Line of succession to the Georgian throne
Encyclopedia
The Georgian royal family
of the Bagrations
practiced masculine primogeniture
, legitimate sons and their descendants taking precedence over daughters and natural sons, and their descendants. The claim to represent the royal legacy is asserted on behalf of both Prince Nugzar Bagration-Gruzinsky
and Prince David Bagrationi of Moukrani, representatives of the Gruzinsky
and Mukhransky
branches of the Bagrationi dynasty
, respectively. Prince David's late father, Prince George Bagration-Mukhransky, was recognised by the Georgian government as head of the former royal house in 1991. being the most senior legitimate descendant of the dynasty in the male line, but other prominent Georgians acknowledge the claim of Prince Nugzar.
's daughter, Princess Anna, a divorced teacher and journalist with two daughters, married Prince David Bagration of Mukhrani
, on 8 February 2009 at the Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral
. The marriage united the Gruzinsky (Kahetian) and Mukhrani (Kartlian) branches of the Georgian royal family
, and drew a crowd of 3,000 spectators, officials, and foreign diplomats, as well as extensive coverage by the Georgian media
.
The dynastic significance of the wedding lay in the fact that, amidst the turmoil in political partisanship that has roiled Georgia since its independence in 1991, Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia publicly called for restoration of the monarchy as a path toward national unity in October 2007. Although this led some politicians and parties to entertain the notion of a Georgian constitutional monarchy
, competition arose among the old dynasty's princes and supporters, as historians and jurists
debated which Bagrationi has the strongest hereditary right to a throne that has been vacant for two centuries. Although some Georgian monarchists
support the Gruzinsky branch's claim, others support that of the re-patriated
Mukhrani branch. Both branches share male-line descent from the last of united Georgia's kings, Constantine II
who died in 1505, as well as unbroken, legitimate male line descent from Georgia's medieval kings back to Tamar Bagrationi, Queen of Georgia
, and her consort, Prince David Soslan
of Alania
.
Whereas the Bagration-Mukhrani were a cadet branch
of the former Royal House of Kartli
, they became the genealogically
seniormost line of the Bagrationi family in the early 20th century: yet the elder branch had lost the rule of Kartli by 1724.
Meanwhile, the Bagration-Gruzinsky line, although junior to the Princes of Mukhrani genealogically, reigned over the kingdom of Kakheti
, re-united the two realms in the kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti in 1762, and did not lose sovereignty until Russian annexation in 1800.
The bridegroom is the only member of his branch who retains Georgian citizenship and residence since the death of his father, Prince George Bagration-Mukhrani in 2008. Aside from his unmarried elder brother, Prince David is the heir male
of the Bagrationi
family, while the bride's father is the most senior descendant of the last Bagrationi to reign over the united kingdom of Georgia. Since Nugzar and Princes Peter and Eugene Bagrationi-Gruzinsky are the last patrilineal males descended from King George XIII, and all three were born before 1950, their branch verges on extinction. But the marriage between Nugzar Gruzinsky's heiress and the Mukhrani heir resolves their rivalry for the claim to the throne, which has recently divided Georgian monarchists
.
Prince David and Princess Anna became the parents of a baby boy on September 27, 2011, Prince Giorgi Bagration Bagrationi who, in his person, potentially unites the Mukhraneli and Gruzinsky claims. If no other Bagrationi prince is born in either the Gruzinsky or Mukhraneli branch who is of senior descent by primogeniture, and he survives those now living, Prince Giorgi will become the heir male of the House of Bagrationi and the heir general of George XIII of Georgia.
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
of the Bagrations
Bagrationi Dynasty
The Bagrationi dynasty was the ruling family of Georgia. Their ascendency lasted from the early Middle Ages until the early 19th century. In modern usage, this royal line is frequently referred to as the Georgian Bagratids, a Hellenized form of their dynastic name.The origin of the Bagrationi...
practiced masculine primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
, legitimate sons and their descendants taking precedence over daughters and natural sons, and their descendants. The claim to represent the royal legacy is asserted on behalf of both Prince Nugzar Bagration-Gruzinsky
Nugzar Bagration-Gruzinsky
Prince Nugzar Bagration-Gruzinsky is the head of the deposed House of Gruzinsky and represents its claim to the former crown of Georgia.-Biography:...
and Prince David Bagrationi of Moukrani, representatives of the Gruzinsky
Gruzinsky
Gruzinsky was a title and later the surname of two different princely lines of the Bagrationi dynasty of Georgia, both of which received it as the subjects of the Russian Empire. The name "Gruzinsky" derives from Russian, originally and literally meaning "of Georgia"...
and Mukhransky
House of Mukhrani
The house of Mukhrani is a Georgian princely family, a collateral branch of the former royal dynasty of Bagrationi of which it sprung early in the 16th century, and received in appanage the domain of Mukhrani located in Kartli, central Georgia...
branches of the Bagrationi dynasty
Bagrationi Dynasty
The Bagrationi dynasty was the ruling family of Georgia. Their ascendency lasted from the early Middle Ages until the early 19th century. In modern usage, this royal line is frequently referred to as the Georgian Bagratids, a Hellenized form of their dynastic name.The origin of the Bagrationi...
