The Engagement of Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia and Princess Maria Pia of Savoy was announced at the Château de Merlinge in Switzerland on this day in 1954, 70 years ago, right after the Princess’ 20th Birthday.
The Italian and Yugoslavian Royal Families announced the Engagement of Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, son of Prince Paul of Yugoslavia and Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark, and Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, daughter of King Umberto II of Italy and Princess Marie Jose of Belgium, at the Château de Merlinge in Switzerland, the residence of Queen Marie Jose. The couple had met on the Greek Royal Family’s legendary ‘Cruise of Kings’ of the Mediterranean, Aegean, and the Ionian Seas on ‘Agamemnon’
From L-R; The Prince of Naples, Princess Maria Pia of Savoy, Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, Princess Maria Beatrice of Savoy, Queen Marie José of Italy, Princess Elisabeth of Yugoslavia, Princess Olga of Yugoslavia, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, and King Umberto II of Italy.
Ahead of the Wedding, a spectacular Gala Reception was held at the Palace Hotel of Estoril.
There was also another Gala Reception held at the Castro Guimarães Museum in Cascais.
