View source for Princess Caroline of Monaco

{{short description|Princess of Hanover and former Hereditary Princess of Monaco (born 1957)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Redirect|Caroline of Hanover}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name            = Caroline of Monaco
| image           = Princess Caroline.jpg
| caption         = Princess Caroline in 2009
| alt             = Caroline facing forwards speaking 
| title           = [[List of Hanoverian royal consorts|Princess of Hanover]]
| full name       = Caroline Louise Marguerite Grimaldi
| spouses         = {{plainlist|
*{{marriage|[[Philippe Junot]] |28 June 1978|9 October 1980|reason=divorced}}
*{{marriage|[[Stefano Casiraghi]]|29 December 1983|3 October 1990|end=died}}
*{{marriage|[[Prince Ernst August of Hanover (born 1954)|Ernst August, Prince of Hanover]] |23 January 1999}}}}
| issue           = {{plainlist|
*[[Andrea Casiraghi]]
*[[Charlotte Casiraghi]]
*[[Pierre Casiraghi]]
*[[Princess Alexandra of Hanover (born 1999)|Princess Alexandra of Hanover]]}}
| house           = [[House of Grimaldi|Grimaldi]] (by birth)<br>[[House of Hanover|Hanover]] (by marriage)<ref name="petit">{{cite book |last1=de Badts de Cugnac |first1=Chantal |last2=Coutant de Saisseval |first2=Guy |title=Le Petit Gotha |publisher=Nouvelle Imprimerie Laballery |location=Paris |year=2002 |pages=63 & 70 |language=fr |isbn=2-9507974-3-1}}</ref><ref name="ghda">{{cite book |title=Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser |volume=XVIII |chapter=Haus Hannover |publisher=C.A. Starke Verlag |year=2007 |pages=23 & 25 |isbn=978-3-7980-0841-0 |language=de}}</ref><ref name= "wives">{{cite book |last=Schulze |first=Hermann |title=Die Hausgesetze der regierenden deutschen Fürstenhäuser |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEVGAAAAcAAJ&q=Hausgesetze+Hannover+Gemahlinnen+Prinzen&pg=PA491 |volume=I |date=1862 |publisher=Verlag von Friedrich Mauke |location=Jena |language=de |pages=491 }}</ref>
| father          = [[Rainier III, Prince of Monaco]]
| mother          = [[Grace Kelly]]
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1957|01|23|df=yes}}
| birth_place  = [[Prince's Palace of Monaco|Prince's Palace]], [[Monaco]]
|}}

'''Princess Caroline of Monaco''' (born 23 January 1957) is [[List of Hanoverian royal consorts|Princess of Hanover]] by marriage to [[Prince Ernst August of Hanover (born 1954)|Prince Ernst August]]. As the eldest child of [[Rainier III, Prince of Monaco]], and [[Grace Kelly]], she is the elder sister of [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco]], and [[Princess Stéphanie of Monaco|Princess Stéphanie]].

She was [[Hereditary Princess of Monaco]] and [[heir presumptive]] to the [[Line of succession to the Monegasque throne|Monegasque throne]] from her birth in 1957 until her brother Albert was born the following year, and again from Albert's accession in 2005 until the birth of his twins, her niece [[Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès|Gabriella]] and nephew [[Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco|Jacques]], in 2014.

==Family and early life==
[[File:Prince Albert, Princess Caroline, Camille Gottlieb, Princess Stéphanie on Tendance TV.jpg|thumb|Left to right: [[Albert_II,_Prince_of_Monaco|Prince Albert]], Princess Caroline, [[Camille Gottlieb]], [[Princess Stéphanie of Monaco|Princess Stéphanie]] at tribute to Grace Kelly in 2018]]
Caroline was born on 23 January 1957 in the [[Prince's Palace of Monaco|Prince's Palace]], [[Monaco]]. She is the eldest child of [[Rainier III, Prince of Monaco]], and his wife, former American actress [[Grace Kelly]]. Christened Caroline Louise Marguerite, she belongs to the [[House of Grimaldi]]. She was the [[heir presumptive]] from her birth to 14 March 1958, when her brother [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Prince Albert]] was born. On 1 February 1965, her younger sister [[Princess Stéphanie of Monaco|Princess Stéphanie]] was born. Caroline is a legitimate patrilineal descendant of the [[Duke of Polignac|Dukes of Polignac]], and as such belongs to the historical [[French nobility]]. Through her mother, she is of Irish and German descent.<ref name="gracekelly1">{{cite news|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/05/grace-kelly-201005 |title=Grace Kelly's Forever Look |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |first=Laura |last=Jacobs |date=May 2010 |access-date =28 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Broutin |first1=Irene |last2=Kelley |first2=Parker |title=Her Way: The Extraordinary Life of Monaco's Princess Caroline |date=October 2023 |edition=Second |url=https://www.amazon.com/Her-Way-Extraordinary-Princess-Caroline-ebook/dp/B0CM6Y1J8W/ |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>

