A high society wedding! Liechtenstein Princess Maria Immaculata marries her classical singer boyfriend after 'five-year secret romance'

Princess Maria Immaculata of Liechtenstein officially married Zurab Dzidziguri, a Georgian baritone and restaurateur, in a ceremony held at St Peter's Church in Vienna on October 31. The wedding publicly unveiled a relationship that had been kept private for five years. The event was marked by traditional elements, combining European royal customs with Georgian cultural touches.

The bride wore a lace off-the-shoulder gown designed by a Georgian artist, reflecting her husband’s heritage. She complemented her dress with a historic Peacock Tiara from 1926, a treasured heirloom from her paternal grandmother’s family, the House of Thurn und Taxis. Dzidziguri honored his Georgian roots by wearing traditional wedding attire. The ceremony followed Greek Orthodox traditions, including the couple wearing crowns during the exchange of rings.

The couple’s relationship began on the slopes of the Caucasus, where they fell in love five years ago. Princess Maria had relocated to Georgia at age 30 to study Russian, a move suggested by a friend, which led to their meeting. Despite the length of their relationship, the couple kept their romance under wraps until introducing Dzidziguri to Liechtenstein’s reigning prince in August, shortly before the wedding.

The wedding was attended by guests from various European royal houses, emphasizing the union as a blending of Georgian and European cultures. Dzidziguri’s family ties to royalty are notable; his sister, Princess Kristine de Bagration-Mukhrani, is married into the Georgian royal family. Kristine publicly congratulated the newlyweds, highlighting the symbolic significance of the event in merging diverse traditions.

Photographs from the day captured scenes such as Zurab assisting Princess Maria as she descended from a horse-drawn carriage and the couple cutting a four-tier wedding cake. The ceremony’s lavishness was fitting for a princess and a classical singer whose shared love of music and travel was a cornerstone of their relationship.

This wedding follows another notable Liechtenstein royal event: Princess Marie Caroline, daughter of the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein, recently wed investment manager Leopoldo Maduro Vollmer in Vaduz. Marie Caroline’s marriage contrasted with Maria Immaculata’s by being more public from the outset and set in Liechtenstein's capital.

Princess Maria Immaculata’s marriage to a classical vocalist is a rare instance where music and nobility intersect in such a public way. Given Dzidziguri’s background as a baritone and restaurateur, the union could stimulate interest in classical music within royal circles and possibly influence cultural patronage or collaborations.

From a genre standpoint, Dzidziguri’s elevated profile through this marriage might enhance visibility for Georgian classical singers on the European stage, especially as Georgian and European traditions meet in this cultural celebration. It remains unconfirmed whether the couple will pursue joint public musical projects or how this alliance might affect their touring or recording schedules.

The ceremony’s blending of Greek Orthodox practices with Liechtenstein and Georgian royal customs demonstrates an intricate respect for heritage and identity in modern royal marriages. Such an event might inspire future cross-cultural ceremonies that highlight diverse ancestries while celebrating unified family values.

Princess Maria, at 35, and Zurab, also 35, embody a contemporary royal couple balancing tradition and personal passion. Her choice to engage a Georgian designer and wear an heirloom tiara exemplifies this dynamic. Their relationship’s delay in public acknowledgment suggests a preference for privacy over media spectacle, a contrast to many modern royal romances.

Princess Maria’s background as the daughter of Prince Gundakar of Liechtenstein and Princess Marie d’Orleans situates her prominently within European nobility, while Zurab’s connection to Georgian royalty through his sister reinforces the couple’s notable status. Their wedding symbolizes not only personal commitment but also a diplomatic and cultural bridge between their families’ realms.

The timing of their public introduction, shortly before the nuptials, and the adherence to traditional customs underscore the importance placed on protocol and heritage. It also reflects the couple’s intention to respect both private love and public responsibility.

This wedding adds a new chapter to Liechtenstein’s royal family history, intertwining classical music and aristocratic lineage. It may prompt further interest in baritone Dzidziguri’s career and the impact of his royal connection, potentially influencing his artistic trajectory and audience engagement going forward.