Category Archives: Monaco Royals

Wedding of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly

by Susan Flantzer © Unofficial Royalty 2017

Prince Rainier III of Monaco married Grace Kelly on April 18, 1956, in a civil ceremony in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville, Monaco, and in a religious ceremony on April 19, 1956, at St. Nicholas’ Cathedral in Monaco-Ville, Monaco.

YouTube: Wedding of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly

Prince Rainier’s Family

His Serene Highness Prince Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi was born on May 31, 1923, in Monaco. His parents were Count Pierre de Polignac and Princess Charlotte of Monaco, Duchess of Valentinois. Princess Charlotte was born Charlotte Louise Juliette Louvet, the illegitimate daughter of Marie Juliette Louvet, a cabaret singer, and Prince Louis II of Monaco. Prince Louis had no legitimate children and to prevent a cousin from succeeding to the Monegasque throne, in 1911 a law was passed recognizing Charlotte as his daughter and as a member of the princely family. Later, legislation made Charlotte legitimate, allowed her father to adopt her, and gave her the surname Grimaldi, and the title Duchess of Valentinois for life. Charlotte was, in effect, her father’s heiress presumptive.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Grimaldis have a number of major and minor royal ancestors including King James IV of Scotland (via three of his illegitimate daughters); Stéphanie de Beauharnais, Napoleon Bonaparte’s adopted daughter and later the Grand Duchess of Baden; William I (the Silent), Prince of Orange; King Charles IX of Sweden; Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor; Claude de Lorraine, duc de Guise; and Hortense Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin, a mistress of King Charles II of England.

Rainier’s father, Count Pierre de Polignac, was the son of Count Maxence de Polignac, a French aristocrat, and Susana María de la Torre y Mier, whose family were descendants of Mexican nobility. On the de Polignac side of his family, Pierre was a descendant of Yolande de Polastron, Duchesse de Polignac, a favorite of Queen Marie Antoinette of France, and Gabrielle de Rochechouart de Mortemart, older sister of Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart de Mortemart, better known as Madame de Montespan, the most celebrated mistress of King Louis XIV of France.

Charlotte and Pierre were married in a civil ceremony on March 19, 1920, and had a religious ceremony the following day. The day before the wedding an ordinance changed Pierre’s surname to Grimaldi and his coat of arms to those of the princely house. Pierre had been made a citizen of Monaco the month before the wedding. After the religious ceremony, he was known as Prince Pierre of Monaco, Duke of Valentinois. In addition to their son Rainier, the couple had a daughter Antoinette Louise Alberte Suzanne who was born December 28, 1920. Charlotte and Pierre’s marriage was an unhappy one. They separated on March 20, 1930, and were divorced by the ordinance of Prince Louis II on February 18, 1933.

On the day before Prince Rainier’s twenty-first birthday, Princess Charlotte renounced her claim to the throne of Monaco in favor of her son. Five years later, upon the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II on May 9, 1949, Rainier became Rainier III, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. He died on April 6, 2005, after ruling Monaco for nearly 56 years.

For more information about Rainier see:

Unofficial Royalty; Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Grace Kelly’s Family

Grace Patricia Kelly was born on November 12, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents were John Brendan Kelly, the son of Irish immigrants, and Margaret Katherine Majer, the daughter of German immigrants. Grace’s mother Margaret, a former fashion model, had studied physical education at Temple University in Philadelphia and was the first woman to be head of the Physical Education Department at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Grace’s father, known as Jack, had won three gold medals in rowing in the 1920 and 1924 Olympics. Jack had started his work career as a bricklayer and after serving in World War I, he created a bricklaying business that made him a millionaire.

Besides Grace, the Kellys had three other children: Margaret Katherine, known as Peggy, born on June 13, 1925; John Brendan, Jr., known as Kell, born on May 24, 1927, and Elizabeth Anne, known as Lizanne, born June 25, 1933. Grace’s brother Kell followed his father’s athletic footsteps and competed in rowing at the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Summer Olympics. He won a bronze medal in the 1956 Olympics. Interestingly, Grace’s son Albert participated in bobsledding in the Winter Olympics of 1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, and 2002 and has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985.

Grace Kelly was a well-known film actress before her marriage. Among her films are: High Noon with Gary Cooper, Mogambo with Clark Gable, three Alfred Hitchcock films: Dial M for Murder with Ray Milland, Rear Window with James Stewart, and To Catch a Thief with Cary Grant, The Country Girl with Bing Crosby and William Holden for which Grace won an Academy Award for Best Actress, and her last film High Society with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

Tragically, Princess Grace died on September 14, 1982, from injuries received in an automobile accident.

For more information about Grace see:

Unofficial Royalty: Princess Grace of Monaco

Engagement and Ring

Since much of both Grace and Rainier’s lives were in the public eye, a private courtship was something of a task, especially considering the distance between the United States and Monaco. After meeting the Prince in Monaco during the Cannes Film Festival in May of 1955, Grace corresponded quietly with Rainier until he made a trip to the United States in December of that year. He asked Grace to marry him over the Christmas holiday, and on January 5, 1956, their engagement was announced in a press conference held at her family’s home in Philadelphia.

When Rainier proposed to Grace during the Christmas holiday of 1955, he gave her a “friendship” ring: a band set with diamonds and rubies. He also told her he was having a ring created especially for her.

An engagement ball was held in their honor at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York on January 6, 1956, but by January 17th, Grace was due in Hollywood to begin filming “High Society” for MGM. When she went to California, Rainier went with her for a short time. In the film, Grace plays a young woman engaged to be married. She had selected a large, emerald cut, paste diamond engagement ring from MGM’s prop department to wear for the film, and when asked about her engagement ring, Grace would often flaunt the paste ring, claiming it was hers. During filming, the ring from Prince Rainier arrived, and Grace was astounded to find it remarkably similar to the paste ring she’d been wearing. She switched the rings immediately; which means the lovely diamond she’s seen polishing on a throw pillow in the movie is her actual engagement ring.

Before filming ended in February, Rainier returned to Monaco, and Grace began throwing herself actively into wedding plans and closing her New York apartment. She would not see Rainier again until she arrived in Monaco in April.

