Friday 24 February 2012

Death of a centenarian

Her Royal Highness Infanta Dona Maria Adelaide de Bragança van Uden who could celebrate her 100th birthday on 31st January has passed away today, 24th February. She was in good health when the whole Portuguese nation celebrated the landmark birthday of the youngest daughter of King Miguel II.



On her 100th birthday she was created Grand Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite of Portugal. The official statement called her "an example of life by moral stature."

During World War II, she lived in Vienna, where she worked as a nurse. She was active in the Resistance movement, arrested and was sentenced to death by the Gestapo, after being accused of listening to the BBC. For more information about her role in the resistance, see the book, The Hand of Compassion: portraits of moral choice during the Holocaust by Kristen Monroe.

According to the Monarchist website Arautos s'El-Rei , a private family funeral will be held for Infanta Dona Maria Adelaide de Bragança van Uden . (As cerimónias fúnebres da Senhora Infanta D. Maria Adelaide serão reservadas apenas à sua Família mas em breve será anunciado o local e a hora da Missa do 7º Dia.)

1 comment:

Nuno Castelo-Branco said...

We are shocked, once month ago D. Adelaide was fine at Her birthday party. Well, she had a "full life", dedicated to the cause of the Portuguese people.