Empress Teresa Cristina 200

Today has been the bicentennial of the birth in Naples of Princess Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies (1822-1889), Empress (consort) of Brazil as the wife of Emperor Dom Pedro II (1825-1891), known as "the Mother of the Brazilians."

I visited her tomb at Petrópolis Cathedral in May 2019.

My photo of the imperial tombs at Petrópolis Cathedral, May 30, 2019

Brazilian monarchism in the news

Like most of my Brazilian monarchist friends, I think the association with Bolsonaro--who will inevitably fall from power eventually--is a mistake. Nevertheless, the Brazilian monarchist movement is among the most vibrant and visible in any former monarchy in the world.

Yes, Brazil needs an Emperor

All sorts of media are noticing the Brazilian monarchist movement, including now the Wall Street Journal. Like many of these articles it's somewhat irreverent, but at least the cause is being noticed. I was among those leaving a supportive comment on the new official Facebook page of Príncipe Dom Rafael do Brasil, though I can't argue in Portuguese.

22 June update: similar article from Global Voices

Return of the Kings?

An unusually optimistic article on the future of Monarchy from a mainstream source. Let's hope the answer is Yes! Bravo Ed West!

Back from Brazil

As some readers may know, but others will not, I just returned today from a Baroque musical tour of Brazil (São Paulo and Belém), which is why I haven't posted lately. While as in Amsterdam my hopes of meeting royalty were unfulfilled (a descendant of Emperor Dom Pedro II was a registered participant at the recorder festival in São Paulo but at the last minute was unable to attend), otherwise it was a wonderful trip and everything went splendidly, with sightseeing including a visit to the Independence Monument where Emperor Dom Pedro I (1798-1834) and his two wives Empress Leopoldina (1797-1826) and Empress Amélie (1812-1873) are buried. Here is a video of me performing the Sonata No. 6 in A Minor by Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762) on May 29 at the Church of Our Lady of Consolation in São Paulo which I hope readers will enjoy:



Having visited Brazil, it and its history loom larger in my mind than previously. I can no longer accept a return to the 1914 status quo (in terms of monarchies vs republics) as minimally adequate. Brazil is too important, and its monarchical story too unique and remarkable, for monarchists to ignore. Only a return to the pre-1889 status quo (essentially 1914's monarchies plus those of Brazil, Hawaii, Portugal, and China) will do. That would still leave republicans with the continental USA, Spanish-speaking Latin America, France and its former colonies, Switzerland, San Marino, and Liberia. (They ought to be satisfied with that, the greedy bastards!)

Brazil is an amazing country. But this incorrigible royalist cannot resist pointing out that it could be even more amazing if it would restore the Monarchy that unlike any other Latin American nation guided its first 67 years of independence. Viva o Imperador!

Independence Monument

A monarchist pays his respects at the tomb of Emperor Dom Pedro I

 

Prince Harry in the Caribbean

Prince Harry certainly seems to be enjoying himself in Belize, one of his grandmother's 15 Commonwealth Realms, where he is representing her as part of the Diamond Jubilee. The people of Belize are clearly enjoying welcoming him as well. What is clear from this video though is that far from mere frivolity Prince Harry's well-deserved popularity, charm, and sense of humour are invaluable assets in the public relations of the monarchy. Everyone who cares about the future of the Crown in the Commonwealth Realms should be grateful to Prince Harry, who concluded his visit to Belize by laying a memorial wreath at a memorial to British soldiers and now goes on to the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Brazil.

Meanwhile, back in Britain, only two months after heart surgery his 90-year-old grandfather Prince Philip is back to carriage driving. Three generations of royal women, the Queen, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duchess of Cambridge delighted staff, dignitaries, and award recipients at Fortnum & Mason. Encouragingly, growing enthusiasm for the Diamond Jubilee suggests that it may be even more popular than last year's triumphant royal wedding.

Princess Maria Elisabeth of Orléans-Bragança [Bavaria] (1914-2011)

I am sorry to learn of the death at 96 of Princess Maria Elisabeth of Orléans-Braganza (née Bavaria), widow of Dom Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza (1909-1981) and granddaughter of King Ludwig III of Bavaria (1845-1921), though even sorrier that Brazil and Bavaria remain occupied by republics. Princess Maria Elisabeth, whose son Dom Luiz is considered by most monarchists to be the current head of the Imperial House of Brazil, was the last member of the House of Wittelsbach to have been born when that ancient dynasty still reigned in Bavaria. She was born on September 9, 1914, at Nymphenburg Castle to Prince Franz of Bavaria and Princess Isabelle (née Croÿ) of Bavaria, married Dom Pedro Henrique there on August 19, 1937 (8 sons, 2 daughters), and died on May 13, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro. Requiescat in pace.

Imperial Mexico, and other blogosphere highlights

I usually try to avoid posts that simply link to specific entries of blogs that I already feature permanently on the side of my own blog, but sometimes my fellow royalist bloggers (most of whose blogs are rather more colourful than mine) are so inspiring that I have to make an exception. Andrew Cusack has a great post on Mexico's imperial heritage encompassing both Emperors, Augustin (1783-1824) and Maximilian (1832-1867). Coincidentally, Mr Cusack's excellent "Mexico Week" has immediately preceded my own Dallas Symphony Orchestra's presentation of "Latin Masterworks" under the direction of the young, beautiful, and gifted Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra with whom it has been delightful to work.

Also recommended are Elena Maria Vidal's account of her meeting with Archduke Imre of Austria and Prince Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza (Brazil) (of which I couldn't help being a little envious) and Gareth Russell's 255th birthday tribute to Marie Antoinette.

Brazilian prince on lost flight

The Imperial House of Orléans-Bragança has confirmed that Prince Pedro Luíz (b 1983), fourth in line to the Brazilian throne, was among the 228 people aboard the Air France flight that disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean. Authorities do not expect to find any survivors. My condolences to the Brazilian Imperial Family, Brazilian monarchists (some of whom, given his uncles' links to the controversial militant Catholic association TFP, had pinned their hopes for the future of Brazilian monarchism on Pedro), and all those who appear to have lost loved ones in the disaster.

The above picture shows Pedro with his double first cousin Princess Alix de Ligne (b 1984), who was to be on the same flight but had decided to take a different one. Pedro's younger brother Prince Rafael (b 1986) is next in line and presumably must now tragically be considered to have replaced him in the succession.