Mystery solved

Flight 447, an Airbus A330, vanished from radar at high altitude during an Atlantic storm on1st June 2009. All 228 on board were killed. His Imperial and Royal Highness Dom Pedro Luiz de Orléans e Bragança, Prince of Brazil, was aboard Air France flight 447 and died at the age of 26. He was heir presumptive to the Brazilian Crown.

In its report, the French aviation safety authority, BEA, today said faulty sensors and inadequate pilot training caused Air France's Rio-to-Paris flight to crash into the Atlantic. Their final report caps a bitter row between Air France and Airbus.

Chief investigator Alain Bouillard said the two co-pilots - left at the controls while the captain rested - never understood that their plane was in a stall and "were in a situation of near total loss of control" in darkness during the final four minutes before the plane slammed into the ocean 1,500 kilometers off Brazil's coast. Only a well-experienced crew with a clear understanding of the situation would have stabilized the plane in those conditions, Bouillard said.

The report also found that the co-pilots had also lacked instruments to help them identify and manage unusual situations.

Although the final report gives the bereaved some consolation, the Brazilian Monarchists are still mourning a brilliant young man who could have become Brazil's Emperor.

Dead Brazilian Prince commemorated

The first anniversary of the death of Brazilian heir presumptive His Imperial and Royal Highness Dom Pedro Luiz de Orleans e Bragança, Prince of Brazil, is to be commemorated in his country. The 26-year-old Prince, eldest nephew and heir of the present Head of the Brazilian Imperial Family, was a direct descendant of Brazil's Emperor Pedro II, who at the time of his reign was referred to as “the philosopher on the throne” was among the 228 people killed when Air France flight 447 went down en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on 31st May 2009. (See the news of June 2009 and the family's communiqué).

Dom Pedro Luiz had been returning to Luxembourg, where he worked in a financial institution, after visiting family. Brazil's Estado de S. Paulo newspaper claimed he had moved to Europe to find a royal bride to further his ambition to restore the monarchy in the South American country. Dom Pedro Luiz was a passionate supporter of his right to rule. As a child, he attended pro-monarchy rallies with his father, Prince Antonio de Orleans e Braganca, and later helped found the Youth for Monarchy organisation and the Imperial Crusade movement. (See Instituto Dona Isabel I).

Yesterday Dom Pedro Luiz’ sister, H.I. & R.H. Princesse Amélia de Orleans e Bragança attended a Catholic mass at the Palace of Beloeil in commemoration of her late brother.

On 1st June Dom Pedro Luiz will be remembered in another Catholic mass in the Church Abacial de Nossa Senhora do Montserrat of the São Bento do Rio de Janeiro monastery. The mass will be celebrated by Dom José Palmeiro Mendes, Alessandro de Bourbon-Deux-Siciles and Jorge Luiz Pereira Neves da Silva.

Dom Pedro Luiz is to be seen on the left.

Communiqué from Prince Dom Luiz on the death of Prince Pedro Luiz

Prince Dom Luiz, head of the Imperial Family of Brazil

Pierced with sorrow, I fulfill my duty as Head of the Imperial House of Brazil to communicate the disappearance of my beloved nephew and much-regretted D. Pedro Luiz de Orleans e Bragança, in the fateful May 31 ocean crash of the Air France Rio-Paris flight.

Given the harrowing pain of his parents, D. Antonio and D. Christine, his brother and sisters, D. Amélia, D. Rafael and D. Maria Gabriela, and my dear Mother, D. Maria, I turn to them with special solicitude and affection.

And with the whole Imperial Family, I turn with the same solicitude and affection to all those who have lost their loved ones in the crash. To all these families - so very special to Brazil - the Imperial Family extends its condolences and asks God for the eternal repose of each and every victim.

Over the last few days, D. Pedro Luiz's parents and I have received so many manifestations of genuine mourning for the tragic event that I can only see these events as a living and authentic expression of the sense of family and ties of affection that unites the Imperial Family and all Brazilians, whether monarchist or not.

D. Pedro Luiz – the fourth in the line of dynastic succession - was a young Prince who rose in his generation as a promise, having attracted the interest and attention of many for his pleasant ways, undeniable qualities and for the traditions he represented.

As a result of his excellent upbringing and fine sense of duty, instilled by his parents, after having graduated in Business Administration at IBMEC in Rio de Janeiro, and his post-graduation at FGV, he took the initial steps of a promising career at BNP Paribas in Luxembourg, and showed great concern and commitment to show foreigners the great potential of our country.

But his presence was especially dear among those who believe the monarchy is the solution for today's Brazil .

D. Pedro Luiz was president of honor of Monarchic Youth and participated in noteworthy activities and events to the benefit of the monarchic ideal, often in the company of his parents. He represented the Imperial House on occasion, and I am especially pleased to recall his presence in Portugal for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil .

While this is a moment of apprehension and sadness, it can not be devoid of hope. Our hopes turn particularly to D. Pedro Luiz's brother, D. Rafael – to whom I wish courage and determination in the face of misfortune, and whom I urge to be a true example of Prince to his generation, turned to the good of Brazil and to setting an example of Christian virtues.

To close this painful communiqué, I turn my eyes to Our Lady Aparecida, Queen and Patroness of Brazil, Whom beseech with confidence to receive D. Pedro Luiz in eternity. And I ask for special prayers for him, as well as for his parents, brothers and my dear Mother, from all those who, in a spirit of faith, have supported the Imperial Family at this time of mourning.

São Paulo , June 5, 2009
Dom Luiz de Orleans e Bragança
Head of the Imperial House of Brazil