😃 Celebrating 85 Years of Royalty: The Duke de Sabran's Life of Distinction

Today, the world celebrates a remarkable milestone as the 8th Duc de Sabran, Charles Élzéar Marie Joseph Adrien de Sabran-Pontevès, marks his 85th birthday. Born on April 30, 1937, in Villecresnes, France, the duke has lived a life of distinction, marked by his dedication to preserving historical sites and his connections to the world of royalty. As a close friend of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, the duke's life has been intertwined with the glamour of European nobility.

Élzéar de Sabran-Pontevès has been a prominent figure in French society, known for his passion for historical preservation, particularly at the Château d'Ansouis. His engagement to Dewi Sukarno, the widow of Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia, in 1977, was a significant event in his life. As the duke approaches this milestone birthday, we take a moment to reflect on his remarkable journey and the enduring legacy he has left behind.

what are some notable achievements of the Duke de Sabran throughout his life

The Duke de Sabran, Charles Élzéar Marie Joseph Adrien de Sabran-Pontevès, has had a life marked by significant achievements and connections to European nobility. Born on April 30, 1937, he is the eighth Duke of Sabran, a title that has been carried by the de Pontevès family since 1825. The duke's life has been intertwined with historical preservation, particularly at the Château d'Ansouis, which he has worked to restore alongside his wife, Dewi Sukarno, the widow of Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia. One notable achievement of the duke is his engagement to Dewi Sukarno in 1977, which garnered significant attention due to their cultural and historical backgrounds. The couple shared a passion for historical preservation, and their work on the Château d'Ansouis is a testament to their dedication to preserving historical sites. The duke also married Dubravka "Douchka" Cizmek in 1997 and had a daughter, Delphine, in 2001.

who were the two Catholic saints from the House of Sabran

The House of Sabran, a noble family from Provence, has been associated with two Catholic saints. The first is Saint Elzear of Sabran, born in 1285 and died on September 27, 1323. He was a count of Ariano and a baron of Ansouis, known for his piety, charity, and bravery in battle. Saint Elzear was particularly devoted to the poor and lived a life of self-denial, undertaking severe bodily mortifications from a young age. He married Countess Delphina of the Glandeves family, and both spouses vowed perpetual virginity, living like brother and sister until death. The second saint from the House of Sabran is Saint Elzear's wife, Saint Delphina of Sabran, also known as Saint Dauphine. She was proclaimed bienheureuse for her mystic love and devotion to the humble. The couple is still celebrated in a procession every September in Ansouis, whose lordly domain has belonged to their family since the 10th century.

what were the key virtues of Saint Elzéar of Sabran

The key virtues of Saint Elzéar of Sabran, a Catholic saint and Count of Ariano, were:

1. Piety: Elzéar was raised in a devout environment and demonstrated a strong faith from childhood. He was known for his gentle and modest nature, which was evident even in his early years.
2. Charity: Saint Elzéar was particularly devoted to the poor and the unfortunate. He ensured that the poor were well cared for in his dominions, often dining with them at the same table as his wife, Countess Delphina.
3. Gentleness and Kindness: Despite being a military leader, Elzéar was known for his gentle and charitable approach. He won over his Italian subjects by his kindness and eventually became a trusted leader.
4. Perseverance: Saint Elzéar was committed to his vows of perpetual virginity, which he shared with his wife, Countess Delphina. They lived together in continence, respecting each other's commitment to a life of chastity.
5. Mortification of the Flesh: Elzéar undertook severe bodily mortifications from a young age to keep his flesh in subjection to the spirit. This self-discipline was a hallmark of his spiritual life.
6. Humility: Saint Elzéar was known for his humility, often referring to himself as a servant of God. He did not seek to draw attention to himself and was willing to live a life of simplicity and humility.
7. Courage: As a military leader, Elzéar demonstrated remarkable courage in battle, earning him the title of a "warrior saint".

These virtues, combined with his dedication to the Catholic faith and his commitment to living a life of prayer and asceticism, have made Saint Elzéar of Sabran a revered figure in the Catholic Church.

The duke and duchess de Sabran. Photo (c) Getty Images / Bertrand Rindoff Petroff.

 

Today, the 8th Duc de Sabran celebrates his eighty-fifth birthday!

 

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Born on 30 April 1937 at Villecresnes, Charles Élzéar Marie Joseph Adrien de Sabran-Pontevès was the first child of Foulques, 7th Duc de Sabran (1908-1973) and Roselyne Manca-Amat de Vallambrosa (1910-1988). Roselyne, duchesse de Sabran, was a close friend of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. Élzéar had four younger siblings: Jean Henri (1939-2017; married Marie Isabelle Decazes de Glücksbierg), Géraud (1940-1941), Gersende (b.1942; married Prince Jacques, Duc d'Orléans), and Vicomte Géraud de Sabran (b.1943; married Stéphanette Fabre). Élzéar became the 8th duc de Sabran following the death of his father in 1973. Élzéar found his career in business and is the owner of the Château d'Ansouis.

Élzéar and Dewi Sukarno with her daughter Kartika, December 1977. Photo (c) Reginald Davis of The Australian Women's Weekly.