In an interview for ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' in April 1982, shortly before her death, Grace described Caroline and Stéphanie as "warm, bright, amusing, intelligent and capable girls. They're very much in tune with their era. Besides being good students, they are good athletes – excellent skiers and swimmers. Both can cook and sew and play the piano and ride a horse. But, above all, my children are good sports, conscious of their position and considerate of others. They are sympathetic to the problems and concerns in the world today."<ref name="people2">{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20081844,00.html |title=Aging Gracefully |date=5 April 1982 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |first=Fred |last=Hauptfuhrer}}</ref>

As a child, Caroline spent time at the home of her maternal grandparents, [[John B. Kelly, Sr.]] and Margaret Kelly (née, Majer), in [[Philadelphia]]. In addition to visiting her mother's family in the United States, she spent the summer of 1971 at Camp Oneka in the [[Pocono Mountains|Poconos]] at the age of 14. While there, unbeknownst to her parents, Caroline was protected by the [[United States Secret Service]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baker |first1=Sue Ann |title=Behind the Shades: A Female Secret Service Agent's True Story |date=2015 |publisher=BookBaby |isbn=9780996159517 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fMJWDQAAQBAJ&q=%22Caroline+Grimaldi%22&pg=PT12 |access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref>

Princess Grace died on 14 September 1982, the day after suffering a stroke while driving herself and Princess Stéphanie home to Monaco from a visit to [[France]], resulting in an accident in which both were injured.

===Education===
The princess received her French [[baccalauréat]] in 1974 with honours. She was also educated at [[St Mary's School Ascot]]. After a semester at [[Sciences Po]], Caroline continued her studies at the [[Sorbonne University]], where she received a diploma in [[philosophy]] and minors in [[psychology]] and [[biology]].<ref name="palais"/><ref name="stevenenglund">{{cite book |last1=Englund |first1=Steven |title=Grace of Monaco: An Interpretive Biography |date=1984 |publisher=Doubleday |location=New York |isbn=9780385188128 |edition=Hardcover }}</ref> She is fluent in [[French language|French]], [[English language|English]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[German language|German]] and [[Italian language|Italian]].<ref name="palais"/>

==Activities==
[[File:President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan with Princess Caroline and Prince Albert.jpg|thumb|left|Princess Caroline and Albert, then Hereditary Prince of Monaco, with [[Ronald Reagan|Ronald]] and [[Nancy Reagan]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], on 28 March 1983]]