Sources:
“The Bridesmaids: Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, and Six Intimate Friends” by Judith Balaban Quine
“Princess Grace” by Sarah Bradford
“Rainier and Grace: An Intimate Portrait” by Jeffrey Robinson
“Grace: The Secret Lives of a Princess” by James Spada

Grace’s Trip to Monaco

Because air travel was not, in 1956, what it is today, Grace Kelly traveled to her wedding in Monaco by ship. She boarded the U.S.S. Constitution with her family, her bridal party, their families, and assorted friends for the voyage. There were 66 members of the party, plus the Weimaraner puppy Grace received as a wedding gift and her pampered poodle, Oliver.

Grace and her party boarded the ship at New York’s Pier 84 on April 4, 1956. Grace had intended to have a small press conference to announce her departure. Unfortunately, the media was overly anxious to get a few words and a few photos. Approximately 250 members of the press swarmed Grace as she stood on deck. Eventually, she was escorted away to the bridal suite by security, and the press was removed, in some cases bodily, to the dock.

Grace at sea

The voyage lasted eight days. The days were spent visiting with friends and family and making last-minute preparations. Each evening there was a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and a party. Grace’s friends and family were fond of word games, cards, and charades and all these were played with great gusto.

Early on the morning of April 12, Prince Rainier boarded his yacht, the Deo Juvante, and set out into the Bay of Hercules. At approximately 9:45, the Constitution dropped anchor in the Bay, and the Prince’s yacht moved forward to meet it. As Grace’s party waited on deck, they could hear bands on the shore and on nearby boats playing American tunes and every window in Monte Carlo appeared to be open and filled with people. At that moment, a seaplane belonging to Aristotle Onassis flew over the harbor, dropping thousands of red and white carnations, the colors of Monaco, on the ships and crowds below. A gangway was extended between the two ships, and the Prince stepped forward to meet his fiancée. The whole country of Monaco held its breath… and was terribly disappointed when they actually saw Grace. For her arrival, she had chosen a navy blue coatdress and a broad-brimmed white hat. It was beautiful, but it prevented the crowds from seeing her face. The Prince, however, seemed overwhelmed by her appearance. After clasping her hand warmly and taking a moment to wave at the people both on boats and ashore, the Deo Juvante turned toward Monaco.

The Trousseau

Grace began shopping for her trousseau at Neiman Marcus in Dallas. The exclusive store made suits, several gowns, numerous street dresses, and an entire wardrobe of sports clothes especially for her.

Her shopping continued in Los Angeles where she purchased negligees, nightgowns, and other lingerie items in pink, peach, and black. Other items such as stockings were purchased in New York, in addition to a number of everyday dresses and shoes. “Not too high in the heel,” the media noted of Grace’s new shoes, probably because she and Rainier were close in height. While in New York, Grace had many elegant hats made by prominent millinery designer, Mr. John. Last on the list were sable, mink and leopard skin coats.

When Grace Kelly left America for Monaco, she had four enormous steamer trunks and fifty-six other pieces of luggage holding not only her beautiful new clothes but a few well-worn sweatshirts and pairs of jeans, too.

The Wedding Attendants

For the civil ceremony that took place on April 18, 1956, Grace and Rainier had five official witnesses. Grace’s sister Peggy and Rainier’s sister, Princess Antoinette, acted as her witnesses, and Rainier had his cousin Count Charles de Polignac, his good friend Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Marie Ardant, and Grace’s brother Kell.

For the religious ceremony on April 19, 1956, Grace asked six American friends and one of her sisters to attend her. Grace’s sister, Margaret (Peggy) Kelly Davis, was her matron of honor. The bridesmaids included Bettina Thompson Gray and Sally Parrish Richardson, with whom Grace had attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Maree Frisby Pamp, who had known Grace since high school; Carolyn Scott Reybold, who had lived in the same residence hotel with Grace as they began their acting careers in New York; Rita Gam Lumet, another young actress from New York; and Judith Balaban Kanter who was, at that time, married to Grace’s agent, Jay.

The Prince had also asked his cousin, Count Charles de Polignac, Lieutenant Colonel Ardant, and John (Kell) Kelly to stand for him at the religious ceremony. In addition to these men, he had four spiritual advisors. One of them, Father Tucker, a priest from the United States, acted as “stage director” for Grace’s non-Catholic attendants. It was he who told them when to stand, to sit, and to kneel during the course of the ceremony and wedding Mass.

There were also four flower girls, Peggy’s daughters Meg and Mary Lee, and Princess Antoinette’s daughters Christine and Elisabeth, and two pages, Rainier’s cousin Sebastian Von Furstenberg, and Antoinette’s son, Christian.

The Wedding Attire

Civil Ceremony Attire

For the civil ceremony, Grace wore a two-piece dress of light pink taffeta overlaid with champagne lace. She accessorized the dress with matching Cuban heeled shoes, a pleated chiffon turban adorned with flowers, and white gloves. The Prince wore a morning coat, gray trousers, white waistcoat, and gray silk tie. The gentlemen witnesses wore dark suits, and the ladies wore tea-length dresses and hats.

Grace’s wedding gown for the religious ceremony was a gift from MGM. It was created by Helen Rose, MGM’s costume designer and personal friend of Grace. The nearly 320 yards of lace used for the bodice and train was antique and had been purchased from a museum for an estimated $2,500. In addition, Ms. Rose used 25 yards of silk peau de soie, 25 yards of silk taffeta, and approximately 100 yards of silk tulle. The gown had a high, stiffened lace collar with a close-fitting bodice and arms. It buttoned down to a silk cummerbund and then descended in a perfect bell shape to the floor. The back of the gown was a marvel, the silk skirt dividing in such a way that the antique lace and tulle seemed to flow from the waist into a long, graceful train. The three petticoats beneath were so well made that the designer admitted they could have been worn separately as evening dresses. Each was decorated with tiny blue bows, “something blue”. The bodice and Grace’s lace Juliet cap were re-embroidered with seed pearls, as were her shoes. Ninety yards of tulle tied with bows of taffeta and lace constituted her veil.

Rainier wore a dress uniform he had designed himself, which included a black tunic with gold leaves on the cuffs, sky blue trousers with a gold stripe down the side, and a dark blue tricorn hat with a white ostrich plume. The tunic was graced with medals representing the Prince’s links with Italian and French military history, and across his chest hung the red and white sash representing the Order of St. Charles.

The bridesmaids wore pale yellow organdy dresses which had been custom-made at Neiman Marcus, with yellow organdy hats and wrist-length white gloves. The pages were dressed in white suits with trousers banded at the knee, and the four flower girls wore mid-calf length dresses of white broderie anglaise from Neiman Marcus, short white socks, and white shoes from J.C. Penney.

