From 28 to 30 May 2025, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Davit and Prince Giorgi of Georgia visited Cantabria, Spain, to attend the Rally Festival Hoznayo. This year’s edition was dedicated to the memory of the late HRH Prince Jorge Bagration Mukhran-Batoni, a celebrated racing champion and former Head of the Royal House of Georgia. He was the father of HRH Crown Prince Davit and grandfather of HRH Prince Giorgi, the heir.
Prince Jorge was born in Rome in 1944 into the Royal House of Georgia, of the Bagrationi dynasty that ruled Georgia for centuries. He served as Head of the Royal House of Georgia from 1977 until his death in 2008, succeeding his father, HRH Prince Irakli.
Widely regarded as the greatest racing driver in Georgian history, Prince Jorge achieved a legendary career in motorsport. He was crowned Spanish champion 13 times across various disciplines, including rally, GT, and hill climb. His accomplishments extended far beyond national titles. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1000 Kilometres of Nürburgring, and the 1000 Kilometres of Buenos Aires, and raced in Formula 2 and Formula 3. Notably, he took part in the 1971 Copa Brasil at the Interlagos circuit, where he defeated double Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi. He also claimed victory over 1981 World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen.
Among his most celebrated victories was the 1981 Firestone Rally in Cantabria, where he finished ahead of Vatanen. The 2025 edition of the Rally Festival, organised by Spanish driver Marcos de Diego, featured nearly 200 participating teams and included Vatanen himself, lending the tribute additional historical significance.
During the event, Crown Prince Davit expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the organisers and to the people of Cantabria for honouring his father’s memory. He described Prince Jorge not only as a gifted and courageous sportsman, but also as a man of unwavering dignity and loyalty to the Georgian Crown.
The Royal House of Georgia continues to uphold the memory of HRH Prince Jorge Bagration Mukhran-Batoni, whose life and legacy remain a lasting source of inspiration for Georgia and the international motorsport community.
Image source: Rallye Festival Hoznayo
