Biography

The Most Serene Dom Filipe Alberto Folque de Bragança e Bourbon de Mendóça (who also uses Dom Filipe Folque de Mendóça), was born in Lisbon on April 16, 1967.

Following the revolution of 25th of April 1974 and the consequent persecution by the Communists against members of his family, he was forced to leave to Brasil with his family. History seemed to repeat itself…, recalling the time when his Grandfather King Dom João VI was forced to leave for Brazil with his whole family, due to the Napoleon Bonparte persecution (in 1807).

In Brazil, the Dukes of Loule and their Family, settled in Petrópolis, where they could live with their cousins of the Imperial House of Brazil, especially with Prince Dom Pedro Gastao of Orleans and Bragança, who always receive with greater affability in the Palace of Grand Pará.

They later lived in Rio de Janeiro and after that, in Brasilia (capital of Brazil), where Dom Filipe continued his studies, finishing primary and secondary education at the “Colégio dos Padres Salesianos” (College of Salesian Fathers). Having then passed a entrance exam for higher education, thus entering the University.

Along with university studies, Dom Filipe dedicated himself to the practice of sports, namely riding and equestrianism. He also practiced swimming, athletics and mini golf, having even participated in some competitions, winning ratings and prizes.

During the term of the Constituent Assembly (1987-1988), he would support the Brazilian monarchic movement and the project headed by Deputy Cunha Bueno in the National Congress, with the view for the elimination of the so-called Stone Clause of the Brazilian Constitution, which forbade Brazilians the political right to express themselves in favor of the monarchical regime.

In this regard, there is to highlight the role played by his cousin Prince Dom Luis de Orléans and Bragança (Head of the Imperial House of Brazil). He will act decisively through a solidly argued letter, addressed to all Senators and Deputies, asking for the abolition that discriminatory provision to monarchists – and the consequent convocation of a referendum, to decide on the form and regime of government in force in the country.

At the end of 1988, he definitely returned to his homeland, where he would continue his university studies, having previously been called upon to perform the Compulsory Military Service. Approved at Practical School of Transport Service, in Figueira da Foz, and then, as Attaché, in Regimento de Infantaria de Castelo Branco (Infantry Regiment of Castelo Branco).

After this, along with the conclusion of his Degree in History, he would develop an intense political activity in the monarchical field, having participated as a militant in several movements, namely the Real Associação de Lisboa (Royal Association of Lisbon), where he would be elected consecutively as President of the Board and President of the General Assembly), as in the Causa Real, where he would serve as Chairman of the Advisory Council, and as elected Member of the Council of the same organization.

It was the deep and serious divergences in the monarchical environment, namely the so-called issue of the Crown Succession Line (1990-1995), amplified by the inconsistent positions taken by D. Duarte Pio de Bragança, claimant of the Portuguese Throne, especially after the marriage he made with D. Isabel de Herédia, sometimes going to the point of damaging the dignity and honor of the members of the Dynastic House of the Dukes of Loulé, which caused that all hopes of eventual dynastic consensus would be dashed. These disastrous events increased from 1999 onwards, reaching their peak by the end of 2005.

Dom Filipe always struggled for the Family harmony between the Constitutional Dynastic Branch of His House and the Absolutist / Miguelist Branch, in order to unite the monarchs, in view of the supreme interest of the Nation, embodied in the purpose of the Restoration of the Monarchy. But after being viciously attacked at a public ceremony on February 1, 2006, in Terreiro do Paço (Lisbon downtown square), by minions of the miguelista claimant (and his wife), he had no choice but to move away, on a peremptory form, of any connection with monarchical movements and institutions under the influence of D. Duarte Pio de Bragança (and his wife), presenting his formal resignation from all the positions he had previously held (for which he had been elected)

Meantime, having completed the Master’s degree in History, he began to teach in Higher Education, devoting himself to research. Wanting to pursue a career as a University lecturer, he joined the Faculty of Letters of the University of Coimbra, where he concluded, with distinction, his PhD, with the thesis in Contemporary History, entitled: The Duke of Loulé – Chronicle of a Political Course (1804-1875). With this thesis won two awards – the Grémio Literário Prize, in 2017, and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Prize for Modern and Contemporary History – 2018, from the Portuguese Academy of History.

Alongside his teaching activity, the Most Serene Dom Filipe is dedicated to Research, integrated in the Center for the History of Society and Culture of the Faculty of Letters, University of Coimbra. He supports several cultural associations, being president of some, such as: Instituto Dom joão VI (cultural institute); Council of Dinastic Orders of Portugal; the Honor Committee of the European Pro-Tradition and Culture Association (APTCE), etc. He has published many essays and works (monographs, serial articles, etc.),including, among others, a work: Royal Dynasties of Europe, Livro Aberto Publisher, Lisbon (2004).

The Most Serene Dom Filipe has been regularly chairing congresses and events of historic and cultural nature, held in different parts of the country, including those organized by the Dom João VI Institute. He has also been giving conferences in various European countries to selected audiences and participating in events committed to upholding the traditional values of European Civilization, namely those promoted by the Association Pro-Tradition and European Culture (APTCE). He always impress his audiences by the clarity, frontality and timeliness of the concepts issued. He is Member, Honorary and Effective, of several Academies and Cultural Institutions (national and foreign).

In the close contact with a growing number of people, the Most Serene Dom Filipe feels that the Portuguese will rediscover their path in the pursuit of values, which in the time of the Monarchy, made Portugal great and respected among the Nations. In the midst of a profound identity crisis plaguing the whole of Europe, and in the face of a confusing political, social and cultural situation today, embittered by successive frustrations provided by these or those figures in the political sphere, monarchical sentiment and hope. are reborn in the members of the Constitutional Dynastic Branch of the Royal House of Portugal, so that they are ready to one day serve Portugal and the Portuguese.