In 1979, Princess Caroline was appointed by her parents as the president of the Monégasque Committee for the [[International Year of the Child]].<ref name="palais"/> Two years later, in 1981, Caroline founded ''Jeune J'écoute'' association.<ref name="herwaybook">{{cite book |last1=Kelley |first1=Parker |title=Her Way: The Extraordinary Life of Monaco's Princess Caroline |date=2021 |page=38 |edition=Second |url=https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09G15LC99 |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref> The association set up a 'youth hotline' where young people can talk about their problems on the telephone with qualified people trained in dealing problems young people faced.<ref name="palais"/> Other philanthropic organizations Caroline has been involved with include the [[World Association of Children's Friends|World Association of Children's Friends (AMADE Mondiale)]],<ref name="amade">{{cite news|url=http://www.palais.mc/monaco/palais-princier/english/h.r.h.-the-princess-of-hanover/news/h-r-h-the-princess-of-hanover-chairs-the-plenary.451.html |work=[[Prince's Palace of Monaco]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |date=26 April 2007 |title=H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover chairs the plenary assembly of AMADE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020042804/http://www.palais.mc/monaco/palais-princier/english/h.r.h.-the-princess-of-hanover/news/h-r-h-the-princess-of-hanover-chairs-the-plenary.451.html |archive-date=20 October 2011}}</ref> the [[Princess Grace Foundation]],<ref name="gracefoundation">{{cite news |url=http://www.palais.mc/monaco/palais-princier/english/h.r.h.-the-princess-of-hanover/news/28th-annual-princess-grace-awards-gala.1896.html |title=28th annual Princess Grace Awards gala |date=10 November 2010 |work=[[Prince's Palace of Monaco]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231003701/http://www.palais.mc/monaco/palais-princier/english/h.r.h.-the-princess-of-hanover/news/28th-annual-princess-grace-awards-gala.1896.html |archive-date=31 December 2011}}</ref> the [[Prince Pierre Foundation]],<ref name="princepierre">{{cite news|work=[[Prince's Palace of Monaco]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |url=http://www.palais.mc/monaco/palais-princier/english/h.r.h.-the-princess-of-hanover/news/the-prince-pierre-foundation.2353.html |date=4 October 2011 |title=The Prince Pierre Foundation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117053643/http://www.palais.mc/monaco/palais-princier/english/h.r.h.-the-princess-of-hanover/news/the-prince-pierre-foundation.2353.html |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> and [[UNICEF]].

Caroline is the Patron of Peter Le Marchant Trust, an organization that operates canal boat trips for ill and disabled people.<ref>{{cite web
	| url = https://www.peterlemarchanttrust.co.uk/our-team
	| title = Our Team
	| website = Peter Le Marchant Trust
	| access-date = 2023-11-29
}}</ref> Her other patronages include the [[International School of Paris]],<ref name="paris">{{cite news|url=http://www.palais.mc/monaco/palais-princier/english/h.r.h.-the-princess-of-hanover/news/international-school-of-paris.682.html |title=International School of Paris |work=[[Prince's Palace of Monaco]] |date=6 June 2003 |access-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020042503/http://www.palais.mc/monaco/palais-princier/english/h.r.h.-the-princess-of-hanover/news/international-school-of-paris.682.html |archive-date=20 October 2011}}</ref> [[Les Ballets de Monte Carlo]], which she also founded,<ref name="ballets">{{cite news |url=http://www.balletsdemontecarlo.com/ballets-de-monte-carlo/compagnie.php?id_menu=3 |title=La compagnie |work=[[Les Ballets de Monte Carlo]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524212449/http://www.balletsdemontecarlo.com/ballets-de-monte-carlo/compagnie.php?id_menu=3 |archive-date=24 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra]],<ref name="orchestra">{{cite news |access-date=28 March 2012 |language=fr |url=http://www.opmc.mc/index.php?s=or&p=historique |work=[[Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra]] |title=Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo – Historique |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018153812/http://www.opmc.mc/index.php?s=or&p=historique |archive-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> the [[Association des Guides et Scouts de Monaco]],<ref name="palais"/> the Monte Carlo Garden Club and [[The Spring Arts Festival]]. In 1992, she was appointed the president of the International Contemporary Art Prize.<ref name="palais"/>

