Biography of His Royal Highness
His Royal Highness, the Sovereign Prince, also known as Ri-Flaith (Kingly Prince) Carl Raymond Bradley, is the Sovereign Head of the Royal House of Bradley, the Cenel Bhrolchan, and Clan Bradley.
A Prince of Royal Irish descent and Defender of Faith and Heritage,
he was officially recognised in this role on 29 June 2024.
Prince Carl’s noble heritage traces back to the Rí Tuath through Suibhne Meann, Ard-Rí (High King) of Ireland, and Rí (King) of Aileach in Donegal — leader of the Cenél Bhrolchan, part of the Cenél Fearadhaigh and Cenél Eoghain dynasties.
Born on 29 May 1964, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA, he is the firstborn son of Prince Gerald Paul Bradley and Kurfürstin, Herzogin, and Princess Consort Christine Rosemary Förnbacher,
the Head of the House of Förnbacher.
On his mother’s side, he descends from Kurfürst and Herzog Ernest Gottlieb Förnbacher of the Ancient Noble House of Fornbach in Germany. Raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, His Royal Highness grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition, receiving baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.
Family Life
The prince is the eldest of six children, with four surviving sisters:
• Princess Royal Kathleen Marie Bradley Albright
• Princess Mary Esther Bradley-Hollern
• Princess Barbara Ann Bradley-Wilt
• Princess Denise Lynn Bradley.
His second sister, Princess Theresa Bradley, passed away in infancy. On 4 December 1986, Prince Carl married Princess Consort Elke Petra Scherlein in Svendborg, Denmark. As a Dame of the ancient Uradel nobility of Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany, she shares his commitment to service and tradition.
Together, they have three children:
• Princess Christina Elisabeth-Ann Bradley (b. 23 January 1990, Tacoma, WA)
• Prince Patrick Ryan Bradley (b. 8 November 1991, Columbus, GA)
• Prince Shawn Michael-Christopher Bradley (b. 15 July 1993, Altoona, PA)
Education and Military Service
Prince Carl completed his formal education while actively serving in the military. In 1993, he earned a Doctorate in the Philosophy of Religious Beliefs, with a focus on Conscious Business Ethics, from Sedona University, Arizona. He is fluent in English and German, has a working knowledge of Polish, and is studying Gaelic.
Military Honours and International Recognition
He enlisted in the United States Army on 1 September 1981, serving in global deployments and various U.S. and NATO posts and operations. His distinguished career culminated in his role as an instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, where he retired on 5 of March 1993.
Military Distinctions Prince Carl’s military record includes prestigious U.S. and international honours
• Parachutist Wings with Combat Jump Star • Ranger Qualification • Expert Infantryman Badge • Combat Infantryman Badge • Army Commendation Medal with “V” for Valor (with several oak leaf clusters) • Army Achievement Medal (with several oak leaf clusters) • National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal 2nd Award • Combat Patch 2nd Ranger Battalion 'Old Scroll' • Parachutist Wings from Germany (Bronze) • Army Expeditionary Forces Medal with Arrowhead and Star • Parachutist Wings from Canada (Red) • Parachutist Wings from Panama • Parachutist Wings from Egypt • Schützenschnur (Gold) from the German Armed Forces.
Sovereign Restoration and Nobility
Upon retiring from military service, Prince Carl undertook the restoration of the Royal House of Bradley, upholding the ancient rights and visibility of his noble heritage. Despite opposition from within and outside his lineage, he succeeded in reaffirming its sovereign status, linked through his maternal inheritance to the House of Förnbacher and the historic Counts of Fornbach. Following the passing of Princess Christine in March 2024, Prince Carl declared the House of Bradley an Interdependent Sovereign Entity, formally preserving its status through a Declaration of Sovereignty and codified governance.
Public Service and Philanthropy
HRH Prince Bradley began his service as a dispatcher for Blair County 911 and volunteered as a firefighter with the Newburg Fire Company, where he also served as Safety Officer. He was a Structural Collapse Technician and Fire School Instructor at HACC and the State Fire Academy in Lewistown, Pa. His roles included serving as a Company, Township, County, and State Fire Police Officer in Newburg Fire Company, Logan Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania. He worked as an EMT with Bellwood Ambulance Services and Newburg Fire Company.
Additionally, he served as a Security Police Officer with Pinkerton Detective Agency Government Services, where he was sworn in as a Major, overseeing security and police operations for over 100 clients and U.S. Government Contractors.
Later, he joined the Housekeeping Department at the James E. Van Zandt Veterans Medical Centre in Altoona, Pa., retiring on 30 October 2019.
Dedicated to Christian virtue and public service, His Royal Highness founded the Prince Bradley Foundation to support youth welfare, education, and medical aid for children. As Sovereign of the Most Royal Order of the House of Bradley, he leads ceremonial, charitable, and cultural events across the United States and in European countries connected to his heritage. Through his work, Prince Carl blends the legacy of aristocratic duty with humility and modern relevance. Known for his faith, humour, and dedication, he continues to uphold his oath as a Prince and servant-leader, reviving the tradition that true sovereignty is shown through service.