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
- Family and Family Bonds: The Duchess emphasized the importance of family and her experiences with her children. She recounted her visit to her son, Prince Philip, in the hospital, highlighting the significance of being there for loved ones. She also spoke about her eldest son, Prince Peter, who renounced his royal titles, stating that the attempt to maintain family unity had not been successful.
- Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: Princess Maria da Gloria touched on the complexities of her relationship with her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia. She mentioned that the attempt to be like a family, for her grandson Stefan to be with his grandfather, had not worked out. This was particularly evident in the fact that Crown Prince Alexander rarely sees his grandson, Stefan.
- Renunciation of Prince Peter’s Titles: The Duchess commented on her eldest son, Prince Peter, who left his rights to the Serbian throne to his younger brother, Prince Philip. She noted that this was an act of patriotism and that she supported her son’s decision for his happiness.
- Personal Experiences and Challenges: Princess Maria da Gloria shared her personal experiences, including her first meeting with Crown Prince Alexander at a dinner in Estoril, Portugal. She also spoke about her pride in her children, stating that they help each other and are a very happy family.
These topics provide insight into the personal life and challenges faced by Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, as well as her views on family and her experiences with her children.
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 points of Princess Maria da Gloria’s interview
- Family and Family Bonds: The Duchess emphasized the importance of family and her experiences with her children. She recounted her visit to her son, Prince Philip, in the hospital, highlighting the significance of being there for loved ones. She also spoke about her eldest son, Prince Peter, who renounced his royal titles, stating that the attempt to maintain family unity had not been successful.
- Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: Princess Maria da Gloria touched on the complexities of her relationship with her ex-husband, Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia. She mentioned that the attempt to be like a family, for her grandson Stefan to be with his grandfather, had not worked out. This was particularly evident in the fact that Crown Prince Alexander rarely sees his grandson, Stefan.
- Renunciation of Prince Peter’s Titles: The Duchess commented on her eldest son, Prince Peter, who left his rights to the Serbian throne to his younger brother, Prince Philip. She noted that this was an act of patriotism and that she supported her son’s decision for his happiness.
- Personal Experiences and Challenges: Princess Maria da Gloria shared her personal experiences, including her first meeting with Crown Prince Alexander at a dinner in Estoril, Portugal. She also spoke about her pride in her children, stating that they help each other and are a very happy family.
These topics provide insight into the personal life and challenges faced by Princess Maria da Gloria, Duchess of Segorbe, as well as her views on family and her experiences with her children.
As we conclude our exploration of Princess Maria da Gloria’s insightful interview, it is clear that family remains at the forefront of her thoughts and actions. The Duchess of Segorbe’s unwavering dedication to her children and grandchildren is a testament to the enduring power of love and family bonds. Her experiences, both joyful and challenging, serve as a reminder that even in the midst of royal life, family is always the most important thing. **Family** is the foundation upon which Princess Maria da Gloria has built her life, and it is this unwavering commitment that makes her such a remarkable individual.
Princess Maria da Gloria’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, family can be a source of strength and comfort. Her ability to balance her royal duties with her personal life is a testament to her resilience and determination. As we reflect on her experiences, it is clear that **family** is not just a title or a label, but a living, breathing entity that requires care, nurturing, and devotion. We hope that Princess Maria da Gloria’s story has inspired you to cherish and honor your own family, and to recognize the importance of these bonds in your own life. Thank you for joining us on this journey into the heart of Princess Maria da Gloria’s world.
what were the key takeaways from Princess Maria da Gloria’s interview with the Serbian press
- Family is the Most Important Thing: Princess Maria da Gloria emphasized the significance of family in her life, stating that it is the most important thing, regardless of titles or royal duties. She expressed her sadness that her attempt to be like a family with her ex-husband Crown Prince Alexander and her son Prince Philip failed.
- Support for Prince Peter’s Decision: The Duchess of Segorbe supported her eldest son Prince Peter’s decision to renounce his rights to the Serbian throne, citing his happiness and the fact that his younger brother Prince Philip had married a Serbian woman who understood the situation.
- Personal Experiences and Challenges: Princess Maria da Gloria shared her personal experiences, including her first meeting with Crown Prince Alexander at a dinner in Estoril, Portugal, and her pride in her children, stating that they help each other and are a very happy family.
- Relationship with Crown Prince Alexander: The princess noted that her relationship with Crown Prince Alexander is a difficult story, and that he rarely sees his grandson Prince Stefan. She also mentioned that her son Prince Alexander supported Prince Peter’s decision to renounce his rights to the throne.
- Patriotism and Family Unity: Princess Maria da Gloria highlighted the importance of family unity and patriotism, stating that Prince Peter’s decision to renounce his rights was an act of patriotism. She also mentioned that her children would do anything to save each other, indicating a strong sense of family bonding.
These key takeaways provide insight into Princess Maria da Gloria’s values and experiences, highlighting the significance of family and her support for her children’s decisions.