The Wedding Guests

Given the diverse backgrounds of the bride and groom, the guest list for their wedding ceremonies was equally unusual. Representatives of dozens of nations and royal families were in attendance, including Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones representing the British royal family, Conrad Hilton who represented President Eisenhower, and Francois Mitterrand, then Minister of Justice, representing France. The Aga Khan, in his wheelchair, made the trip to Monaco, accompanied by his wife and guards who protected them 24 hours a day.

Ex-King Farouk of Egypt and Randolph Churchill, personal friends of the Prince’s, were present. Churchill and the Duchess of Westminster were invited guests who also provided insights on the pageantry to the British press. Conversely, Hollywood columnist Dorothy Kilgallen was a reporter first and a guest second.

Aristotle Onassis, who had showered Monaco with flowers when Grace arrived, was also there for the religious ceremony accompanied by his wife, Tina. Barney Balaban, a founder of Paramount Pictures, and his wife made the trip from America. Their daughter, Judy Kanter, was one of Grace’s bridesmaids. Somerset Maugham, along with other luminaries, boarded small buses for the trip to the church since parking was unavailable. Monseigneur Paul Marella, the Apostolic Nuncio of Paris, represented Pope Pius XII and carried blessings from the Pontiff.

Also included were Grace’s showbiz friends. Broadway producer Gant Gaither and actor Donald Buka made the trip with the Kelly family aboard the U.S.S. Constitution. Grace’s close friend from Hollywood, Rupert Allen, sat with Ava Gardner, whom Grace had befriended when they worked on “Mogambo”. Actress Gloria Swanson also attended along with MGM publicist Morgan Hudgins and Mr. and Mrs. David Niven.

The most prominent guest at both ceremonies was the world. MGM, in exchange for releasing Grace from her contract, was permitted to film both events for broadcast on television and the silver screen.

The Ceremony

Because of the intricacies of Monegasque law, Grace and Rainier were married twice, once in a civil ceremony and once in a religious ceremony. The civil ceremony took place on April 18, 1956, in the Throne Room of the palace. At eleven o’clock, Monsieur Marcel Portanier, President of the State Council of Monaco began the ceremony by asking Prince Rainier if he had permission to proceed. After Rainier answered, “Oui,” Monsieur Portanier read the Articles of the Civil Code detailing the rights and obligations of the pair, followed by the vows, and a list of the Prince’s 142 official titles. Once they were finished, they had to go through the entire 40-minute ceremony again for the MGM cameras present.

The religious ceremony took place the following day. At 10:30 a.m., Grace and her attendants arrived at the church which was filled with white lilacs and lilies of the valley. When Rainier arrived a few minutes later, the ceremony began. As with many weddings, there were a few small glitches. One page dropped Rainier’s ring, and the Prince struggled to put Grace’s ring on her finger. The Choir School of the Cathedral sang Bach’s “Uxor Tua” and Purcell’s “Alleluia”. After both Grace and Rainier had quietly answered “Yes” to the vows posed to them, Monseigneur Paul Marella, representative of Pope Pius XII, gave a blessing from the Pope and the ceremony was complete.

The Blessing from the Pope

The Reception

Since Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly had two wedding ceremonies, they also had two receptions. For the first reception, following the civil ceremony, the courtyard of Monaco’s pink palace was opened and approximately 3,000 Monegasques sipped champagne and ate cake along with the members of the wedding party and other family members.

The second wedding reception, following the religious ceremony, was much more elaborate and limited to the 600 guests who attended the service. The luncheon buffet included caviar, smoked salmon, shrimp, ham, salami, soup, cheese, jellied eggs, salmon with cucumber salad, cold lobster, and chicken, accompanied by champagne. Because seating space was limited, attendees had to juggle not only their plates and glasses, but also gloves, programs, hats, handbags, or anything else they had been carrying.

Grace and Rainier’s wedding cake was a culinary masterpiece. There were six tiers in all, making it taller than both the bride and groom. The first level was decorated with three-dimensional replicas of Monaco’s pink palace carved from sugar. Each of the other layers held scenes from Monaco’s history crafted gently into the sides, and between the fourth and fifth layers, the Monegasque crest was duplicated in red and white spun sugar. The top held two cherubs standing upon clouds of filigreed icing, with a replica of the crown of Monaco suspended above their heads.

As with so many royals, the Prince and Princess used Rainier’s ceremonial sword to cut the cake which was then packaged in white faille boxes decorated with white and gold rope and the intertwined initials “R” and “G”, tied with a golden cord, and distributed amongst the guests.

The Honeymoon

Leaving for the honeymoon

Following the religious ceremony on April 19, 1956, Grace and Rainier sailed into the sunset aboard the royal yacht, Deo Juvante. They did not get very far at first. Once the yacht had left the Bay of Hercules, Rainier and the crew gave in to Grace’s obvious illness and anchored the ship for the night to allow her a chance to adjust. Unfortunately, it proved to be a bit more than seasickness, and Grace spent the first week of her honeymoon with the flu. After that, the couple spent several weeks cruising the Riviera, the coast of Spain where they met and spent time with friends, and Corsica, where days were spent lounging on sun-drenched beaches.

Children

Rainier, Grace and their three children; Photo source: The Telegraph

Princess Caroline, Princess of Hanover (born 1957), married (1) Philippe Junot, no children, marriage annulled (2) Stefano Casiraghi, had two sons and one daughter (3) Prince Ernst August of Hanover, had one daughter
Prince Albert II (born 1958), married Charlene Wittstock, had twin son and daughter, Princely Family of Monaco descends from this marriage; Albert also has one illegitimate daughter and son
Princess Stéphanie (born 1965), married (1) Daniel Ducruet, had two children, divorced (2) Adans Lopez Peres, no children, divorced; Stephanie has one illegitimate daughter

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Marie Juliette Louvet, mistress of Prince Louis II of Monaco, mother of Princess Charlotte

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2015

Credit – https://alchetron.com/Marie-Juliette-Louvet

Marie Juliette Louvet was the mistress of the future Prince Louis II of Monaco, and the mother of his only child, Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois. Therefore, she is the grandmother of Prince Rainier III, and the great-grandmother of Prince Albert II.

Marie Juliett was born on May 9, 1867, in Pierreval, France, to Jacques Louvet and Joséphine Piedefer. At the age of 17, she married a Parisian photographer, Achille Delmaet, with whom she already had a son, Georges. The couple later had a daughter Marguerite before divorcing in 1893.

