Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, recently gave an insightful interview to the Serbian press, sharing her experiences and thoughts on family, titles, and the importance of being together. The Duchess, a former Crown Princess of Yugoslavia, spoke candidly about her recent visit to Serbia, where she rushed to the hospital to see her son, Hereditary Prince Philip, who had been admitted unexpectedly.
In the interview, Princess Maria da Gloria discussed her family dynamics, including the renunciation of her eldest son, Prince Peter, and her efforts to keep her family close. She also reflected on her first meeting with her former husband, Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia, and the challenges they faced. The Duchess emphasized the significance 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 personal life of a royal figure, highlighting the importance of love and unity in the face of adversity[1].
what were the main topics Princess Maria da Gloria discussed in her interview
- Family and Titles: She emphasized the importance of family, stating that titles and royal positions are secondary to family bonds. She expressed her sadness that her attempt to spend time with her son and grandson at the Serbian court was unsuccessful.
- Renunciation of Prince Peter: The Duchess spoke positively about her eldest son, Prince Peter, who renounced his rights to the Serbian throne. She mentioned that his decision was an act of patriotism and that she supports his happiness, which includes his marriage to a Serbian woman.
- Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: Princess Maria da Gloria described her relationship with her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander, as difficult. She noted that he rarely sees their grandson, Prince Stefan, and that her attempts to spend time with him at the court were unsuccessful.
- Meeting Crown Prince Alexander: She recalled meeting Crown Prince Alexander at a dinner party in Estoril, Portugal, where they became close friends before getting engaged.
- Pride in Her Children: The Duchess expressed pride in her children, stating that they help each other and are a happy family.
These topics provide insight into the personal life and values of Princess Maria da Gloria, highlighting her commitment to 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 Serbian throne
why did Prince Peter decide to renounce his rights 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 Princess Maria da Gloria’s interview
- Family and Titles: She emphasized the importance of family, stating that titles and royal positions are secondary to family bonds. She expressed her sadness that her attempt to spend time with her son and grandson at the Serbian court was unsuccessful.
- Renunciation of Prince Peter: The Duchess spoke positively about her eldest son, Prince Peter, who renounced his rights to the Serbian throne. She mentioned that his decision was an act of patriotism and that she supports his happiness, which includes his marriage to a Serbian woman.
- Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: Princess Maria da Gloria described her relationship with her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander, as difficult. She noted that he rarely sees their grandson, Prince Stefan, and that her attempts to spend time with him at the court were unsuccessful.
- Meeting Crown Prince Alexander: She recalled meeting Crown Prince Alexander at a dinner party in Estoril, Portugal, where they became close friends before getting engaged.
- Pride in Her Children: The Duchess expressed pride in her children, stating that they help each other and are a happy family.
These topics provide insight into the personal life and values of Princess Maria da Gloria, highlighting her commitment to family and her experiences within the royal family.
As we conclude this article about Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, we are reminded of the importance of family and the sacrifices that come with being part of a royal family. The Duchess’s recent visit to Serbia, where she rushed to the hospital to see her son, Hereditary Prince Philip, who was admitted unexpectedly, highlights her unwavering dedication to her family. Despite the challenges she faces, Princess Maria da Gloria remains committed to her role as a mother and a member of the royal family, always putting the needs of others before her own. Her words, “Family is the most important thing. You can be Karađorđević or whatever, carry important titles, but family is family,” resonate deeply and serve as a reminder of the values that truly matter in life.
As we reflect on the Duchess’s experiences and the challenges she has faced, we are reminded that being part of a royal family is not without its difficulties. The Duchess has spoken candidly about her struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy in her life, despite the demands of her royal duties. Her ability to balance her responsibilities as a mother and a member of the royal family is truly admirable, and her dedication to her family is a testament to her strength and resilience. As we conclude this article, we are left with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices that Princess Maria da Gloria makes every day to be there for her family and to fulfill her duties as a member of the royal family. Her story serves as a reminder that, no matter what challenges we face, family is always the most important thing, and that with love and dedication, we can overcome even the most difficult obstacles.
what are some key takeaways from Princess Maria da Gloria’s interview
- Family is the Most Important Thing: Princess Maria da Gloria emphasized the significance of family, stating that titles and royal positions are secondary to family bonds. She expressed her sadness that her attempt to spend time with her son and grandson at the Serbian court was unsuccessful.
- Support for Prince Peter’s Decision: The Duchess of Segorbe supported her eldest son, Prince Peter, who renounced his rights to the Serbian throne in favor of his younger brother, Prince Philip. She noted that Peter’s decision was an act of patriotism and that she is happy for his happiness, which includes his decision to renounce the throne.
- Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: Princess Maria da Gloria described her relationship with her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander, as difficult. She mentioned that he rarely sees their grandson, Prince Stefan, and that her attempts to spend time with him at the court were unsuccessful.
- Meeting Crown Prince Alexander: She recalled meeting Crown Prince Alexander at a dinner party in Estoril, Portugal, where they became close friends before getting engaged.
- Pride in Her Children: The Duchess expressed pride in her children, stating that they help each other and are a happy family.
These key points highlight the importance of family and the challenges faced by Princess Maria da Gloria in her personal and professional life.