Following her mother's death in 1982, Caroline served as [[de facto]] [[first lady]] of Monaco until her brother [[Wedding of Albert II, Prince of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock|married]] [[Charlene, Princess of Monaco|Charlene Wittstock]] in 2011.<ref name="biography">{{cite news |work=[[Biography.com]] |url=http://www.biography.com/people/princess-caroline-of-monaco-9542061 |title=Princess Caroline of Monaco |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303222712/http://www.biography.com/people/princess-caroline-of-monaco-9542061 |archive-date=3 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="hello1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/princess-caroline-of-monaco/ |title=Princess Caroline of Monaco |work=[[Hello (magazine)|Hello]] |access-date=28 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128122210/https://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/princess-caroline-of-monaco/|archive-date=28 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> She regularly attends important social events in Monaco related to the [[Monegasque Princely Family|Monégasque Princely Family]], such as the National Day celebrations,<ref name="hello4">{{cite news|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/201111216613/charlene-albert-first-national-day-princess/ |title=United and official: Charlene celebrates first National Day as princess |date=21 November 2003 |work=[[Hello (magazine)|Hello]] |access-date=9 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128122406/https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/201111216613/charlene-albert-first-national-day-princess/|archive-date=28 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> the annual Rose Ball,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tatler.com/gallery/a-visual-history-of-monacos-rose-ball|website=Tatler|title=A visual history of Monaco's Rose Ball|first=Rebecca|last=Cope|access-date=21 July 2021|date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128122525/https://www.tatler.com/gallery/a-visual-history-of-monacos-rose-ball|archive-date=28 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> the Red Cross Ball and the [[Formula One]] competition [[Monaco Grand Prix]].
Due to her commitment to philanthropy and arts, Caroline was named a [[UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador]] on 2 December 2003.<ref name="un">{{cite news|work=[[Hello (magazine)|Hello]] |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2003/11/27/princesscaroline/ |title=Princess Caroline becomes U.N. Goodwill Ambassador |date=27 November 2003 |access-date=28 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128122745/https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2003/11/27/princesscaroline/|archive-date=28 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[UNICEF]] honoured her with Children's Champion Award on 20 May 2006. The next year, she travelled to the [[Republic of South Africa]] to meet its former president [[Nelson Mandela]].<ref name="hellomandela">{{cite news |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities-news-in-pics/13-02-2007/ |title=Princess Caroline visits Nelson Mandela |date=13 February 2007 |work=[[Hello (magazine)|Hello]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025652/http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities-news-in-pics/13-02-2007/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December 2011, the World Association of Children's Friends honoured her for "tireless endeavours in continuing the organisation's legacy". Her personal friend and the [[Chanel]] head designer [[Karl Lagerfeld]] presented her the award.<ref name="hello3">{{cite news|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/201112146779/princess-caroline-karl-lagerfeld-award/ |title=Caring Caroline honoured for following in Princess Grace's footsteps |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=28 March 2012 |work=[[Hello (magazine)|Hello]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128123051/https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/201112146779/princess-caroline-karl-lagerfeld-award/|archive-date=28 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Caroline had also previously been given the Grand Cross of the [[Order of St. Charles]], and had been appointed as the Commander of the [[Order of Cultural Merit (Monaco)|Order of Cultural Merit]].<ref>{{cite web  | title       = N° 7729 du VENDREDI 11 NOVEMBRE 2005 * Ordonnance Souveraine n° 254 d…  | url       = http://www.legimonaco.mc/Dataweb/jourmon.nsf/100ab120e52ceb84c12568ce002f2909/d51bec2c4411b802c12570b60030c1b0!OpenDocument  | date       = 2013-07-03  | archive-url       = https://archive.today/20130703030430/http://www.legimonaco.mc/Dataweb/jourmon.nsf/100ab120e52ceb84c12568ce002f2909/d51bec2c4411b802c12570b60030c1b0!OpenDocument  | archive-date       = 3 July 2013  | access-date       = 2 September 2018  | url-status       = live  }}</ref>