In December 1977, Élzéar de Sabran-Pontevès alluded to his upcoming engagement to Naoko Nemoto (b.1940; aka Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno), one of the wives and subsequent widows of Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia. The French duke and the widow of the Indonesian leader had been seeing one another since 1975. Élzéar was forty years-old and described as being "very good looking and rather shy" as well as having "the figure of an athlete and a young man's exuberance." It was stated that the couple would officially announce their betrothal early in 1978. Élzéar, by then Duc de Sabran, commented: "It has been impossible for Dewi and me to get any time together. We simply never get away from people. That is why we are leaving Paris and taking a holiday visiting Japan and the places Dewi knows and loves. It will be nice for me to see these places. Dewi knows my world well - and apparently likes it. Now I must know hers. It will be a quiet visit. I am fascinated by the Orient, and I want to see as much as I can on this holiday. I am not a member of the jet set. I do not travel a lot. When I travel, I would rather see a lot of the country and learn something of its culture." The duke shared that he and Madame Sukarno shared a passion for historical preservation, particularly of the Château d'Ansouis. "I take care of the outside, and Dewi has been in charge of the restoration of the first and second floors. We love d'Ansouis. It is part of my life and something to return to. There is nothing new, nothing brash at d'Ansouis. Nothing we have not lived with for generations." For reasons unknown, the Duc de Sabran and Madame Dewi Sukarno never married. 

The duke and duchess de Sabran, 2001. Photo (c) Getty Images / Bertrand Rindoff Petroff.

In 1997, the Duc de Sabran married Dubravka "Douchka" Cizmek (b.1946) at Versailles. The couple were religiously married at the Château d'Ansouis in 1999. Élzéar and Dubravka, Duke and Duchess de Sabran, welcomed the arrival of their only child, a daughter Delphine, in 2001.

 

 

Our best wishes to the Duke on his birthday!

As we conclude this article celebrating the 85th birthday of the Duke de Sabran, we are reminded of the rich history and cultural heritage that he embodies. The duke's life has been marked by his dedication to preserving historical sites, particularly the Château d'Ansouis, which he shares with his wife, Dewi Sukarno. Their passion for historical preservation is a testament to the enduring legacy of the House of Sabran, which has been a significant part of European nobility for centuries. The duke's connection to the world of royalty, having been a close friend of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, further underscores his importance in the world of European nobility.

As we reflect on the duke's remarkable journey, we are struck by the numerous milestones he has achieved. From his early years as the first child of Foulques, 7th Duc de Sabran, to his engagement to Dewi Sukarno in 1977, the duke has consistently demonstrated his commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of his family. His dedication to the Château d'Ansouis is a shining example of this commitment, as he works tirelessly to restore and maintain the historical site. As the duke approaches this milestone birthday, we take a moment to appreciate the enduring legacy he has left behind, a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. The House of Sabran will always be remembered for its significant contributions to European nobility, and the Duke de Sabran will be celebrated for his unwavering dedication to preserving the cultural heritage of his family.

what are some lesser-known facts about the Duke de Sabran's family history

The House of Sabran, a noble family from Provence, has a rich history marked by significant events and notable figures. Here are some lesser-known facts about the Duke de Sabran's family history:

1. Origins: The name "Sabran" stems from the barony of Sabran near Bagnols sur Cèze in the north of the département of Gard. The barony also possessed significant assets in the town of Beaucaire and a portion of the city of Uzès, which fell to it as a result of the marriage around 1156 of Rostaing II to Roscie du Caylar, granddaughter of Elzéart d'Uzès.
2. Catholic Saints: The House of Sabran counts two Catholic saints among its members: Elzéar de Sabran, canonized in 1369, and his wife Dauphine or Delphine, proclaimed bienheureuse, for their mystic love and their love for the humble. Procession is still made for them every September in Ansouis, whose lordly domain has belonged to their family since the 10th century.
3. Knights of the Order of Malta: Several members of the House of Sabran were knights of the Order of Malta, marshalls of the kingdom of Naples, or officers of high rank in the royal navy (Marine royale) in France.
4. Counts and Dukes: The family was also counts of Ariano, sovereign counts of Forcalquier, counts of Sabran, then of Sabran-Pontevès, baron of Ansouis, and peers and dukes of France. They were received to the Honneurs de la Cour.
5. Adoption: Due to the childlessness of Elzéar-Louis of Sabran, the title of Duke of Sabran was transmitted to the de Pontevès family through an 1832 adoption. This family has since carried the name de Sabran.
6. Connection to the French Royal Family: The House of Sabran has connections to the French royal family through marriages and alliances. For example, Louis Hector Honoré de Sabran married an English lady, and his son, Louis de Sabran, became a royal chaplain to King James II.
7. Historical Preservation: The Duke de Sabran, along with his wife Dewi Sukarno, has been involved in the preservation of historical sites, particularly the Château d'Ansouis. They share a passion for historical preservation and have worked together to restore the château.

These lesser-known facts highlight the significant historical and cultural contributions of the House of Sabran, which has played a notable role in European nobility for centuries.