Royal Wedding
The Royal Wedding of H.R.H. Princess Idony Punhele to H.R.H. Prince Alfredo Côrte-Real took place on 30 September 2023 in Portugal at the Convento dos Lóios in Santa Maria da Feira, followed by the traditional cocktail and dinner at the Castle of Santa Maria da Feira.
The invitation was extended by H.R.H. Prince George I'í Baker, the bride's grandfather, and H.R.H. Princess Georgette Pua'ala, the bride's mother.
Hawaii and Portugal have numerous connections that date back to the discovery of the Hawaiian islands by Europeans (Portugal and Spain). In the 19th century, these ancient connections were strengthened between King Kalakaua and the King of Portugal, Luís I. As a result, there was a great migration, especially from Madeira and the Azores, to Hawaii. Thus, the Portuguese people left an indelible mark on Hawaii's history, culture and tradition. In order to maintain, strengthen and consolidate these links, the Royal House of Hawaii is joining forces by marriage with an illustrious lineage of royal and high noble bloodlines descended from the ancient lineages of Portugal, the Iberian Peninsula and Europe.
The Convento dos Lóios owes its construction, in XV century, to the 1st and 2nd Counts of Feira, one of the groom's ancestral lineages. The Counts of Feira were also Lords of Feira Castle, which was their residence until the terrible fire that destroyed the building. His Family history is attached to this castle for more than 1000 years.
The royal blood of the groom is descended from several Royal Houses, such as the 1st King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, Henri, Compte de Bourgogne, Charlemagne, Alfred I (England), the Kings of Naples of the royal dynasty of Pignatelli, the Roman Emperors of the Comnenus and Paliologos dynasties, the kings and queens of the pre-Spain kingdoms of Castille, Leon and Aragon, D. Egas Moniz, one of the lauded knights of the legendary Twelve of England, Prince Vlad II of the House of Basarab, and also the Côrte-Real Navigators, the Navigator Nicolau Coelho, among many other notables in Portuguese history.
It should be noted that this is the first Royal Wedding to take place in the Terras de Santa Maria, a region with more than a thousand years of dynastic history.
The ceremony was presided over by the Most Reverend Father Ricardo Lameira, Chaplain of the Military Order of St Sebastian called of the Arrow and Chaplain of the Order of Malta. The religious celebration of this wedding was open to the public, who turned out in large numbers outside the church and showed great joy at the happy union. For the first time since the illegal U.S. annexation of Hawai'i, which was publicly recognized by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, the Royal oli (chant) was sung at the bride's entrance, a protocol oli only used in royal ceremonies, which had not been sung since the 19th century.
The bride's dress was designed by Princess Idony Punahele, who has been recognized as a fashion icon in the Royal Houses. Her Royal tiara is adorned with diamonds of varying sizes and, at center, a rare pearl from the Pacific Ocean.
The ceremonial godparents of H.R.H. Prince Alfredo were his brother, H.E. the architect Artur Côrte-Real Souto Neves and the S.S. Count of Rio Grande. As H.R.H. Princess Idony Punahele's godmothers, H.R.H. Princess Georgette Pua'ala and the Viscountess of São Bartolomeu de Messines, were her godmothers.
Their Royal Highnesses also received numerous messages from organizations and friends. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests such as members of various Royal Houses, including the Legitimate, Legal and Constitutional branch to the Throne of Portugal, the Royal House of Hawai'i and countless personalities from a wide range of fields, including some noblemen, academics, mayors, diplomats, the cinema, music, historians, the military, television and the press. We would also like to highlight the names of H.R.H. Dom Pedro, Duque de Loulé, S.S. Dom Filipe, Count of Rio Grande, several mayors from various municipalities as well as Portuguese military personnel. the Ambassadress and Viscountess of São Baertolomeu de Messines, the Marquise of Graciosa, the daughter of the Baron of Palme and Don Enrique Villamor, Polish Consul in Spain. Hollywood documentary filmmaker, Jaswant Shresta, who has won numerous awards worldwide and won an Emmy last year, world-renowned director Carlos Sargedas, who is also president of the prestigious Finisterra Film Festivals, international award-winning director Carlos Araújo, director of "The Legend of the Rooster", the iconic and best-known Greek television presenter and documentary maker Yannis Koutsumitis, the scientist George Mitsuoka (M.I.T.), Dr. Francisco Mourão, representative of the History Channel in Portugal, the illustrious opera prodigy Constança Sousa e Melo, the well-known Portuguese singers Alexandre Faria and Élvio Santiago, the owner of the famous Orpheu a Belgium-based publishing house Joaquim José Pinto da Silva and the famous Estonian Chef Kristel Randruut. The Guard of Honour, maintaining the tradition that gave rise to it, created by the Queen of Portugal D. Maria II, was led by the illustrious Lancers of Portugal (AVLP) whose professionalism, dedication, sacrifice and commitment were beyond reproach.