, respectively. Prince David's late father, Prince George Bagration-Mukhransky, was recognised by the Georgian government as head of the former royal house in 1991. being the most senior legitimate descendant of the dynasty in the male line, but other prominent Georgians acknowledge the claim of Prince Nugzar.
Line of Prince Nugzar Bagration-Gruzinsky
- Princess Anna Nugzaris asuli Bagration-Gruzinsky (b. Tbilisi 1.11.1976)
- Prince Giorgi Bagration-Bagrationi (b. 27.9.2011)
- Irina Malania (elder daughter of Anna by her first husband, Grigoriy Malania)*
- Miriam Malania (younger daughter of Anna and her first husband, Grigoriy Malania)*
- Princess Maya Nugzaris asuli Bagration-Gruzinsky (b. Tbilisi 2.1.1978)
- Themour Chichinadze (elder child of Maya and Nikoloz Chichinadze) *
- Anna Chichinadze (younger child of Maya and Nikoloz Chichinadze) *
- Princess Dali Petres asuli Bagration-Gruzinsky (b. Tbilisi 17.10.1939)
- Princess Mzevinar Petres asuli Bagration-Gruzinsky (b. 15.9.1945)
- Prince Petre Bagration-Gruzinsky (b. 1916)
- Prince Evgeni Bagration-Gruzinsky (b. 1947)
- Princess Marina Bagration-Gruzinsky (b. 1950)
- Princess Ekaterina Bagration-Gruzinsky (b. 1956)
Line of Prince David Bagration-Mukhranski
- Prince Giorgi Bagration-Bagrationi (b. 27.9.2011)
- Prince Gurami Ugo Bagration-Mukhranski (b. 1985)
- Princess María Antonietta Bagration-Mukhranski (b. 1969)
- Prince Bagrat Bagration-Mukhranski (b. 1949)
- Prince Juan Jorge Bagration-Mukhranski (b. 1977)
- Princess Inès Bagration-Mukhranski (b. 1980)
- Princess Maria Bagration-Mukhranski (b. 1947)
Dynastic alliance
Prince NugzarNugzar Bagration-Gruzinsky
Prince Nugzar Bagration-Gruzinsky is the head of the deposed House of Gruzinsky and represents its claim to the former crown of Georgia.-Biography:...
's daughter, Princess Anna, a divorced teacher and journalist with two daughters, married Prince David Bagration of Mukhrani
David Bagration of Mukhrani
David Bagrationi of Moukhrani, David Bagration de Moukhrani y de Zornoza, or Davit' Bagration-Mukhraneli is a claimant to the headship of the Royal House of Georgia and to the historical thrones of Georgia, succeeding on the death of his father Jorge de Bagration on January 16, 2008.-Early...
, on 8 February 2009 at the Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral
Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi commonly known as Sameba is the main Cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church located in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Constructed between 1995 and 2004, it is the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in the World...
. The marriage united the Gruzinsky (Kahetian) and Mukhrani (Kartlian) branches of the Georgian royal family
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
, and drew a crowd of 3,000 spectators, officials, and foreign diplomats, as well as extensive coverage by the Georgian media
Georgian Media
The Media in Georgia is relatively accessible and caters to a wide variety of audiences. A large percentage of households have a television, and most have at least one radio...
.
The dynastic significance of the wedding lay in the fact that, amidst the turmoil in political partisanship that has roiled Georgia since its independence in 1991, Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia publicly called for restoration of the monarchy as a path toward national unity in October 2007. Although this led some politicians and parties to entertain the notion of a Georgian constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
, competition arose among the old dynasty's princes and supporters, as historians and jurists
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
debated which Bagrationi has the strongest hereditary right to a throne that has been vacant for two centuries. Although some Georgian monarchists
Monarchism in Georgia
The former Soviet republic of Georgia has a monarchic tradition that traces its origins to the Hellenistic period. The medieval Kingdom of Georgia ruled by the Bagrationi dynasty has left behind a legacy that lasts in Georgia even in modern times...
support the Gruzinsky branch's claim, others support that of the re-patriated
Repatriation
Repatriation is the process of returning a person back to one's place of origin or citizenship. This includes the process of returning refugees or soldiers to their place of origin following a war...
