**New Addition to the Georgian Royal Family Expected in 2021**
Prince Juan Bagration-Mukhransky and his wife, Princess Kristine, have announced that they are expecting their first child in early 2021. This joyous news marks a significant milestone for the Georgian royal family, with the new addition being a great-great-great-grandchild of King Alfonso XII of Spain. The couple, who are both deeply involved in promoting Georgian culture, will welcome their child in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. This development is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Bagration dynasty, which has played a pivotal role in Georgian history and culture.
what are the key historical events involving the Bagration dynasty
- Early Origins and Rise to Power:
- The Bagrationi family emerged as prominent under the Sassanid Persian Empire in the 6th century.
- They expanded their domain under Byzantine protection, with Ashot I becoming the presiding prince of Kartli in 813.
- Restoration of the Georgian Monarchy:
- Adarnase I restored the Georgian monarchy in 888, marking the beginning of the unified Kingdom of Georgia.
- Golden Age:
- The reigns of David IV (1089-1125) and Queen Tamar (1184-1213) are considered the Golden Age of the Bagrationi Dynasty, characterized by significant military successes and cultural achievements.
- Decline and Fragmentation:
- The 13th-century invasions by the Khwarezmians and Mongols led to the fragmentation of Georgia into three separate kingdoms: Kartli, Kakheti, and Imereti.
- Treaty of Georgievsk and Russian Annexation:
- The Treaty of Georgievsk in 1783 guaranteed the Bagrationi dynasty’s sovereignty, but the Russian Empire later broke the treaty and fully annexed Georgia in 1801.
- Legacy:
- Despite the end of their reign, the Bagrationi family remained prominent within the Russian Empire and later in Western Europe. Today, the dynasty symbolizes Georgia’s rich history and cultural heritage.
These key events highlight the significant milestones in the history of the Bagrationi dynasty, from their early rise to power to their eventual decline and legacy.
what were the major achievements of David IV the Builder
- Military Conquests:
- He defeated the Seljuk Turks in the Battle of Didgori in 1121, liberating Tbilisi and unifying Georgia.
- He captured the fortress of Zedazeni in 1101, and within three years, he liberated most of eastern Georgia.
- Administrative Reforms:
- He centralized power by defeating rebellious feudal lords.
- He reformed the Georgian Orthodox Church, limiting its authority and expanding royal oversight.
- Cultural and Educational Achievements:
- He founded the first medieval academies in Georgia, including Gelati, Ikalto, and Gremi.
- He promoted education and the revival of Georgian hymn writing, composing the powerful work “Galobani sinanulisani” (Hymns of Repentance).
- Economic and Humanitarian Efforts:
- He began the resettlement of devastated regions and helped to revive major cities.
- He facilitated the construction of monasteries and churches, including the Gelati Monastery and Academy.
- Expansion of Georgia’s Sphere of Influence:
- He expanded Georgia’s influence by capturing neighboring territories, including Armenia, Shirwan, and the northern Caucasus.
These achievements solidified David IV’s reputation as one of the greatest Georgian rulers in history, transforming Georgia into a strong and unified state during his 36-year reign.
how did David IV’s military campaigns shape the borders of Georgia
- Defeating the Seljuks:
- He defeated the Seljuks in the Battle of Didgori in 1121, liberating Tbilisi and unifying Georgia.
- He captured the fortress of Zedazeni in 1101 and within three years, he liberated most of eastern Georgia.
- Expansion into Shirvan and Kakheti:
- He invaded Shirvan, capturing the town of Gulistan and directly annexing the region, extending Georgia’s borders from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea.
- He captured the fortress of Qabala and ravaged the country from Arbia-lizhatat to Khishtalanti and Kurdevan.
- Reclaiming Land from the Turks:
- He led campaigns in the southeast, taking the Turkish bastions of Arsharunik and Sevgelamej.
- He pushed the Seljuk Turks out of the country, recovering more and more land from them as they focused on the Crusades in the eastern Mediterranean.
- Establishing the Kipchaks:
- He invited the northern Turkish tribes of Kipchaks to settle at the borders of Georgia, which increased the military potential of the royal army.
These military campaigns not only expanded Georgia’s borders but also helped to unify the country and establish a strong centralized state under King David IV.
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| Prince Juan and Princess Kristine Bagration-Mukhransky. Photograph courtesy of Prince Juan. |
Prince Juan Bagration-Mukhransky and his wife Princess Kristine have released the joyous news that they are expecting their first child in early 2021. The couple live in Tbilisi. The latest member of the Bagration dynasty will be a great-great-great-grandchild of King Alfonso XII of Spain.
