the fact that, amidst the turmoil in political partisanship that has roiled Georgia since its independence in 1991, Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia publicly called for restoration of the monarchy as a path toward national unity in October 2007. Although this led some politicians and parties to entertain the notion of a Georgian constitutional monarchy, competition arose among the old dynasty's princes and supporters, as historians and jurists debated which Bagrationi has the strongest hereditary right to a throne that has been vacant for two centuries. Although some monarchists support the Gruzinsky branch's claim, others — including most Royal Houses — support that of the re-patriated Mukhraneli branch. Both branches descend from the medieval kings of Georgia down to Constantine II of Georgia who died in 1505, and continue in unbroken, legitimate male line into the 21st century. Davit is the only member of his branch who retains Georgian citizenship and residence since the death of his father, Prince George Bagration-Mukhraneli, in 2008. Aside from his unmarried elder brother Irakli, Davit is the heir male of the Bagrationi family, while the bride's father is the most senior descendant of the last Bagrationi to reign over the united kingdom of eastern Georgia. The marriage between Nugzar Gruzinsky's heiress and the Mukhrani heir may resolve their rivalry for the claim to the throne. Prince David and Princess Anna became the parents of a boy on 27 September 2011, Prince Giorgi Bagration Bagrationi, who, in his person, potentially unites the Mukhraneli and Gruzinsky claims. If no other Bagrationi prince is born in either the Gruzinsky or Mukhraneli branch who is of senior descent by primogeniture, and he survives those now living, Prince Giorgi will become the heir male of the House of Bagrationi and the heir general of George XIII of Georgia. Gallery of some Georgian monarchs of Bagrationi dynasty See also Georgian monarchs family tree of Bagrationi dynasty of Tao-Klarjeti Georgian monarchs family tree of Bagrationi dynasty of united Georgia Georgian monarchs family tree of Bagrationi dynasty of Kartli Georgian monarchs family tree of Bagrationi dynasty of Kakheti Georgian monarchs family tree of Bagrationi dynasty of Imereti Monarchism in Georgia References Sources Mikaberidze, A. (2015) Historical Dictionary of Georgia, Rowman & Littlefield, Baddeley, JF, Gammer M (INT) (2003), The Russian Conquest of the Caucasus, Routledge (UK), (First published in 1908; 1999 edition, reprinted in 2003) Lang, DM (1957), The Last Years of