There is an extensive family tree that unites the Bourbons with dozens of aristocrats and even with members representing other Royal Houses. In some of these cases, the link may be publicly noticeable, but in others it is not so obvious.
As happens with Álvaro de Orleans and the King Juan Carlos I, who are close at the blood level and have shown mutual loyalty over the years, however geographical distances and other situations have been distancing them little by little.
To establish the connection between De Orleans and the emeritus, it is enough to go back to the times of Álvaro’s grandfather, Robert of Orleans, Duke of Chartres, who was the brother of the Infanta María de la Caridad of Bourbon and Habsburg-Lorraine. In turn, the Infanta María de la Caridad was the sister of Juan de Borbón, count of Barcelona, father of Juan Carlos I.
Who is Álvaro de Orleans?
According to the information available in the Spanish pressÁlvaro de Orleans holds several royal titles, among them:
• Duke of Galliera (since 1997)
• Infant of Spain (since 1986, awarded by King Juan Carlos I)
• Prince of Orleans
He is the son of Alonso de Orleans-Borbón y Parodi and of his wife, Emilia Ferrara Pignatelli.
Regarding his education and career, it is known that he studied at the Colegio Estudio de Madrid and at the Complutense University, from where he obtained his degree in Law and Economics and, which in turn, has led him to work in the financial and business sector.
Regarding the personal life of Álvaro de Orleans, it is worth mentioning his first marriage to the Italian aristocrat Giovanna Saint-Martine and from whom three children were born: Pilar, Andrea and Alois. It is also worth mentioning the second marriage of the aristocrat, with Antonella Rendinawhich came to fruition in 2007, from whom a daughter was born: Eulalia, of whom the king emeritus is godfather.
Regarding the activities that the emeritus’ cousin carries out every day, it is worth mentioning his participation in royal events and official acts, as well as his constant support for charitable and cultural causes. Currently Álvaro de Orleans is president of the Dukes of Galliera Foundation.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that There are those who point to Álvaro as the “favorite cousin of Juan Carlos I” and one of his most unconditional supports because, in 2018, he was linked to several of the bank accounts in Switzerland linked to the emeritus monarch, however, he flatly denied his relationship with the matter. In any case, everything remained cordial between them.