It is believed that Marie Juliette and Prince Louis met while she was working as a hostess in a cabaret in Paris, France. The following year, she was working as a seamstress in a military barracks in Constantine, Algeria, where Prince Louis was also based. Later that year, on September 30, 1898, Marie Juliette gave birth to the couple’s daughter Charlotte. While Louis’ father, Prince Albert I, would not permit the couple to marry, their daughter Charlotte was later recognized as a member of the Monegasque Princely Family, and in 1919, was formally adopted by Prince Louis, becoming Princess Charlotte of Monaco, and Duchess of Valentinois. She would also later become heir to the Monegasque throne following her father’s accession in 1922, later relinquishing her succession rights in favor of her son, the future Prince Rainier III.

Marie Juliette Louvet lived the rest of her life in Paris, where she died on September 24, 1930.

Ghislaine Dommanget, Princess of Monaco

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2015

Ghislaine Dommanget, Princess of Monaco; Credit – www.findagrave.com

Princess Ghislaine of Monaco was the wife of Prince Louis II of Monaco and the step-grandmother of Prince Rainier III of Monaco. She was born Ghislaine Marie Françoise Dommanget in Reims, France, on October 13, 1900, to Robert Joseph Dommanget and Marie Louise Meunier.

From an early age, she was drawn to the stage and became an actress, working at the famed Comédie-Française in Paris. Before meeting Prince Louis, she was married twice – to Paul Diey and André Brulé – and had one son, Jean Gabriel Brulé, born in 1934.

In 1942, she met Prince Louis while on a tour of Monaco, and he later wrote that he knew instantly upon meeting that she would one day be his wife. The couple was married on July 24, 1946, in a civil ceremony (with a religious service held three days later), and she became The Princess of Monaco. Ghislaine was nearly 46 years old, while her husband was more than 30 years older. While Prince Louis was very much in love with Ghislaine, the rest of the Monegasque princely family questioned her motives and viewed her as an opportunist and golddigger. Sadly, Prince Louis died less than three years later, in May 1949, and was succeeded by his grandson Prince Rainier III. In his will, Louis had left half of his estate to Ghislaine, but Rainier and his sister Antoinette contested this, and the will was overturned. Ghislaine only received her jewelry and other gifts and retained a suite of rooms at The Prince’s Palace. She also received a small pension from the Monegasque government, later stopped by Prince Rainier.

The Dowager Princess returned to Paris, only occasionally returning to Monaco. In 1956, she attended the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly. Despite a strained relationship with her step-grandson, Ghislaine developed and maintained a close friendship with Grace, who made efforts to include Ghislaine as part of the family. Later, Ghislaine returned to the stage, even appearing in Monaco (with the condition that she would not use her title of Princess of Monaco). Billed simply as “Ghislaine”, she appeared in three plays in Monaco – Ms. April in 1958, L’Aiglon in 1959, and Pea Flower in 1960.

View image | gettyimages.com

Ghislaine then retired to Paris, where she wrote her memoirs – “Sois princesse” … dit-il (“Be Princess”… he said), which she dedicated to Princess Grace. In her later years, she only made two formal appearances in Monaco. In 1974, she attended the celebrations for Prince Rainier’s Silver Jubilee, and her last appearance was at the funeral of Princess Grace in 1982. Ghislaine, Dowager Princess of Monaco died in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, on April 30, 1991. She is buried in the Passy Cemetery in Paris.

Grave of Ghislaine Dommanget, Princess of Monaco. source: Wikipedia

Principality of Monaco Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Prince Louis II of Monaco

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2015

Prince Louis II of Monaco – source: Wikipedia

Prince Louis II of Monaco (Louis Honoré Charles Antoine Grimaldi) was born July 12, 1870, in Baden-Baden, Grand Duchy of Baden, now in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He was the only child of Prince Albert I of Monaco and Lady Mary Victoria Hamilton, daughter of William Hamilton, 11th Duke of Hamilton and Princess Marie of Baden. Shortly after his birth, his mother left her husband and took Louis to the Grand Duchy of Baden where he was raised until the age of 11. Louis then returned to Monaco to prepare for his future royal role.

Louis attended the Saint-Cyr Military Academy in France and then joined the French Foreign Legion. He served for 10 years and was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honor. During this time, while serving in Algeria, Louis met Marie Juliette Louvet, a cabaret singer. The couple was deeply in love, but his father would not grant them permission to marry. A daughter was born in 1898:

Princess Charlotte of Monaco, Duchess of Valentinois (1898 – 1977), married Count Pierre de Polignac, had a daughter and a son who succeeded his grandfather as Prince Rainer III

Because Louis was unmarried and without an heir, the Monegasque throne was likely to pass to his first cousin once removed Wilhelm, the Duke of Urach, a German nobleman who was the son of his father’s aunt Princess Florestine of Monaco. To avoid this, Louis’ father, Prince Albert I, had a law passed recognizing Charlotte as Louis’ heir and part of the sovereign family. However, this law was later ruled invalid under earlier statutes. So, in October 1918, another law was passed allowing for the adoption of an heir with succession rights. On May 16, 1919, Louis legally adopted Charlotte, giving her the Grimaldi surname. Her grandfather created her HSH Princess Charlotte of Monaco and Duchess of Valentinois. Upon Louis’ accession in 1922, Charlotte became the Hereditary Princess of Monaco.

During World War I, Louis again served with the French Army and eventually reached the rank of Brigadier General. Recognized for his outstanding efforts, he was elevated to Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor. His military career ended when he ascended to the Monegasque throne upon his father’s death on June 27, 1922. Some of his contributions during his reign were the establishment of the Monaco Football Club and the Grand Prix of Monaco which was first held in the principality in 1929. In 1931, he oversaw the establishment of the Ballet de l’Opéra à Monte-Carlo and the construction of the Stade Prince Louis II, a large football stadium in the center of the city. He was also a keen collector of items related to Napoleon, which later formed the basis for the Napoleon Museum, housed at the Prince’s Palace for many years.

Following World War II, during which the principality had been occupied by both the Italians and Germans before liberation by the Allies, Prince Louis began spending most of his time in Paris and greatly ignored the principality. In 1944, his daughter Charlotte ceded her rights to the throne in favor of her son Rainier, who would eventually succeed his grandfather. In June 1946, Prince Louis married the French film star Ghislaine Dommanget. The couple lived primarily at the Château de Marchais, their estate outside of Paris.

