The imperial family of Brazil was united in sorrow this Saturday, the day after the death of Prince Antônio of Orléans-Braganza. The funeral and burial of the Prince Imperial took place on November 9 in Vassouras, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in the presence of Prince Bertrand, head of the Imperial family, and Prince Rafael, new heir to the Imperial family. .
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Funeral of Prince Antônio of Orléans-Braganza in Vassouras
Prince Antônio of Orléans-Braganza died on November 8, 2024 at the age of 74. Prince Antônio was titled Prince Imperial as the dynastic heir of his brother, Prince Bertrand, current head of the Imperial Family of Brazil. The descendant of Emperor Peter II died in hospital where he had been staying since July for respiratory problems.
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Since the death of the Prince Imperial, the widow and children of Prince Antônio received the condolences of their loved ones during the vigil at the Imperial Brotherhood of Our Lady of Glory of Outeiro in Rio de Janeiro. The coffin left the brotherhood this Saturday afternoon and joined the mother church of Our Lady of Conception in Vassouras, stronghold of the imperial family, escorted by soldiers of the Brazilian Navy. Burial then took place in the Imperial Family Mausoleum at the Fraternité de Notre-Dame de la Conception cemetery.
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Princess Christine and her children mourn the disappearance of Prince Antônio
Prince Antônio married Princess Christine de Ligne in 1981. The Belgian princess is the sister of Prince Michel, current head of the illustrious Belgian princely family. The same year, Prince Michel married Princess Eleonora of Orléans-Braganza, one of Prince Antônio’s sisters. Prince Antônio and Princess Christine had four children: Prince Pedro Luiz (died in a plane crash in 2009), Princess Amelia (1984), Prince Rafael (1986) and Princess Maria Gabriela (1989). Prince Rafael now becomes his uncle’s new dynastic heir and the future head of the imperial family.
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The funeral and burial took place very soon after the Prince Imperial’s death, preventing guests and extended family from arranging a trip to Brazil. After mass, Prince Antônio joined the family mausoleum, where his parents, Prince Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza (1909-1981) and Princess Marie-Élisabeth of Bavaria (1914-2011), rest.
Prince Pedro Henrique, great-grandson of Emperor Peter II, was the head of the imperial family for almost 60 years. In 1981, his son Luiz succeeded him. Prince Luiz led the imperial family for 41 years, until his death in July 2022. He died childless and was succeeded by his brother Bertrand. The current head of the imperial family has no children and Prince Antônio was therefore his heir, today his nephew Rafael.
The mausoleum was painted by two daughters of Prince Pedro Henrique, Princesses Marie-Gabrielle and Marie-Thérèse. In addition to his parents and one of his sisters, Princess Isabella, Prince Antônio also joins his son, Prince Pedro Luiz who is buried in this mausoleum. The Petropolis branch of the imperial family was represented by Prince Francisco Teodoro. Among the relatives of the family were also members of the Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira Institute (IPCO).
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor-in-chief
Nicolas Fontaine has been a designer-editor and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in royal family news, Nicolas founded the site Histoires royales of which he is the editor-in-chief. [email protected]