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| Prince Juan and Princess Kristine. Photograph courtesy of Princess Kristine. |
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| Kristine and Juan. Photograph courtesy of Princess Kristine Bagration. |
Born at Madrid in 1977, Prince Juan Jorge is the son of the late Prince Bagrat Bagration-Mukhransky (1949-2017) and his first wife Doña Maria del Carmen Ulloa y Suelves (b.1953). Juan has one sibling, Princess Inès (b.1980; married George Gvishiani). In 2003, Prince Juan married Floriane del Rio y Thorn; the couple later divorced. Prince Juan is a grandson of Prince Irakly Bagration (1909-1977) and his second wife Infanta María de las Mercedes of Spain (1911-1953). The prince studied at the Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil. Prince Juan is the founder of the Georgian Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to promote Georgian culture.
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| Prince Juan and Princess Kristine at their civil wedding in 2014. |
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| The 2018 religious wedding of Prince Juan and Princess Kristine. |
Born at Tbilisi in 1989, Princess Kristine Bagration-Mukhransky is the daughter of Temur Dzidziguri and Lali Vashakidze, a veterinarian. Princess Kristine is a sociologist and a former model. Prince Juan Bagaration and Kristine Dzidziguri married civilly on 10 May 2014 at Ronda, Málaga, Spain. The prince and princess celebrated their religious wedding on 3 June 2018 at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta, Georgia. Prince Charles-Henri Lobkowicz, a fifth cousin of the groom, acted as Prince Juan’s best man.
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| The Prince and Princess Bagration-Mukhransky. Photograph courtesy of Princess Kristine. |
Our congratulations to Prince Juan and Princess Kristine on this happy news!
what are the main achievements of David IV
- Early Origins and Rise to Power:
- The Bagrationi family emerged as prominent under the Sassanid Persian Empire in the 6th century.
- They expanded their domain under Byzantine protection, with Ashot I becoming the presiding prince of Kartli in 813.
- Restoration of the Georgian Monarchy:
- Adarnase I restored the Georgian monarchy in 888, marking the beginning of the unified Kingdom of Georgia.
- Golden Age:
- The reigns of David IV (1089-1125) and Queen Tamar (1184-1213) are considered the Golden Age of the Bagrationi Dynasty, characterized by significant military successes and cultural achievements.
- Decline and Fragmentation:
- The 13th-century invasions by the Khwarezmians and Mongols led to the fragmentation of Georgia into three separate kingdoms: Kartli, Kakheti, and Imereti.
- Treaty of Georgievsk and Russian Annexation:
- The Treaty of Georgievsk in 1783 guaranteed the Bagrationi dynasty’s sovereignty, but the Russian Empire later broke the treaty and fully annexed Georgia in 1801.
- Legacy:
- Despite the end of their reign, the Bagrationi family remained prominent within the Russian Empire and later in Western Europe. Today, the dynasty symbolizes Georgia’s rich history and cultural heritage.
These key events highlight the significant milestones in the history of the Bagrationi dynasty, from their early rise to power to their eventual decline and legacy.
As we conclude this article about the new addition to the Georgian Royal Family, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Prince Juan Bagration-Mukhransky and his wife, Princess Kristine, on their expected arrival in early 2021. This joyous news marks a significant milestone for the Bagrationi Dynasty, with the new addition being a great-great-great-grandchild of King Alfonso XII of Spain. The couple, who are both deeply involved in promoting Georgian culture, will welcome their child in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. This development is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Bagration dynasty, which has played a pivotal role in Georgian history and culture.
The Bagrationi family has a rich and complex history spanning several centuries. From their early rise to power under the Sassanid Persian Empire to their eventual decline and fragmentation, the dynasty has left an indelible mark on the country. Today, the Bagrationi family remains a symbol of Georgia’s rich heritage and cultural identity. As we look forward to the arrival of the new addition to the family, we are reminded of the importance of preserving and promoting our cultural heritage. We wish Prince Juan and Princess Kristine all the best as they prepare to welcome their child and continue the legacy of the Bagrationi dynasty.
what are the historical significance of the Bagrationi dynasty
- Restoration of the Georgian Monarchy:
- Adarnase I restored the Georgian monarchy in 888, marking the beginning of the unified Kingdom of Georgia.
- Golden Age:
- The reigns of David IV (1089-1125) and Queen Tamar (1184-1213) are celebrated as the Golden Age of Georgia, characterized by significant military successes and cultural achievements.
- Expansion and Fragmentation:
- The dynasty expanded Georgia’s influence across the Caucasus and into eastern Anatolia and northern Iran under David IV.
- The 13th-century invasions by the Khwarezmians and Mongols led to the fragmentation of Georgia into three separate kingdoms: Kartli, Kakheti, and Imereti.
- Treaty of Georgievsk and Russian Annexation:
- The Treaty of Georgievsk in 1783 guaranteed the Bagrationi dynasty’s sovereignty, but the Russian Empire later broke the treaty and fully annexed Georgia in 1801.
- Legacy:
- Despite the end of their reign, the Bagrationi family remained prominent within the Russian Empire and later in Western Europe, symbolizing Georgia’s rich history and cultural heritage.
These historical events highlight the significant milestones in the history of the Bagrationi dynasty, from their early rise to power to their eventual decline and legacy.