On May 9, 1949, Prince Louis II died at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco. He is buried at the Cathedral of Monaco.

Grave of Louis II, Prince of Monaco; www.findagrave.com

Principality of Monaco Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Alice Heine, Princess of Monaco

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2015

Alice Heine, Princess of Monaco

Alice Heine, Princess of Monaco, was the second wife of Prince Albert I of Monaco, and the first American woman ever to marry a reigning European sovereign.

She was born Mary Alice Heine on February 10, 1858, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Michel Heine and Amélie Marie Céleste Miltenberger, and had two younger brothers. Her father, a French banker and businessman, came from a prominent German Jewish banking family and was a cousin of German poet Heinrich Heine. Michel and his brother had established themselves as bankers in the United States.

In 1874, the family returned to France following the American Civil War and quickly established themselves amongst Parisian society. The following year, Alice married Marie Odet Richard Armand de La Chapelle de Saint-Jean de Jumilhac, 7th Duke of Richelieu. Jewish by birth, Alice had converted to Roman Catholicism before the marriage. The couple went on to have two children:

Marie Odet Jean Armand de La Chapelle de Saint-Jean de Jumilhac, 8th Duke of Richelieu (1875-1952)
Odile Chapelle de Jumilhac, later Princess of La Rochefoucauld by marriage (1879-1974)

In June 1880, the Duke of Richelieu died while on a trip to Athens, Greece. Widowed at just 22 years old, Alice became a very wealthy woman and soon established herself as one of the leading hostesses in European society. Several years later, while on the island of Madeira in Portugal, Alice met the future Prince Albert I of Monaco. From all accounts, the couple was immediately drawn to each other. Both had been married before and had children, and their personalities complemented each other. However, Albert’s father, Prince Charles III, did not approve of the match, and would not permit them to marry.

After four years, Prince Charles III died and Albert ascended to the Monegasque throne. Just seven weeks later, Alice and Albert married on October 30, 1889. Alice brought an extensive collection of jewels and a massive dowry of six million dollars.

Albert II, Prince of Monaco; Credit – Wikipedia

Hugely welcomed by the people of Monaco, Alice quickly became instrumental in the principality’s development. Her advanced business sense and her large dowry helped restore the nation’s financial stability. Alice then set out to turn Monaco into more than just a small principality dominated by its casino. An avid supporter of the arts, Alice brought the theater, opera, and ballet to Monaco, and is often credited with turning Monaco into one of the cultural hotspots in Europe.

While her husband supported her efforts in the arts, Alice never fully supported or understood Albert’s love of the sea and oceanography. Their mutual lack of support drove the couple apart, and Alice had an affair with the composer Isidore de Lara. Despite his own affairs, Prince Albert was devastated by his wife’s infidelity, but the couple continued to put on the facade of a happy marriage. However, it came crashing down in 1901. On the opening night of the opera, Prince Albert publicly accused Alice of her affair with the composer, in front of the entire opera hall, going as far as slapping her across the face. Humiliated, Alice left the opera immediately and left Monaco the next morning. Her husband quickly banned her from ever returning to Monaco, and made every effort to strip her from Monaco’s history. The couple was granted a legal separation in 1902 but never divorced.

Alice settled at Claridge’s in London, England where she established herself in the upper echelons of British society, entertaining extensively and continuing to patronize the arts. While in London, she became a close friend of Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.

Several years after her estranged husband’s death, Alice, now the Dowager Princess of Monaco, died in Paris, France on December 22, 1925, at the age of 67. She is buried at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France.

Grave of Alice Heine, Princess of Monaco; Credit – www.findagrave.com

The Prince’s Palace, Monaco

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2015

source: Wikipedia, Hans1967

The Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Located atop “Le Rocher” (the rock) in Monaco-ville, The Prince’s Palace is the home of The Sovereign Prince of Monaco and his family, as well as the seat of the Monegasque monarchy. It has been home to the Grimaldi family for over 700 years.

The Palace began as a Genoese fortress built in 1191. In 1297, Francois Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, managed to gain entrance and took control of the fortress. Thus began a long history of the Grimaldi family, who eventually became Lords, and then Princes, of Monaco.

Over the next 650 years, the palace transformed through the addition of buildings and wings, becoming more of a place, and less of a fortress. Much of this took place during the reign of Honore I (1523-1581), who built much of the existing palace. Honore II, the first Prince of Monaco (1604-1662), added the eastern wing which overlooks the Palace Square and extended the State Apartments, as well as building the beautiful staircase in the courtyard. He also began the extensive collection of art and tapestries which adorn the palace.

By the time of the accession of Prince Rainier III in 1949, the palace was in need of major repair and restoration. Rainier undertook the massive project, and along with his wife, Princess Grace, turned the palace into the royal showplace that we know today. In addition to overhauling all of the state and official rooms, he also rebuilt the formerly demolished southern wing which houses the private apartments.

Religious wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in the palace courtyard, July 2011. source: The Daily Mail

The palace today is the working home of the Prince and Princess and is where all official ceremonies and functions take place. In addition, the people of Monaco are often invited to the palace on special occasions. Each year, the annual children’s Christmas party is held in the palace courtyard, as well as concerts of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. The palace courtyard was also the site of the religious wedding ceremony of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in 2011.

On the southern side of the courtyard is the magnificent double-revolution staircase, inspired by the staircase at the Palace of Fontainebleau in France. At the top of the Staircase is the Hercule Gallery which runs the length of the courtyard, and is adorned with frescoes of mythological figures, from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The State Rooms, located in the southern wing, begin with the Hall of Mirrors, which is used for visiting royalty and Heads of State. Inspired by the Mirror Gallery at Versailles, the room’s mirrors give the impression of a much larger space.

The Red Room, adorned with red silk brocade, is decorated in the Louis XV style and leads to the York Room. The York Room is a state bedchamber that gets its name from Prince Edward, The Duke of York and Albany (younger brother of King George III of the United Kingdom). The Duke was aboard a ship bound for Genoa when he fell ill in the summer of 1767. The ship took port in Monaco and the Duke was brought to the palace, where he died in this room on September 17, 1767. The York Room contains the marble mosaic table which is used to sign all official documents by the Sovereign Prince.

