Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza

Bertrand of Orléans-Braganza (born 2 February 1941) is the current head of the Vassouras branch of the House of Orléans-Braganza and one of the two principal claimants to the defunct Brazilian throne. He assumed the position on 15 July 2022, following the death of his elder brother, Luiz of Orléans-Braganza. The Vassouras branch asserts its claim in opposition to the Petrópolis branch of the Orléans-Braganzas, headed by Pedro Carlos. Both Bertrand and Pedro Carlos are great-grandsons of Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil, daughter and heir of Emperor Pedro II, of the House of Braganza. The rivalry between the two branches stems from a dynastic dispute involving their fathers—who were first cousins—regarding the validity of renunciations and succession rights within the former Brazilian imperial family.

Born in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, France, the third child of Pedro Henrique of Orléans-Braganza, and Princess Maria Elisabeth of Bavaria. He was the third and last child of the couple to be born abroad, and came to Brazil at the age of four. In Brazil, he graduated in law from the University of São Paulo and became a student of Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira and a devoted member of Tradition, Family and Property and later the Instituto Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira. Prince Bertrand is an avid traditionalist conservative, anticommunist, and outspoken advocate of right-wing Christian policies. Chaste, the Prince succeeded his brother as Head of the Imperial House of Brazil and is the main activist and spokesperson for the restoration of the monarchy, having gained prominence in the national media and, on occasion, in the international media. He is frequently invited by public and private institutions, including the Federal Government, to participate in official events, as well as to participate in monarchic events and meetings and to travel the country campaigning for the monarchy.

Although Prince Bertrand and Prince Pedro Carlos are great-grandsons of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil, of the House of Braganza, they disputed the leadership of the Brazilian Imperial Family due to a dynastic dispute regarding their parents, who were cousins. A member of the Brazilian Imperial House, Prince Bertrand is closely related to the House of Braganza and the House of Orléans (Orleanist claimants), both through his paternal lineage, and with the House of Wittelsbach, through his maternal lineage. He is the great-grandson of Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil and King Ludwig III of Bavaria.