==Personal and media life==
{{Monegasque Princely Family}}
Caroline's personal interests include riding, swimming and skiing.<ref name="palais">{{cite news |url=https://www.palais.mc/en/princely-family/h-r-h-the-princess-of-hanover/biography-1-8.html |work=[[Prince's Palace of Monaco]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |title=H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover |url-status=live|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128120512/https://www.palais.mc/en/princely-family/h-r-h-the-princess-of-hanover/biography-1-8.html}}</ref> Since her youth, she has been considered an international fashion icon and [[International Best Dressed List|one of the best dressed women in the world]].<ref name="style">{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20067476,00.html |date=28 February 1977 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |title=Here They Are Again, the World's Best-dressed Women—but Who Says So? and Why? |last=Wohlfert |first=Lee |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116215240/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20067476,00.html |archive-date=16 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="bestdressed">{{cite news |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/bestdressed/bestdressed_women |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |title=The International Hall of Fame: Women |date=7 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521011255/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/bestdressed/bestdressed_women |archive-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> In November 2011, an exhibition honouring Princess Caroline was opened at the [[Culture of Monaco|National Museum of Monaco]].<ref name="hola">{{cite news |url=http://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_monaco/2011110855427/carolina-monaco-exposicion-fotos/ |title=Camaleónica, atractiva, misteriosa… Una exposición muestra a Carolina de Mónaco a través del objetivo de grandes artistas |date=8 November 2012 |work=[[Hello (magazine)|¡Hola!]] |language=es |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209215215/http://www.hola.com/realeza/casa_monaco/2011110855427/carolina-monaco-exposicion-fotos |archive-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Caroline was romantically linked to many famous men, including [[Guillermo Vilas]]; [[Henri Giscard d'Estaing]], the son of former [[President of France]] [[Valéry Giscard d'Estaing]]; French singer [[Philippe Lavil]]; and [[Bobby Shriver]], nephew of former [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/princess-caroline-and-the-curse-of-the-house-of-grimaldi/0dfdf42c-35dc-4144-a40f-d38b860f45da|work=nine.com.au |access-date=January 28, 2022 |title=Princess Caroline and the 'Curse of the House of Grimaldi' |url-status=live|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128121558/https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/princess-caroline-and-the-curse-of-the-house-of-grimaldi/0dfdf42c-35dc-4144-a40f-d38b860f45da}}</ref> Following her divorce from [[Philippe Junot]], she was briefly engaged to Robertino Rossellini, the son of [[Roberto Rossellini]] and [[Ingrid Bergman]]. Between her second and third marriages, Caroline had a relationship with French actor [[Vincent Lindon]].<ref name="hello5">{{cite news |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/specials/monaco/pagina_5_2.html |title=Monaco Special: Princess Caroline |access-date=28 March 2012 |work=[[Hello (magazine)|Hello]] |date=April 2005}}</ref>

===First marriage===
Princess Caroline's first husband was [[Philippe Junot]] (born 19 April 1940), a [[Paris]]ian [[banker]]. They were [[civil marriage|married civilly]] in Monaco on 28 June 1978, and religiously on 29 June 1978.<ref>{{cite news|title='Iconic royal wedding gowns |url=http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/iconic-royal-wedding-gowns#slide-5|newspaper=Harpers Bazaar}}</ref> Their lavish wedding ceremony was attended by some 650 guests, including [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] stars [[Ava Gardner]], [[Cary Grant]] and [[Frank Sinatra]].<ref name="hello7">{{cite news |url=http://royalweddings.hellomagazine.com/prince-albert-monaco-charlene-wittstock/20110614708/princess-caroline-princess-stephanie-weddings-photo-gallery/ |title=The turbulent love life and marriages of Albert's sisters |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=28 March 2012 |work=[[Hello (magazine)|Hello]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830034242/http://royalweddings.hellomagazine.com/prince-albert-monaco-charlene-wittstock/20110614708/princess-caroline-princess-stephanie-weddings-photo-gallery/ |archive-date=30 August 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The couple divorced, childless, on 9 October 1980. In 1992, the  [[Catholic Church]] granted the princess an [[Declaration of nullity|annulment]].<ref name="taraborrelli">{{cite book |last1=Taraborrelli |first1=J. Randy |title=Once Upon a Time |date=2003 |publisher=Hachette |location=New York |isbn=9780759527904 |page=342 |edition=Kindle |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=izc50wQn9RoC&dq=%22On+June+21,+1992,+a+year+after+Stefano’s+death,+the+Tribunal+of+the+Holy+Rota,+the+ecclesiastical+court,+finally+granted+Caroline+the+annulment+of+her+first+marriage,+to+Philippe+Junot.+A+Vatican+spokesman+explained+that+the+Church+“recognizes+circumstances+in+which+the+vows+taken+by+the+couple+are+not+efficient,+and+so+the+marriage+does+not+exist+right+from+the+beginning,+whether+the+couple+are+aware+of+it+or+not.%22&pg=PT355 |access-date=27 October 2021 |language=English |quote=On June 21, 1992, a year after Stefano’s death, the Tribunal of the Holy Rota, the ecclesiastical court, finally granted Caroline the annulment of her first marriage, to Philippe Junot. A Vatican spokesman explained that the Church “recognizes circumstances in which the vows taken by the couple are not efficient, and so the marriage does not exist right from the beginning, whether the couple are aware of it or not.}}</ref>