The Officer’s Room is used by court officials to greet guests before an audience with the Prince. It adjoins the Blue Room, adorned with blue silk brocade, which is used for official receptions.

The Throne Room, in preparation for the civil marriage ceremony of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, July 2011. source: The Daily Mail

The Throne Room has been the site of all state ceremonies since the 16th century. The throne sits on a dais beneath a red silk canopy, surmounted by a gilt throne. The frescoes in the room depict the surrender of Alexander the Great. The Throne Room was the site of the civil marriage ceremony of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in July 2011. The photo above shows the marble mosaic table which is normally kept in the York Room.

Other rooms include the Mazarin Room, the Louis XII bedchamber and the State Hall, which connects the eastern and southern wings of the palace and leads to the dining room and the private apartments of the Princely family.

This link to the official site of the palace includes photos of several of the State Rooms.

Learn more about other Monegasque Royal Residences here!

Princess Grace of Monaco

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2015

Princess Grace of Monaco; Credi t- Wikipedia

Princess Grace of Monaco was the wife of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and mother of Prince Albert II of Monaco. She was born Grace Patricia Kelly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 12, 1929. She was the third of four children of John B. Kelly Sr., an American Olympic gold medalist in rowing, and Margaret Majer, the first coach of women’s teams at the University of Pennsylvania. Her siblings were Margaret (“Peggy”), John B. Jr, and Elizabeth (“Lizanne”). Two of her paternal uncles – Walter Kelly and George Kelly – had been vaudeville actors. George went on to become a prominent playwright, earning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1926. He would also be instrumental in Grace’s future career.

Grace was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and attended Ravenhill Academy. She later enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City (thanks to a little help from her uncle George). During this time, Grace worked as a model, earning enough to pay her own tuition. She made her Broadway debut in 1949 in The Father and was later cast in a television version of Sinclair Lewis’ Bethel Merriday. Appearing in over 60 television productions, Grace was soon noticed and began her film career. Her first film was Fourteen Hours in 1951, in a very small role. However, while visiting the set, Gary Cooper took notice of Grace.

The following year, she was offered the role of Amy Fowler, co-starring with Cooper in High Noon. 1953 brought the film Mogambo which earned Kelly her first Academy Award nomination. 1954 saw Grace appearing in five major films – Dial M For Murder, Rear Window, The Country Girl, Green Fire, and The Bridges at Toko-Ri. Grace went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1954, for her role in The Country Girl. In 1955, she took the last of her roles with Alfred Hitchcock, starring in To Catch A Thief with Cary Grant, and her last two movies were released in 1956 – The Swan (released on Grace and Rainier’s wedding day), and High Society (released several months later).

View image | gettyimages.com

In 1955, Grace attended the Cannes Film Festival and was introduced to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. A relationship soon developed, in and December of that year, Rainier visited Grace and her family in Philadelphia. The couple’s engagement was announced in January 1956. Grace and her family sailed to Monaco aboard the SS Constitution, arriving on April 12th. The couple was married in a civil ceremony held in the Throne Room at the Palace on April 18, 1956. The following day, a large religious ceremony was held at the Cathedral of Monaco. As a condition to being released from her contract with MGM, Grace had allowed the studio to film the two ceremonies. The Wedding of Monaco was later screened around the world. Following the religious ceremony, the couple then drove to the Sainte-Dévote Chapel, where the following tradition, Grace left her bridal bouquet in tribute to the patron saint of Monaco. After a seven-week honeymoon cruising the Mediterranean on Rainier’s yacht, the couple settled back into the Palace and soon began their family. Three children would be born:

Princess Caroline, Princess of Hanover (born 1957), married (1) Philippe Junot, no children, marriage annulled (2) Stefano Casiraghi, had two sons and one daughter (3) Prince Ernst August of Hanover, had one daughter
Prince Albert II (born 1958), married Charlene Wittstock, had twin son and daughter; Albert had one illegitimate son and one illegitimate daughter
Princess Stéphanie (born 1965), married (1) Daniel Ducruet, had two children, divorced (2) Adans Lopez Peres, no children, divorced; Stephanie has one illegitimate daughter

Having given up her acting career, Princess Grace threw herself into her new role as Princess of Monaco. She learned the language in just a few months and quickly became much loved by the Monegasque people. A huge fan of AS Monaco, she designed a new logo for their uniforms, which was used until 2013. She also began her extensive philanthropic work. In 1963, she founded the World Association of Children’s Friends (AMADE Mondiale), and the following year established The Princess Grace Foundation. Her interest and support of the arts continued, with the establishment of the Princess Grace Ballet Academy. She also served as President of the Monaco Red Cross until her death.

In addition to her work with various organizations, Grace was instrumental in helping to bring about many of her husband’s advancements in the small principality. Her “star power” brought new attention to Monaco, and Rainier often credited his wife for helping to turn the once-small gambling resort into the thriving country it has become.

Through the years, Grace continued to miss acting and had several opportunities to return to the screen. In 1962, Hitchcock approached her to star in his new movie, Marnie. With Rainier’s full support, she agreed to take on the role. However, the Monegasque people were against the idea of their Princess acting in a film, and Grace decided to decline the offer. Another offer would come in 1970, but this time her husband was adamantly against the idea. Needing a creative outlet of her own, Princess Grace later began giving poetry readings and even narrated several documentaries. This allowed her to enjoy some of her former life, and also gave her an opportunity to raise funds for her foundation and other charities. She also established Monaco’s Garden Club, indulging in another of her lifetime interests.

Despite all of her other interests, Grace felt that her first and most important role was being a mother to her children. Fiercely protective of them, she oversaw their education and did everything possible to ensure they were raised as normally as possible. Perhaps a meddling mother at times, she also allowed them to make their own decisions… and mistakes. To this day, all three of the couple’s children work tirelessly to ensure that their mother’s legacy continues – through her charitable organizations as well as exhibits around the world about Grace’s life.

View image | gettyimages.com

Sadly, that life would come to a tragic end. On September 13, 1982, while driving back to Monaco from their home in France, Princess Grace suffered a stroke. The car veered off the road, and both Grace and Princess Stephanie were severely injured. Flown back to the hospital in Monaco, Grace never regained consciousness, having suffered major internal injuries. The following day, on September 14th, at 10:55 pm, Princess Grace of Monaco passed away. Her funeral was held several days later at the Cathedral of Monaco attended by many royal representatives from around the world, as well as many of Grace’s old friends from Hollywood. Following the funeral, she was buried at the Cathedral of Monaco.