Mukhrani branch. Both branches share male-line descent from the last of united Georgia's kings, Constantine II
Constantine II of Georgia
Constantine II , of the Bagrationi dynasty, was a king of Georgia since 1478. Early in the 1490s, he had to recognise the independence of his rival rulers of Imereti and Kakheti, and to confine his power to Kartli....
who died in 1505, as well as unbroken, legitimate male line descent from Georgia's medieval kings back to Tamar Bagrationi, Queen of Georgia
Tamar of Georgia
Tamar , of the Bagrationi dynasty, was Queen Regnant of Georgia from 1184 to 1213. Tamar presided over the "Golden age" of the medieval Georgian monarchy...
, and her consort, Prince David Soslan
David Soslan
David Soslan was an Alan prince and a King Consort of Georgia as the second husband of Queen Regnant Tamar who married him c. 1189. He is chiefly known for his military exploits during Georgia’s wars against its Muslim neighbors.- Origins :...
of Alania
Alania
Alania may refer to:*Alania, the medieval state of the Alans or Alani people in the North Caucasus*The short name of the modern North Ossetia-Alania, one of the Caucasian republics in the Russian Federation...
.
Whereas the Bagration-Mukhrani were a cadet branch
Cadet branch
Cadet branch is a term in genealogy to describe the lineage of the descendants of the younger sons of a monarch or patriarch. In the ruling dynasties and noble families of much of Europe and Asia, the family's major assets – titles, realms, fiefs, property and income – have...
of the former Royal House of Kartli
Kartli
Kartli is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia traversed by the river Mtkvari , on which Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is situated. Known to the Classical authors as Iberia, Kartli played a crucial role in ethnic and political consolidation of the Georgians in the Middle Ages...
, they became the genealogically
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
seniormost line of the Bagrationi family in the early 20th century: yet the elder branch had lost the rule of Kartli by 1724.
Meanwhile, the Bagration-Gruzinsky line, although junior to the Princes of Mukhrani genealogically, reigned over the kingdom of Kakheti
Kakheti
Kakheti is a historical province in Eastern Georgia inhabited by Kakhetians who speak a local dialect of Georgian. It is bordered by the small mountainous province of Tusheti and the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north, Russian Federation to the Northeast, Azerbaijan to the Southeast, and...
, re-united the two realms in the kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti in 1762, and did not lose sovereignty until Russian annexation in 1800.
The bridegroom is the only member of his branch who retains Georgian citizenship and residence since the death of his father, Prince George Bagration-Mukhrani in 2008. Aside from his unmarried elder brother, Prince David is the heir male
Heirs of the body
Heirs of the body is the term for the English legal principle that certain types of property pass to a descendant of the original holder, recipient or grantee according to a fixed order of kinship...
of the Bagrationi
Bagrationi Dynasty
The Bagrationi dynasty was the ruling family of Georgia. Their ascendency lasted from the early Middle Ages until the early 19th century. In modern usage, this royal line is frequently referred to as the Georgian Bagratids, a Hellenized form of their dynastic name.The origin of the Bagrationi...
family, while the bride's father is the most senior descendant of the last Bagrationi to reign over the united kingdom of Georgia. Since Nugzar and Princes Peter and Eugene Bagrationi-Gruzinsky are the last patrilineal males descended from King George XIII, and all three were born before 1950, their branch verges on extinction. But the marriage between Nugzar Gruzinsky's heiress and the Mukhrani heir resolves their rivalry for the claim to the throne, which has recently divided Georgian monarchists
Monarchism in Georgia
The former Soviet republic of Georgia has a monarchic tradition that traces its origins to the Hellenistic period. The medieval Kingdom of Georgia ruled by the Bagrationi dynasty has left behind a legacy that lasts in Georgia even in modern times...
.
Prince David and Princess Anna became the parents of a baby boy on September 27, 2011, Prince Giorgi Bagration Bagrationi who, in his person, potentially unites the Mukhraneli and Gruzinsky claims. If no other Bagrationi prince is born in either the Gruzinsky or Mukhraneli branch who is of senior descent by primogeniture, and he survives those now living, Prince Giorgi will become the heir male of the House of Bagrationi and the heir general of George XIII of Georgia.