906-1996) and Princess Lucia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (1908-2001). After the end of the World War II, Eugenio and Lucia moved to Brazil with their daughter to make a new life. In 1971, Maria Isabella of Savoy-Genoa married Alberto Frioli, Count di Rezzano; the couple had four children: Vittorio (b.1972), Maria Cristina (1973-1973), Carlo Alberto (b.1974), and Marie Luce (b.1978). Maria Isabella has maintained close ties with her many royal relations in South America and Europe.
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| Among others: The Duke of Bragança with his daughter the Duchess of Coimbra, and then, on the far right, Prince Luis Alfonso of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Princess Maria da Gloria of Orléans and Bragança. Photograph (c) Pró Monarquia. |
Prince Luis Alfonso of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the eldest son of Prince Casimir and Princess Maria Cristina, joined in the dinner hosted by his parents. The prince lives in São Paolo together with his second wife and three children.
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| Duarte and Francisca of Portugal. Photograph (c) Pró Monarquia. |
The Duke of Bragança and his daughter had been in Brazil on a trip to celebrate Infanta Maria Francisca’s graduation from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Father and daughter visited the Amazon rainforest and then were able to spend time with their relatives in São Paolo, before returning to Portugal.
Casimir and Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies had planned on going to Italy to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of Maria Cristina’s sister, Archduchess Margherita of Austria-Este. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the couple were unable to do so and have stayed at their residence in Brazil.
what are the main themes of the article
As we conclude this article about the royal family reunion in São Paolo, we are reminded of the enduring bonds between these noble families. The gathering, which took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, brought together members of the royal families of Europe, including the Duke of Bragança, Prince Imperial Bertrand of Brazil, Count Alberto Farini, Prince Luiz Philippe of Orléans and Bragança, and Prince Casimir of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. The event was a testament to the power of family and tradition in the face of adversity, as these royal families came together to share in the joy and camaraderie of a special occasion.
Among the esteemed guests were the Duke of Bragança and his daughter the Duchess of Coimbra, who had been in Brazil on a trip to celebrate Infanta Maria Francisca’s graduation from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Father and daughter visited the Amazon rainforest and then were able to spend time with their relatives in São Paolo, before returning to Portugal. The gathering was a memorable event that would be cherished by all who attended, a reminder of the importance of family and tradition in the face of adversity. As we reflect on this right royal soiree, we are reminded of the enduring bonds between these noble families and the power of family and tradition in shaping our lives.