After Grace’s tragic death, Prince Rainier named Princess Caroline the new president of the Princess Grace Foundation. Caroline also saw that many of her mother’s projects were finished. This included the Spring Arts Festival which began in 1984 and the formal establishment of the Monte Carlo Ballet in 1985. Caroline continues to this day to spearhead many of her mother’s charities and organizations.

Grave of Princess Grace of Monaco, Cathedral of Monaco. photo: Wikipedia

Principality of Monaco Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Prince Rainier III of Monaco

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2015

Prince Rainier III of Monaco.photo: Wikipedia

Prince Rainier III of Monaco was Sovereign Prince from 1949 until his death in 2005. He was born Prince Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi on May 31, 1923, at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco. He was the second child, and only son, of Princess Charlotte of Monaco, illegitimate and adopted daughter of Prince Louis II of Monaco, and Count Pierre de Polignac.

Rainier had an older sister:

Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy (1920 – 2011), married (1) Alexandre-Athenase Noghès, had three children who were born before marriage but were later legitimized, divorced (2) Dr. Jean-Charles Rey, no children, divorced (2) John Gilpin who died six weeks after the marriage

Rainier’s parents separated soon after his birth, and he and his sister were caught in the middle of the fights between them. He was sent to school in England, attending Summerfields, in St Leonards-on-Sea, and the Stowe School, in Buckinghamshire, England. He then attended the Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland and graduated from the University of Montpellier, in France, in 1943. He later studied at the Paris Institute of Political Studies.

In May 1944, he became the heir-presumptive to his grandfather, Prince Louis II, following his mother’s renunciation of her succession rights in his favor. Later that year, he joined the French Free Army and saw combat in Alsace. He was later awarded the French War Cross and made a member of the French Legion of Honor. On May 9, 1949, Rainier ascended to the throne of Monaco as Prince Rainier III, upon the death of his grandfather.

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In January 1956, Rainier announced his engagement to American film star, Grace Kelly. The two first met at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955 and soon began a relationship. In December of that year, Rainier came to the United States to visit Grace and her family, and it was then that he proposed. The couple married on April 18, 1956, in a civil ceremony held in the Throne Room at the Palace. A religious ceremony was held the following day at the Cathedral of Monaco. Following a honeymoon – seven weeks spent cruising the Mediterranean on Rainier’s yacht – the couple settled at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco.

Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly

Rainier and Grace had three children:

Princess Caroline, Princess of Hanover (born 1957), married (1) Philippe Junot, no children, marriage annulled (2) Stefano Casiraghi, had two sons and one daughter (3) Prince Ernst August of Hanover, had one daughter
Prince Albert II (born 1958), married Charlene Wittstock, had a twin son and daughter; Albert had one illegitimate son and one illegitimate daughter
Princess Stéphanie (born 1965), married (1) Daniel Ducruet, had two children, divorced (2) Adans Lopez Peres, no children, divorced; Stephanie has one illegitimate daughter

photo: Wikipedia

Upon becoming Sovereign Prince, Rainier began working to change the economic landscape of the small nation. Best known for its casino, Monaco’s primary source of revenue – over 95% – was from gambling. And despite that, the country’s coffers were nearly empty. Rainier began promoting Monaco as a tourist attraction, and a place to invest in real estate development, and perhaps most famously, a tax haven. With the casino and majority of resorts owned by the Société des Bains de Mer, a power struggle soon began between Rainier (a majority owner of the Society) and Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Onassis had established offices for his shipping firm in Monte Carlo, and soon gained majority control of the Society, planning to turn Monaco into strictly a gambling resort. Fortunately, Rainier was eventually able to take full control of the Society in the 1960s, and his vision was able to proceed.

And proceed it did! Known as the Builder Prince, Rainier oversaw the expansion of Monaco by reclaiming land from the sea. In 1958, 54,000 square meters was reclaimed to expand the Larvotto district, and in 1965, work began on the new Fontvieille ward, this time reclaiming over 220,000 square meters. In 1962, Rainier put forth a new Constitution of Monaco, which reaffirmed Monaco’s sovereignty and independence and significantly reduced the powers of the Sovereign. A more democratic system of government was established (although Monaco’s Sovereign still retains much more power than most of his contemporaries in Europe).

View image | gettyimages.com

On September 13, 1982, while driving back to Monaco from their home in France, Princess Grace suffered a stroke. She and Princess Stéphanie, who was in the car with her, were transported to the hospital in Monaco. However, Grace’s injuries were very severe, and she passed away the following evening after Prince Rainier had to make the decision to remove her from life support. Rainier was devastated by his wife’s death and seemed to have aged drastically in just days.

Despite his grief, Rainier continued with his vision for Monaco, as well as maintaining, and honoring his late wife’s memory. The Princess Grace Rose Garden was opened in 1984 in Fontvieille, and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA was established to continue the works of Princess Grace in the arts. The USA Foundation is a branch of the original Princess Grace Foundation founded by Rainier and Grace in 1964 in Monaco.

By the turn of the century, Rainier’s health was declining. In January 2005, he made one of his last public appearances, at the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo. On April 6, 2005, after several weeks in the hospital, Prince Rainier III passed away at 81 years old. He was succeeded by his son, Prince Albert II, who had been serving as Regent since the prior week. His funeral was held on April 15, 2005, at the Cathedral of Monaco where he was then buried beside his late wife, Princess Grace.

photo: Wikipedia

Principality of Monaco Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Princess Stephanie of Monaco

#463819219 / gettyimages.com

Princess Stephanie of Monaco (Stephanie Marie Elisabeth) was born on February 1, 1965, at the Prince’s Palace in Monte Carlo. Monaco. She is the youngest child of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and Academy Award-winning American actress Grace Kelly.

Stephanie was christened on March 13, 1965, at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco. Her godparents were:

John B. Kelly Jr., her maternal uncle
Baroness Elisabeth-Anne de Massy, her paternal first cousin

Princess Stephanie has two older siblings:

Princess Caroline, Princess of Hanover (born 1957), married (1) Philippe Junot, no children, marriage annulled (2) Stefano Casiraghi, had two sons and one daughter (3) Prince Ernst August of Hanover, had one daughter
Prince Albert II (born 1958), married Charlene Wittstock, had twin son and daughter; Albert had one illegitimate son and one illegitimate daughter

Princess Stephanie on her mother’s lap with her family; Photo source: Daily Mail

Princess Stephanie began her education at Dames de Saint-Maur, a private Catholic school in Monaco. She continued her education at Collège Dupanloup in Paris, France and received her French Baccalaureate in 1982. Princess Stephanie is fluent in French, Monegasque, English, and Italian.