===Second marriage===
Her second husband was [[Stefano Casiraghi]] (8 September 1960 – 3 October 1990), the sportsman heir to an Italian industrial fortune. They were married civilly in Monaco on 29 December 1983, and had three children:

* [[Andrea Casiraghi|Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi]] (born on 8 June 1984 at [[Princess Grace Hospital Centre]] in [[Monaco]]). He married [[Tatiana Santo Domingo]] in a civil ceremony on 31 August 2013, at the [[Prince's Palace of Monaco|Prince's Palace]] in [[Monaco-Ville]]. The couple have three children:
** Alexandre "Sasha" Andrea Stefano Casiraghi<ref name="T&C">{{cite web|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a19976617/tatiana-santo-domingo-andrea-casiraghi-monaco-royal-baby/ |title=Tatiana Santo Domingo and Andrea Casiraghi Welcome Their Third Child |date=23 April 2018 |publisher=Town & Country Magazine |access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref> (born on 21 March 2013 at [[Portland Hospital]] in [[London]]; entered the [[line of succession to the Monegasque throne]] when his parents married).
** India Casiraghi (born on 12 April 2015 in London).<ref name="hellomagazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/2015041324589/tatiana-santo-domingo-welcomes-child/ |title=Tatiana Santo Domingo and Andrea Casiraghi welcome baby – Hello Magazine |date=13 April 2015 |publisher=hellomagazine.com|access-date=15 September 2015}}</ref>
** Maximilian Rainier Casiraghi (born on 19 April 2018 in Monaco).<ref name="T&C"/>
* [[Charlotte Casiraghi|Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi]] (born on 3 August 1986 at Princess Grace Hospital Centre). Has a son with her former partner, the French actor and comedian [[Gad Elmaleh]], and a second son with her husband, the French producer [[Dimitri Rassam]]:<ref>{{cite web|title = Charlotte Casiraghi, Princess Grace's Granddaughter, Gives Birth|url = https://people.com/royals/charlotte-casiraghi-welcomes-baby/|date = 2018-11-15|archive-url = https://archive.today/20181115152428/https://people.com/royals/charlotte-casiraghi-welcomes-baby/|archive-date = 15 November 2018|access-date = 24 October 2018|url-status    = live}}</ref>
** Raphaël Elmaleh (born on 17 December 2013 at Princess Grace Hospital Centre).
** Balthazar  Rassam (born on 23 October 2018 at Princess Grace Hospital Centre).<ref>{{cite web|language=fr|title=Charlotte Casiraghi a accouché de son deuxième enfant |url=http://www.pointdevue.fr/familles-royales/monaco/charlotte-casiraghi-accouche-de-son-deuxieme_6957.html|publisher=Point de Vue|date=24 October 2018|access-date=15 April 2019}}</ref>
* [[Pierre Casiraghi|Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi]] (born on 5 September 1987 at Princess Grace Hospital Centre). He married [[Beatrice Borromeo]] in a civil ceremony on 25 July 2015, in the gardens of the Prince's Palace in Monaco-Ville. They have three children:
** Stefano Ercole Carlo Casiraghi (born on 28 February 2017 at Princess Grace Hospital Centre).
** Francesco Carlo Albert Casiraghi (born on 21 May 2018 at Princess Grace Hospital Centre).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/royals/monaco-pierre-casiraghi-beatrice-borromeo-welcome-son-francesco/|title=Monaco's Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo Welcome Son — and His Name Is So Classic|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|language=en|access-date=2019-05-29}}</ref>
** Bianca Caroline Marta Casiraghi (born on 4 October 2025 in Monaco).<ref>[https://people.com/pierre-casiraghi-beatrice-borromeo-welcome-third-baby-girl-meaningful-name-revealed-11829227 Royal Baby Joy! Monaco's Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo Welcome Baby Girl with a Very Special Name]</ref>

The two younger children are named for their maternal great-grandparents, [[Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois|Princess Charlotte]] and [[Prince Pierre, Duke of Valentinois|Prince Pierre]], while Andrea was named for a childhood friend of his father's. Stefano Casiraghi was killed in a speed-boating accident in 1990, aged 30 years.

