Monday, October 15, 2012

Royal wedding: Portugal-Brazil

October 15, 1942

Prince Duno Duarte, Duke of Braganza, the pretender to the Portuguese throne, was married today at Petropolis, Brazil, to Princess Maria Francisca of Orleans Braganca, a granddaughter of Pedro II, the second and last of Brazil's emperors, according to the New York Times.

The Duke of Braganza is 35 years old.  His bride is 28. 

The reception was held at the Grao Palace.  Although the wedding was "unofficially recognized" by Brazil's government, the wedding guests included many high government officials, cabinet ministers and ambassadors.

Although it rained all day, crowds lined the streets approaching the cathedral.  Princess Maria Francisca wore a gown of silver lamé with a "long rich train of lace a hundred years old."

She was given away by her brother, Dom Pedro Gastao, the pretender to the Brazilian throne.  He serves in the Brazilian Air Force.

1 comment:

Charles von Hamm said...

It was always interesting to me that the Braganzas and Orléans-Braganzas actually belong to the same male line, the former being Capetians as well, albeit through bastardy (I think it may be double, but I am not sure).