Monte Carlo, Monaco, April 19, 1956. St. Nicholas Cathedral in the principality’s small capital has been decked out to watch its sovereign, Prince Raniero, marry the Hollywood star of the moment: Grace Kelly, hereinafter Her Serene Highness Grace Patricia of Monaco. The wedding was a dream and the other 25 years the couple enjoyed each other’s company, up until the princess’s death, were peaceful too. But in those sixty-six years much has changed in Monaco, the world and the Grimaldis – the family’s surname – which have grown into a major dynasty with a strong presence in the press, be it from the heart, from entertainment, from sport, the environment or politics.
Glamor and parties have always surrounded the small principality of just 202 hectares. And after the pandemic, they return to recover those nights full of flashes and smiles that allow us to see the evolution of the family, its presence and its absence. On this July 8th, after only a two-year hiatus in its history, the Rose Dance is celebrated, one of the most important events in Monaco. It is chaired by Prince Albert, sovereign since 2005, always with him on the arm of his older sister Carolina. They are joined by other nephews, brothers and spouses for whom it becomes necessary to create a who’s who.
Alberto is the sovereign and he does not miss the gala that his mother, Princess Grace, created almost six decades ago and that is being celebrated in the Stars’ Room of the Sporting Club of Monte Carlo. His sister, whose official title is Carolina de Hannover (since she never divorced Ernesto), runs it jointly with him; Charlene, his wife, doesn’t usually come. The gala aims to raise money for the Princess Grace Foundation, which is earmarked for charity and, according to the official website, is attracting “numerous anonymous people eager to live this dream and the magic of Monaco”. . The theme of the party this year is the 1920s and the artistic direction is in the hands of shoemaker Christian Louboutin, who is opening an exhibition in Monaco these days.
Because that’s exactly what this little territory sells: dreams, magic, fantasy, longing for elegance and prince charming. Its members have managed to stay below the aristocracy – this is a minor royalty, as they are not kings but princes – of Europe and are watched across the continent, but they also continue to be stars in the United States, the home country from the late star. The Grimaldi, the Casiraghi, the Hannover… many of them will take part in this event after the forced halt to the pandemic, but who are they? The video helps to find the answers.