Even though their parents had not married in the Church, as required under canon law, their marriage was convalidated by Pope [[John Paul II]] in February 1993, eight months after their mother's marriage to Junot had been annulled in June 1992.

===Third marriage===
{{Hanoverian Royal Family}}
Caroline's third and current husband is [[Prince Ernst August of Hanover (born 1954)|Prince Ernst August of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick]], head of the [[House of Hanover]], which lost the throne of the [[Kingdom of Hanover]] in 1866.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4426171.stm | title=Monaco royal taken seriously ill | work=[[BBC News]] | date=8 April 2005 | access-date=27 January 2013 | location=London}}</ref> From 1913 to 1918, his family ruled the sovereign [[Duchy of Brunswick]] (until the [[abolition of the monarchy]]).

The couple married in Monaco on 23 January 1999. Ernst August had previously divorced his first wife Chantal Hochuli, with whom he had sons [[Prince Ernst August of Hanover (born 1983)|Prince Ernst August]] and [[Prince Christian of Hanover (born 1985)|Prince Christian]], and who had been Caroline's friend.

The couple have one daughter together:
* [[Princess Alexandra of Hanover (born 1999)|Princess Alexandra Charlotte Ulrike Maryam Virginia of Hanover]] (born 20 July 1999 in [[Vöcklabruck]], [[Austria]])<ref>{{Cite book|last=Robinson|first=Jeffrey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DcyDBQAAQBAJ&dq=princess+alexandra+of+hanover+born+hospital+in+Austria&pg=PA283|title=Grace of Monaco: The True Story|date=2015-05-05|publisher=Hachette Books|isbn=978-1-60286-242-5|language=en}}</ref>

Her husband's title as Duke of Brunswick is honorific since the ruling family of that state was removed by the [[Weimar Republic]] in 1918, along with all royal and noble German ruling families, which were still allowed to retain their titles. Neither she nor her husband has royal rank in Germany, but Monaco recognizes the Hanoverians' former German royal titles, attributing to the couple the style of ''Royal Highness''. On 11 January 1999, shortly before Caroline and Ernst's wedding, his third cousin once removed (Queen Victoria was their common ancestor), Queen [[Elizabeth II|Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom]], issued this [[Order in Council]], "My Lords, I do hereby declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between His Royal Highness Prince Ernst August Albert of Hanover, Duke of [[Brunswick-Lüneburg|Brunswick-Luneburg]] and Her Serene Highness Princess Caroline Louise Marguerite of Monaco...". As a legitimate [[patrilineality|male-line]] descendant of George II, Ernst August was subject to the [[Royal Marriages Act 1772]] (repealed in 2015). Prior to the repeal of the Act, the [[Perth Agreement|revised form of which]] limits those who must gain permission to the first six people in the line of British succession, marrying without the Queen's [[Royal Assent]] would have meant their marriage would be [[void (law)|void]] in Britain, where Ernst August's family owned substantial property and he holds ([[multiple citizenship|dual]]) citizenship.<ref name="bbc"/>

Likewise, the Monégasque court officially notified France of Caroline's contemplated marriage to Prince Ernst August and received assurance that there was no objection, in compliance with Article 2 of the 1918 [[Franco-Monegasque Treaty|Franco-Monégasque Treaty]].<ref name="treaty">{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldica.org/topics/national/monaco.htm#1861 |title=Monaco: The Treaties of 1861 and 1918 |access-date=14 January 2009 |date=22 March 2006 |work=heraldica.org |first=François |last=Velde |language=fr}}</ref> Despite obtaining the official approval of the governments of France, Monaco and the United Kingdom, upon Caroline's marriage to Ernst August he forfeited his own place in Britain's [[order of succession]]. He is also subject to the [[Act of Settlement 1701]], which imposes that consequence upon British [[Dynasty#Dynasts|dynasts]] who marry Roman Catholics.<ref name="bbc"/>  The [[Succession to the Crown Act 2013|Succession to the Crown Act of 2013]] however removed that consequence of marrying a Roman Catholic, and would place him back in the order of succession.

