Overview
Alexander, Prince of Saxony, Margrave of Meissen (German: Alexander Prinz von Sachsen Herzog zu Sachsen; born Alexander Afif on 12 February 1954), is the nephew, adopted son and heir of Maria Emanuel, Margrave of Meissen, and a businessman with Lebanese, Turkmen, Mexican, Portuguese, Italian, French, Polish, and German roots. Following the death of Maria Emanuel in July 2012 he assumed the headship of the Royal House of Saxony, based on a 1997 agreement that named him heir, but which was repudiated a few years later by a number of signatories. His claim is disputed by his cousin Prince Daniel of Saxony.
Early life and career
Born in Munich as Alexander Afif, he is the eldest son of Roberto Afif, Dr. Jur (mentioned as Catholic nobleman of Lebanon) and Princess Anna of Saxony. At birth Alexander did not possess rights to the abolished throne of Saxony (which was regulated by semi-Salic succession) as his parents’ marriage did not meet the equal marriage requirements of the Saxon house law. Alexander legally assumed the surname Prinz von Sachsen-Gessaphe on 25 August 1972.
Alexander grew up mainly in Mexico eventually taking over the running of a logistics company from his father. He married Princess Gisela of Bavaria (b. 10 September 1964), firstly civilly at Mexico City 3 April 1987 and then religiously at Andechs Abbey 29 August 1987. They have four children:
Prince Georg Philipp of Saxony (b. 24 May 1988, Mexico City)
Prince Moritz Gabriel of Saxony (b. 14 Sep 1989, Mexico City)
Prince Paul Clemens of Saxony (b. 23 Mar 1993, Mexico City)
Princess Maria Teresita of Saxony (b. 7 July 1999, Dresden), married on 27 May 2023 in Ivoy-le-Pré, France, Count Béryl de Saporta
His marriage with Gisela enhanced his dynastical potential in the eyes of his maternal uncle, the childless Margrave who was left without a clearly eligible heir when Alexander's first cousin, the young Prince Johannes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1969–1987), was killed in August 1987 in a climbing accident.
From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
