Princess Maria da Gloria: A Royal Family’s Unbreakable Bonds

Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, recently shared an insightful interview with the Serbian press, offering a glimpse into her life and the challenges she has faced. The former Crown Princess of Yugoslavia, known for her dedication to her family, spoke candidly about her experiences and the importance of family bonds.

Family is at the heart of Princess Maria da Gloria’s life, as she emphasized in the interview. She recounted her unexpected visit to her son, Prince Philip, in the hospital, highlighting the significance of being there for loved ones. The Duchess of Segorbe also touched on the topic of her eldest son, Prince Peter, who renounced his royal titles, stating that the attempt to maintain family unity had not been successful. Her words offer a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges that come with royal life[1].

what were the main topics Princess Maria da Gloria discussed in her interview

what were the main topics Princess Maria da Gloria discussed in her interview

Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, discussed several topics in her interview, including:

  1. Family and Family Ties: She emphasized the importance of family and how it is the most crucial aspect of her life. She shared her experiences of visiting her son Philip in the hospital and her disappointment that her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander, did not invite her to the court.
  2. Renunciation of Royal Titles: She spoke about her eldest son, Prince Peter, renouncing his royal titles and how this decision was an act of patriotism. She also mentioned that she respects her son’s decision, as her children’s happiness comes first for her.
  3. Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: The princess mentioned that her relationship with Crown Prince Alexander is a difficult story and that they have not been able to maintain a close family bond. She also noted that her son Alexander barely knows his grandson Stefan.
  4. Personal Experiences: She shared her personal experiences, such as meeting her first husband, Crown Prince Alexander, at a dinner in Estoril, and how she became close friends with him. She also recalled her first visit to Serbia in 2005 for her ex-husband’s birthday.
  5. Pride in Her Children: Princess Maria da Gloria expressed her pride in all of her children, stating that they help each other and are very happy together. She noted that they are a very happy family, and she is grateful for that.

what did Princess Maria da Gloria say about her son Prince Peter’s decision to renounce his rights to the Serbian throne

what did Princess Maria da Gloria say about her son Prince Peter's decision to renounce his rights to the Serbian throne

Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, commented on her son Prince Peter’s decision to renounce his rights to the Serbian throne, stating that she respects his decision. She noted that her children’s happiness comes first for her and that she is grateful that they are all happy together.

why did Prince Peter decide to renounce his succession rights

Prince Peter of Serbia renounced his succession rights in favor of his younger brother, Prince Philip, on April 27, 2022. The decision was witnessed by his mother, Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans-Braganza, his stepfather, the Duke of Segorbe, his brother Prince Philip, and his sister-in-law Princess Danica.

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: 

EXCLUSIVE! Princess Maria da Gloria: ‘I flew in to see Philip, who was in hospital! Alexander wouldn’t see us at court’

what are the main themes discussed in Princess Maria da Gloria’s interview

Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, discussed several topics in her interview, including:

  1. Family and Family Ties: She emphasized the importance of family and how it is the most crucial aspect of her life. She shared her experiences of visiting her son Philip in the hospital and her disappointment that her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander, did not invite her to the court.
  2. Renunciation of Royal Titles: She spoke about her eldest son, Prince Peter, renouncing his royal titles and how this decision was an act of patriotism. She also mentioned that she respects her son’s decision, as her children’s happiness comes first for her.
  3. Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: The princess mentioned that her relationship with Crown Prince Alexander is a difficult story and that they have not been able to maintain a close family bond. She also noted that her son Alexander barely knows his grandson Stefan.
  4. Personal Experiences: She shared her personal experiences, such as meeting her first husband, Crown Prince Alexander, at a dinner in Estoril, and how she became close friends with him. She also recalled her first visit to Serbia in 2005 for her ex-husband’s birthday.
  5. Pride in Her Children: Princess Maria da Gloria expressed her pride in all of her children, stating that they help each other and are very happy together. She noted that they are a very happy family, and she is grateful for that.

As we conclude this article about Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, we are reminded of the importance of family and the complexities that come with royal life. The princess’s dedication to her children and her role as a mother is truly admirable, and her willingness to share her experiences with us is a testament to her openness and honesty. It is clear that family is at the heart of everything she does, and her love for her children is unwavering. Family is indeed the most important thing, as she so eloquently put it, and it is a value that we can all learn from.

As we reflect on the princess’s journey, we are struck by the challenges she has faced and the resilience she has shown. From her unexpected visit to her son Philip in the hospital to her struggles with her ex-husband’s reluctance to involve her in family matters, Princess Maria da Gloria has faced many difficult situations. Yet, through it all, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to her children and her role as a mother. Her story serves as a reminder that family is not just a title or a set of responsibilities, but a fundamental aspect of our humanity. We hope that this article has provided a glimpse into the life of this remarkable woman and has inspired our readers to cherish the importance of family in their own lives.

what are some key takeaways from Princess Maria da Gloria’s interview

Key takeaways from Princess Maria da Gloria’s interview include:

  1. Family is the Most Important Thing: The princess emphasizes the significance of family and how it is the most crucial aspect of her life. She shares her experiences of visiting her son Philip in the hospital and her disappointment that her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander, did not invite her to the court.
  2. Respect for Children’s Happiness: Princess Maria da Gloria respects her children’s decisions, including her eldest son Prince Peter’s renunciation of his rights to the Serbian throne. She notes that her children’s happiness comes first for her.
  3. Personal Experiences: She shares her personal experiences, such as meeting her first husband, Crown Prince Alexander, at a dinner in Estoril, and how she became close friends with him. She also recalled her first visit to Serbia in 2005 for her ex-husband’s birthday.
  4. Pride in Her Children: The princess expresses her pride in all of her children, stating that they help each other and are very happy together. She notes that they are a very happy family, and she is grateful for that.
  5. Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: Princess Maria da Gloria mentions that her relationship with Crown Prince Alexander is a difficult story. She also notes that he barely knows his grandson Stefan and that the attempt to be like a family has not worked.
  6. Support for Her Children: The princess highlights her support for her children, particularly her son Philip, who has married a Serbian woman, Danica. She notes that her children are doing the right thing for Serbia and that she is proud of them.
  7. Importance of Serbia: Princess Maria da Gloria emphasizes her connection to Serbia, noting that she has visited the country several times and has a deep appreciation for its culture and people.

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