Rafael, Prince of Grão-Pará

Prince Rafael of Brazil (26 April 1986, Petrópolis, Brazil) is a Prince of Brazil, and member of the House of Orléans-Braganza. Active in promoting the legacy and restoration of the Brazilian monarchy, participating in events and representing the Imperial Family in Europe, Prince Rafael is the heir presumptive to the title of Prince of Grão-Pará according to the Vassouras branch claim.

Early life
Prince Rafael was born in Petrópolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, as the youngest and only surviving son of Prince Antônio of Brazil and Princess Christine of Ligne. By his father, he is great-great-grandson of Empress Isabel I of Brazil, while by his mother, he is great-grandson of Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. Currently, he occupies the third position in the legitimist lines of succession to the defunct Brazilian throne, which is currently lead by his uncle Luiz, Crown Prince of Brazil.

Education and adult life
He graduated in Production Engineering by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and currently works for AmBev - Americas' Beverage Company, where, previously, he was an intern. His older brother Pedro Luis died in an airplane crash in 2009. He has an older sister, Princess Amelia of Brazil, and a younger sister, Princess Maria Gabriela. He lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil his whole life, but in earlier 2018 he moved to London, United Kingdom, in order to sought a princess to marry him and kept his dynastic rights.

His older brother, Prince Pedro Luiz, was confirmed to be a passenger on ir France Flight 447, which crashed into the ocean while traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on 1 June 2009.

As Prince, Rafael actively participates in events promoting the history and political advantages of the restoration of the Empire of Brazil.

Name origin
His full name is Rafael Antônio Maria José Francisco Miguel Gabriel Gonzaga of Orleans and Bragança and Ligne. "Rafael Antonio" is his proper name, and "Antonio" is due to a promise that his father made to St. Anthony, if his son was born a man. The names "Mary" and "Joseph" are in the names of all members of the Imperial Family, in honor of Our Lady and St. Joseph, as well as "Miguel" and "Gabriel" in devotion to the archangels. "Francisco" is in homage to his godfather of baptism (Prince Francisco of Orléans-Braganze, brother of his father) and "Gonzaga" homage to St. Louis, patron of the family. His surnames derived from his ancestors. The "Orléans" came from Prince Gaston of Orléans, Count of eu, married to Empress Isabel I, from who came the "Braganza", while the "Ligne" comes from his mother, member of the noble House of Ligne, a princely house of Beligum and of the Holy Roman Empire.

Titles and styles

 * 26 April 1986 – present: His Highness Prince Rafael of Brazil

Honors
As member of the House of Orléans-Braganza, he is recipient of the following orders:
 * Flag of Empire of Brazil (1870-1889).svg Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Pedro I
 * Flag of Empire of Brazil (1870-1889).svg Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Rose