During her school years, Princess Stephanie studied classical dance and piano. While at school in Paris, she developed an interest in gymnastics and participated in the sport from 1974 to 1979. Princess Stephanie also enjoys swimming, water skiing, and downhill skiing.

On September 13, 1982, while returning home from their home in Rocagel, France, Stephanie and her mother had a car accident. Princess Grace died the next day and Stephanie was hospitalized with a hairline fracture of a neck vertebra. The official version was that Princess Grace suffered a stroke while driving, however, there were rumors that Stephanie had been the one driving. Stephanie was unable to attend her mother’s funeral because of her injury and for years refused to speak about the accident. In 1989, she gave an interview in which she denied that she had been driving the car.

Princess Stephanie and Prince Albert Grieving

Princess Stephanie of Monaco, wearing a neck-brace, leaves St. Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco with her brother Prince Albert, after attending a memorial mass for their mother on October 14, 1982. photo: Corbis

After she had recovered from her injuries, Princess Stephanie interned at the fashion house of Christian Dior with designer Marc Bohan from 1983 – 1984. In 1985 – 1987 Stephanie designed a collection of swimsuits and swimwear under the name ‘Pool Position”.

Princess Stephanie also had a singing career. In 1986, she released a single “Ouragan” in French and in English under the title “Irresistible.” The record sold more than 2 million copies and “Ouragan” is one of the best-selling singles in France of all time.

Princess Stephanie and Daniel Ducruet; Photo source: Hello

In 1992, Stephanie began a relationship with her bodyguard Daniel Ducruet.

The couple had two children:

Louis Robert Paul Ducruet, (born 1992), married Marie Hoa Chevallier, has one daughter
Pauline Grace Magui Ducruet, (born 1994)

Both children were included in the line of succession to the throne of Monaco after their parents married on July 1, 1995. The couple subsequently divorced on October 4, 1996.

On July 15, 1998, Princess Stephanie gave birth to her third child:

Camille Marie Kelly Gottlieb (link in French, born 1998)

Stephanie did not identify Camille’s father on the birth certificate but it is assumed that Jean Raymond Gottlieb, her former head of security, is the father. Camille is not in the line of succession because her parents never married.

Princess Stephanie with her three children at the wedding of her brother Prince Albert in 2011; Photo: Zimbio

In 2001, Stephanie began a relationship with Franco Knie, (link in German) a married elephant trainer. Along with her three children, she moved into Knie’s circus caravan and traveled with the Circus Knie. The relationship lasted only until 2002. On September 10, 2003, Stephanie married acrobat Adans Lopez Peres, a member of the Circus Knie but the marriage ended in divorce in November 2004.

Princess Stephanie and her second husband, Adans Lopez Peres; Photo source: usa.publiboda.com

Princess Stephanie is active in several organizations including:

Monaco Youth Center (President)
Princess Stephanie Activity Center (President)
Monte-Carlo Magic Grand Prix (President)
International Festival of Amateur Theatre (President)
Princess Grace Foundation – United States (Honorary Board Member)
International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo (Patron)
World Association of Children’s Friends (AMADE) (Founded by her mother)
Fight AIDS Monaco

Princess Stephanie (in the middle) with her sister and brother; Photo source: svenskdam.se

Princess Charlene of Monaco

Photo: Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Charlene Lynette Wittstock was born on January 25, 1978, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, the former name of the country of Zimbabwe. She is the daughter of Michael Wittstock (born 1946), a computer business operator, and Lynette Humberstone Wittstock (born 1959), a former competitive diver and swimming coach. Charlene has two brothers, Gareth (born 1979) and Sean (born 1983). The family moved to South Africa when Charlene was ten years old and she attended the Tom Newby School in Benoni, South Africa.

Charlene competed for the South African national swimming team. In the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, she competed in the 4 X 100-meter medley and the team came in fifth place. She planned to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, but could not due to a shoulder injury. Prince Albert was also an Olympian having competed in bobsledding in five Winter Olympics.

Charlene Wittstock swims for South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics; Photo source: Sydney Morning Herald

In June 2000 at the Marenostrum International Swimming Meet in Monaco, Charlene first met Prince Albert II of Monaco who presided over the meet. For the next five years, the couple periodically dated privately. Their relationship went public at the Opening Ceremonies for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. After the Olympics, the couple was seen together at a number of events including the Monaco Grand Prix, the Rose Ball held annually in Monaco, the Princess Grace Foundation Awards Gala, and most notably at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling in Stockholm on June 19, 2010. On June 23, 2010, four days after the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock became engaged. The civil ceremony was held on July 1, 2011, in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace. The religious ceremony took place on July 2, 2011, in the courtyard of the Palace.

Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock

Photo source: BBC/AP

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have two children, boy and girl twins. Even though their daughter was born first, their son is the heir apparent because Monaco’s succession is male-preference cognatic primogeniture.

Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Countess of Carladès (Gabriella Thérèse Marie), born December 10, 2014, at The Princess Grace Hospital Centre in Monaco
Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco, Marquis of Baux (Jacques Honoré Rainier), born December 10, 2014, at The Princess Grace Hospital Centre in Monaco

Embed from Getty Images

Princess Charlene is involved in the following organizations:

Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has the goal to transmit the sporting values that former Olympians Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco both have to the next generation of young athletes.
Ladies Lunch Monte-Carlo raises funds for Monegasque charity associations benefiting children and adolescents; Princess Charlene is the Honorary President
Nelson Mandela Foundation originally provided a base for Mandela’s charitable work and now continues his legacy.
asfAR is a foundation for AIDS research.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities; Princess Charlene is a Global Ambassador of Special Olympics.
The Giving Organisation is a group of South African charities that deals with issues ranging from AIDS among underprivileged children to the protection of the environment; Princess Charlene is Co-Patron with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
Monaco Against Autism; Princess Charlene is the Honorary President

Principality of Monaco Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Prince Rainier’s Family

Grace Kelly’s Family

Engagement and Ring

Grace’s Trip to Monaco

The Trousseau

The Wedding Attendants

The Wedding Attire

The Wedding Guests

The Ceremony

The Reception

The Honeymoon

Children

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