When rumors surfaced of an engagement between Prince Christian of Denmark, 17, and Princess Maria Chiara di Bourbon of Sicily, 18, raised eyebrows in aristocratic circles across Europe.
And perhaps the most surprised was Queen Margaret of Denmark, who, according to Chiara, never even met her grandson’s girlfriend, despite the young prince’s lifelong friendship with the late king.
While Chiara may have known Christian’s parents, Princess Mary and Crown Prince Denmark for years, royal observers are wondering what Margarthe – who stripped titles from her own family last year – will think of the Rome-based aristocrat.
Unlike many European royals, Chiara and her sister Princess Maria Carolina di Bourbon are known for chasing the limelight, often posing for photos on glamorous trips and giving lengthy interviews to the Italian media.
The couple also have a huge Instagram presence and their own YouTube channel, where they ask each other questions like “Have you ever been in love?” and “Have you ever been kissed?”.
Speaking recently to Italian newspaper Corriere, Chiara said he and Christian have a “very special relationship.”
“We have known each other since we were children, my father Carlo is the godfather of his younger sister Josephine,” she added.
“Christian knows how to stay in his place,” she continued, before saying she “hopes to meet Queen Martgrethe soon.”
When rumors of an engagement between Prince Christian of Denmark, 17, and Princess Maria Chiara di Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 18, (directly with her sister in St. Tropez) made the rounds, aristocratic circles across Europe caused a stir
The sisters spent the summer on the French Riviera
Chiara and her sister Princess Maria Carolina di Bourbon are known for being in the limelight, often posing for photos on glamorous trips and giving extensive interviews to the Italian media (pictured with their father in Monaco).
While Chiara may have known Christian’s parents, Princess Mary and Crown Prince Denmark for years, royal observers are wondering what Margarthe – who recently stripped titles from her own family – will think of the Rome-based aristocrat. ) Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (2-R) and his wife Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (2-L) with their daughters Maria Chiara (L) and Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (2-R) and and Edoarda Crociani (R) arrives for the wedding of Prince Napoleon and Countess Olympia Arco-Zunneberg at the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides Cathedral at the Invalides National Hotel in Paris
Rumors that the young royals are dating were sparked after they were photographed standing side by side at the Monaco Grand Prix in May (pictured left to right: Prince Christian and Princess Maria Chiara).
The family is friends with Donald Trump and has visited Mar-a-Lago
Princess Camilla often cuddles with fellow royals, seen with Sarah, Duchess of Cambridge
Given her family’s show business past, it’s perhaps not surprising to take the spotlight and brag about her connections.
The Italian heiress is the youngest daughter of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro and Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro. Her parents are friends with Christian’s parents, Crown Princess Mary, 54, and Crown Prince Frederik, 55.
They are also close to Prince Albert of Monaco,
Prince Carlo claims the now-defunct throne of the former House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a cadet branch of the Spanish royal family that descended from the Capetian dynasty and ruled southern Italy and Sicily in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Her mother, Princess Camilla née Crociani, is the daughter of Italian tycoon Camilla Crociani and actress Edy Vessel.
While the Danish royal family has yet to comment on the rumors, Chiara isn’t shy about disclosing her relationships.
“The Bourbon family is related to almost every royal family or former ruler in Europe, it’s kind of a big club,” she said.
“King Felipe VI. from Spain, he is my father’s cousin and I am very close to the heiress Leonor who, like me, loves sports and especially women’s football.”
“Then the Belgian royals were often our guests in St. Tropez in the summer… and one of my best friends is Alexandra of Hanover, the youngest daughter of Carolina of Monaco.”
Meanwhile, Camilla is no longer as close to her family.
The princess has been at odds with her sister over her inheritance for over a decade.
The family feud began when her mother, Italian film star Edoarda Crociani, set up a trust fund for her two daughters, Cristiana and Camilla.
Princess Camilla, née Crociani, is the daughter of Italian tycoon Camilla Crociani and actress Edy Vessel (pictured).
Princess Camilla wed Prince Carlo – head of Italy’s House of Bourbon des Deux Siciles – in a ceremony dubbed the “blue-blooded wedding of the decade” by The Times.
When in 2010 £100million worth of investments and art were taken from a trust fund for Princess Camilla and her sister Cristiana (right) and transferred to Edoarda’s (left) name, Cristiana feared the money would be passed on to her sister
Princess Camilla Crociani in 2010, left, and her mother Edoarda, right, in 2003
The family often attend glamorous events
Princess Maria Chiara Di Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 18, is the daughter of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, 59, and Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro, 51
Prince Carlo claims the now-defunct throne of the former House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a cadet branch of the Spanish royal family that descended from the Capetian dynasty and ruled southern Italy and Sicily in the 18th and 19th centuries
But when £100m in investments and art was withdrawn from the fund and transferred to Edoarda’s name in 2010, Cristiana feared the money would be passed on to her sister.
The socialite launched a court case in 2011, claiming steps were being taken to prevent her from inheriting the family’s estate.
But Princess Camilla refused to reveal the location of valuables, including a £49.9million painting.
Details of the feud came to light when Princess Camilla was fined £2million by the Jersey Royal Court for disobeying a court order.
Her request to stay the order has now been rejected and she has been given two months to pay the £2million fine. In addition, she faces a 12-month prison sentence if she fails to comply with this obligation.
