Van Draak family

The family Van Draak is a Brunanter family and one of the oldest and noblest in the country. Since 1663, the family has been the Royal Family when Karl Van Draak became King. Currently, the family's most prominent member is Queen Helene.

Name
The current royal family is the Van Draak Family, which are descended from Karl Van Draak. As King Adrian II is the oldest male-line descendant bearing the name, technically the family should be called "Sobieski" since his father was the son of Jan III Sobieski, King of Poland. Adrian adopted the Van Draak name in order to keep continuity with his predecessors.

Early history
The Van Draak family is descended from Karl Van Draak. Born the grandson of the Spanish Duke of Escalona, he adopted a Dutch name to appeal to the people. He was the grandson of King Adrian I (of the Van Damme Family) through his mother, thus all Van Draak family members are directly descended from other previous Brunanter Kings. The family was of patrilineal Spanish descent and of mixed descent via his mother's ancestors. Technically, the family Van Draak (at least in the male line) has been extinct since 1787 with the death of Pieter I. He had two daughters, one of whom married but was unable to inherit the throne (due to salic law). Furthermore, Prince Karl of Brunant, the only other prince (Karl Van Draak's son) had no issue. Thus, subsequent monarchs have been descended from Marten I's daughter and her husband; Maximilian Sobieski.

Succession crisis
Following Pieter's deposition in 1784 by James Carrington, he still asserted his claim to the Brunanter throne while in exile. Following his death there was little opposition of having Adrian, a male in power over his female cousins. But, Pieter's daughters continued carrying their father's claim. In 1925, the last descendant of Princess Brigitta died, and with him the last surviving heir of Pieter I.

Members
Following Pieter's deposition in 1784 by James Carrington, he still asserted his claim to the Brunanter throne while in exile. Following his death there was little opposition of having Adrian, a male in power over his female cousins. But, Pieter's daughters continued carrying their father's claim. In 1925, the last descendant of Princess Brigitta died, and with him the last surviving heir of Pieter I.

Royal family
The royal family, on the other hand, is composed of:


 * Queen Helene, Prince Bernd, Princess Marianne, Prince Cristian
 * Anthony, his wife Princess Lindsay and their son Nicholas
 * Prince Alexander
 * Queen Alexandra, Helene's grandmother