Rafael, Prince of Grao-Para

Prince Rafael of Brazil (26 April 1986, Petropolis, Brazil) is a Prince of Brazil, and member of the House of Orleans-Braganza. Born in Petropolis, son of a non-morganatic marriage between the Prince Antonio of Brazil and the Belgian Princess Christine of Ligne, he currently lives in London where he co-owns a consulting firm. Active in promoting the legacy and restoration of the Brazilian monarchy, he participates in monarchist events and represent the Brazilian Imperial Family in Europe. According to the Vassouras branch claim, Prince Rafael is the apparent heir to the title of Prince of Grao-Para.

Biography-Early Life and Education

Prince Rafael was born in Petropolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, as the youngest and only surviving son of Prince Antonio of Brazil and Princess Christine of Ligne. By his father, he is great-great-grandson of Empress Isabel of Brazil, while by his mother, he is great-grandson of Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. His godfathers were his paternal uncle Prince Francisco of Brazil and his maternal aunt, Princess Sophie of Ligne, Countess of Nicolay. Currently, he occupies the third position in the Vassouras lines of succession to the Brazilian throne, which is currently lead by his uncle Luiz, Prince of Brazil.

He grew in Petropolis, having studied at Institution Social Sao Jose and Colegio Ipiranga. After finishing his secondary studies, he spent six months in Paris (France), where he worked as a salesman in a department store. Returning to Brazil to begin his university education, he enrolled in the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro where he graduated in Production Engineering.

Adult Life

After his graduation he worked for ten years at the AmBev-Americas' Beverage Company, where previously, he was as intern, in offices in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and London, to where he moved, reconciling work with the dynastic imposition of his uncles to find a princess to marry. Eventually Prince Rafael left AmBev and co-founded a consulting firm with offices in London and New York.

His older brother, Prince Pedro Luiz, was confirmed to be a passenger on Air France Flight 447, which crashed into the ocean while traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on 1 June 2009.

Monarchism

As Prince, since very young, Rafael actively participates in events promoting the history and political advantages of the restoration of the Empire of Brazil. Despite currently living in Europe, where he often represents the Imperial Family at events of local nobility and royalty, Rafael constantly travels to Brazil to participate in so-called "Monarchic Encounters" and has also participated in pro-monarchist and unrelated social actions, such as helping with donations for the homeless in Petropolis after the heavy rains that hit that city. His uncle, Prince Luiz, appointed him President of the Brazilian Monarchical Youth.

In 9 July 2022, following his uncle Luiz, Prince of Brazil's death, as his father became Prince Imperial of Brazil, he took up the title of Prince of Grao-Para accordingly the Brazilian monarchical constitution, article 105, as son and immediate heir of the Prince Imperial.

Name Origin

His full name is Rafael Antonio Maria Jose Francisco Miguel Gonzaga of Orleans and Braganza and Ligne. "Rafael Antonio" is his proper name, and "Antonio" is due to a promise that his father made to St. Anthony, if his son was born a man. The names "Mary" and Joseph" are in the names of all members of the Imperial Family, in honor of Our Lady and St. Joseph, as well as "Miguel" and Gabriel" in devotion to the archangels. "Francisco" is in homage to his godfather of baptism (Prince Francisco of Orleans-Braganza, brother of his father) and "Gonzaga" homage to St. Louis, patron of the family. His surnames derived from his ancestors. The "Orleans" came from Prince Gaston of Orleans, Count of Eu, married to Empress Isabel I, from who came the "Braganza," while the "Ligne" comes from his mother, member of the noble House of Ligne, a princely house of Beligum and of the Holy Roman Empire.

Titles, Styles and Honors

Titles and Styles

26 April 1986-15 July 2022: His Highness Prince Rafael Antonio Maria Jose Francisco Miguel Gabriel of Brazil

15 July 2022-present: His Imperial Highness and Royal Highness The Prince of Grao-Para

Honors

As member of the House of Orleans-Braganza, he is recipient of the following orders:

-Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Pedro I

-Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Rose

House: Orleans-Braganza

Religion: Roman Catholic

(https://royalty.miraheze.org)