The dispute began in 2011 when Cristiana (pictured with Prince Albert II of Monaco) launched a court case claiming steps were being taken to prevent her from inheriting the family fortune
Princess Camilla has appealed the fine imposed on December 22, claiming she has “no immediate access to £2million”.
She also requested a “request for a stay” – a stay of the proceedings – in relation to the order.
When the court refused, however, it pointed out that the princess had known for a long time that a large fine was possible.
Chiara and her older sister Maria enjoy a life of luxury, dividing their time between Italy, Monaco, Paris and St Tropez, soaking up the sun, wearing designer labels and making the most of their families wealth.
They are also actively involved in charity work, collaborating with the most elite figures in Europe. They are fluent in English, French and Italian.
The two princesses regularly share snaps of their glamorous lifestyle on Instagram, posting images from destinations around the world, from Paris to Dubai to New York.
As Chiara is the younger sibling, she does not inherit her father’s title and duties, or his claim to head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies – they pass to older sister Maria Carolina, Duchess of Calabria and Palermo (or Carolina). short).
The couple is also not afraid to flaunt their flamboyant lifestyle with frequent trips to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago complex in Florida, and Chiara recently told Italian media about her trip to Denmark.
This week the couple was pictured shopping in Saint Tropez. Camilla opted for a very unregal pair of leggings and a crop top, while Chiara opted for a dress.
Although Chiara’s family has no official business, they are well known and spend their time doing charity work and promoting the interests of southern Italy.
Who is the Old Royal Family of Bourbon Two Sicilies?
The last king of the Two Sicilies was Francis II, who was overthrown in 1860 and spent the rest of his life in exile
The Bourbon Two Sicilies royalty – or Bourbon des Deux Siciles – is an ancient branch of the Spanish royal family, which ruled parts of southern Italy for more than 100 years from 1734 to 1861. His descendants still bear the name today, some 150 years later.
The line comes from Philippe de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France (1638-1715), who founded the Bourbon dynasty in Spain in 1700 as Philip V (1683-1746).
In 1759, King Philip’s younger grandson was associated with the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, becoming Ferdinand IV and III respectively. (1751–1825) of these kingdoms. His descendants occupied the common throne (which was renamed the “Kingdom of the Two Sicilies” in 1816) until 1860.
The family, then led by Francis II, was overthrown in 1860 by Italian General Giuseppe Garibaldi, who proclaimed a dictatorship on behalf of Victor Emmanuel II, King of Piedmont-Sardinia and later King of Italy. The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Kingdom of Sardinia were merged into the newly established Kingdom of Italy.
The deposed Francis II and his wife spent time as guests of the Pope in Rome, where they led a government in exile. They left the city before it was occupied by the Italians in 1870.
From then on they led a wandering life and lived in Austria, France and Bavaria.
Francis II died in 1894 and was succeeded by his half-brother, Prince Alfonso, who was in turn succeeded by his son, Prince Ferdinand Pius, Duke of Calabria.
Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, 57, and Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro, 49, with their daughters Princess Maria Carolina, 17, and Maria Chiara Di Bourbon-Two Sicilies, 15
The succession has been disputed since Ferdinand’s death in 1960 as he had six daughters and no sons to continue the family line. Both his nephew Infante Alfonso, Duke of Calabria and his brother Prince Ranieri, Duke of Castro, pictured, laid claim to the throne. This feud between their descendants continues to this day
The succession has been disputed since Ferdinand’s death in 1960 as he had six daughters and no sons to continue the family line.
Both his nephew, Infante Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, and his brother, Prince Ranieri, Duke of Castro, claimed the throne. This feud between their descendants continues to this day.
Chiara and Carolina are the daughters of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, grandson of Prince Ranieri. The plaintiff on the other side of the family is Prince Pedro, Duke of Calabria, grandson of Infante Alfonso.
Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, grandson of Prince Ranieri, and his wife Camilla
Prince Carlo, who has just two daughters, has reversed the centuries-long male primogeniture and said his title will pass to his eldest daughter Carolina.
Prince Carlo married his wife Camilla, daughter of Italian film star Edoarda Crociani, better known as Edy Vessel, at Monte Carlo Cathedral in 1998. Camilla’s sister Cristina revealed her mother was obsessed with her daughters marrying princes.
As Head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Carlo is the recipient of numerous decorations including the Sovereign Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Saint January, the Constantinian Order of Saint George of the Holy Military of Sicily, and the Order of Saint Ferdinand and Orders of Merit.
Today, according to their official website, Carlo and Camilla are “very active in promoting the cultural, artistic, historical and spiritual identity of southern Italy”. They split their time between homes in Monte Carlo and Paris.
Camilla is also involved in charity work, dedicating her time to the Red Cross and UNICEF, as well as the Association Monaco Against Autism, Amitié sans Frontières and the Princess Grace of Monaco Foundation.
She campaigns against animal cruelty and runs her own charitable organization, the Camilla of Bourbon Charitable Foundation, which works with the Government of Mauritius to protect wildlife and promote sustainable development.
The family posed for photos at the Influencer Awards in Monaco in 2019, with Chiara in a pink dress, Camilla in a gray dress and Carolina in a rose gold dress