Dom Antônio Orleans e Bragança, great-grandson of Princess Isabel, dies at age 74

Dom Antônio Orleans e Bragança, great-great-grandson of Dom Pedro II and great-grandson of Princess Isabel, died this Friday (8), in Rio de Janeiro, aged 74. He had been hospitalized at Casa de Saúde São José since July, due to respiratory complications. The site confirmed that the cause of death was obstructive lung disease.

Dom Antônio occupied the second position in the line of succession of the Imperial House of Brazil, which is headed by Dom Bertrand. In a note, Prince Dom Bertrand asked for prayers in memory of his “dear and always loyal brother”.

He leaves his wife, Dona Christine de Ligne de Orleans and Bragança, and three children: Dom Rafael, Dona Maria Gabriela and Dona Amélia de Orleans and Bragança. Another son of Dom Antônio, Pedro Luís de Orleans e Bragança, died in 2009 in the crash of Air France Flight 447. He is also the grandfather of two grandchildren.

Dom Antônio’s body will be buried tomorrow, in Vassouras, a city with a strong connection to the history of the Brazilian royal family.