Prince Karl of Mariana
| Prince Karl of Mariana | |||||||||
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| Prince of Mariana | |||||||||
| File:Prince Karl Mariana.png | |||||||||
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| Royal family | Van Draak family | ||||||||
| Father | Prince Wilhelm of Mariana | ||||||||
| Mother | Leonore Kristen Birkeland | ||||||||
| Religion | Catholic | ||||||||
| Occupation | Urban planner, reservist | ||||||||
Karl Pieter van Draak (born 17 October 1990) is a Marianan prince and is ninth in line to Mariana's throne. Karl is a cousin of Queen Helene of Mariana.
Biography
Karl is the eldest child of Prince Wilhelm and Princess Leonore Birkeland. His father is the younger brother of Queen Helene's father, Anthony. Karl has two younger sisters, Stephanie (born 1995) and Brigitte (born 2005). Karl did his early schooling with tutors at his family residence, later going to Juan Brandis Primary School (studying in Dutch) and the elite Ambrosian College (English studying) in Palma, both public schools.
Military career
Karl began studying at the Royal University of Mariana in 2008 to study urban planning. He studied two years before he joined the Royal Guard, joining the 16th Armoured Company "Vergos de Bryas" as an armoured car commander, having graduated from the Royal Military academy as a lieutenant. In 2013 he left the military to resume his studies, graduating in urban planning and architecture in 2015, doing his final year at Stanford University in Sierra. He continued as a reservist in the 14th Infantry Company "Jupiter" in Ibiza.
Karl then took up work with the Ibiza government on development projects, primarily on the development of low-income housing in the suburbs, and with the local transit office to further the public bus system.
In February 2016 it was announced the prince would return to full-time duty with the Vergos de Bryas Company. He was promoted to Captain on 20 November and will be taking up a yearlong posting with the 16th Santa Clara Infantry Regiment in the Sierran Royal Army along with two sergeants from his unit. As of 2016 he is Capt. 117263 Karl van Draak, 16th Armoured Cie.
Upon his marriage with Queen Angelina II of Sierra, he will resign his commission in the Royal Guard.
Personal life
Karl is a fan of football and tennis, a supporter and keen advocate for tennis in Mariana. He is a fan of FC Palma. The prince has been involved with several women; from 2009 to 2012 he was in a relationship with Clara Barnbrook, a graphic designer, but they parted due to the stress of being in the media spotlight. In 2014 and 2015 he dated English actress Imogen Poots, though they have since broken up, reportedly over <<media intrusion>>.
Media reported that he and then-Crown Princess Elisa of Sierra were potentially interested in each other when she visited Mariana in 2013. Upon his departure for Sierra in 2015, it was further reported that he and Queen Angelina of Sierra were romantically involved, confirmed by the Sierran Royal Family. The pair announced an engagement in May 2016, with a wedding date for 23 December 2016.