In 2009, it was reported that Caroline had separated from Ernst August and returned to live in Monaco.<ref name="hello2">{{cite web
 |title       = Questions over Princess Caroline's marriage as Ernst of Hanover increasingly absent
 |url         = http://www.helloonline.com/royalty/200909101997/princess-caroline/ernst-august/hanover-marriage-split/
 |date        = 2013-01-25
 |archiveurl  = https://archive.today/20130125043554/http://www.helloonline.com/royalty/200909101997/princess-caroline/ernst-august/hanover-marriage-split/
 |archivedate = 25 January 2013
 |access-date = 29 July 2021
 |url-status  = live
}}</ref>

=== Privacy cases ===
Caroline has had a bad relationship with media and paparazzi since her youth, when she complained she "could not live the life of a normal student".<ref name="people3">{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20065600,00.html |title=Princess Pains |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=28 March 2012 |date=1 September 1975 |first=Fred |last=Hauptfuhrer |archive-date=16 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116215235/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20065600,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 June 2004, the Princess obtained a judgement from the [[European Court of Human Rights]] condemning Germany for non-respect of her right to private life under Article 8 of the [[European Convention on Human Rights]].<ref name="echr">{{cite news|url=http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?action=html&documentId=699729&portal=hbkm&source=externalbydocnumber&table=F69A27FD8FB86142BF01C1166DEA398649 |date=24 June 2004 |title=Case of Von Hannover v. Germany |access-date=28 March 2012 |work=[[European Court of Human Rights]]}}</ref>

Caroline invoked the judgment in combination with articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|Basic Law]] (human dignity and personal freedom, respectively) as well as § 22 of the German Art and Photography Copyright Act or ''KunstUrhG'' (no publication of personal images without permission) in a new domestic case, attempting to get the courts to prohibit publication of certain images of her in a private setting. The [[Bundesgerichtshof|Supreme Court]] accepted her claim with regard to two images, but did not prohibit publication of a third, stating that the image accompanied an article about a subject of public interest, which allows publication without permission per § 23 of the ''KunstUrhG''. Caroline appealed to the [[Federal Constitutional Court]], which affirmed the Supreme Court's judgement.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Borberg|first=Vibeke|date=2015|title=Mediernes ret til at offentliggøre billeder af offentligt kendte personer efter ''von Hannover nr. 2''|trans-title=The media's right to publish images of publicly known persons after ''von Hannover no. 2''|url=http://www.forskningsdatabasen.dk/en/catalog/2389125159|journal=Juristen|volume=2015|issue=1|page=10|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215070101/http://www.forskningsdatabasen.dk/en/catalog/2389125159|archive-date=15 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Unsatisfied with this result, Caroline filed a new complaint with the European Court of Human Rights. This time, the court found that the domestic courts had properly weighed the competing interests of Caroline's privacy and the press' right to freedom of expression, and thus found that there had been no violation of Article 8.<ref name="echr2">{{cite news|url=http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?action=html&documentId=900154&portal=hbkm&source=externalbydocnumber&table=F69A27FD8FB86142BF01C1166DEA398649 |date=7 February 2012 |work=[[European Court of Human Rights]] |title=Case of Von Hannover v. Germany No. 2 |access-date=28 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="eurolitigation">{{cite news|url=http://www.eurolitigation.eu/2012/02/echr-lowers-private-life-protection.html |title=ECHR lowers the private life protection standard |date=11 February 2012 |work=eurolitigation.eu |access-date=28 March 2012}}</ref>

===Writings===
In April 1981, the Princess penned an essay, entitled "Home" and published in the [[International Herald Tribune]]'s supplement.<ref name=
"englund">{{cite book |last1=Englund |first1=Steven |title=Grace of Monaco |date=1984 |publisher=Doubleday |location=New York |isbn=9780385188128 |access-date=10 December 2018 |url=https://archive.org/details/graceofmonacoint00engl |url-access=registration }}</ref> The byline was "Caroline de Grimaldi."<ref name="englund" /> In the essay, she wrote: "I long for the Mediterranean ... I feel in my bones that I belong in Monaco."<ref name="englund" /> The article was titled, "A Compulsive Need for Blue."<ref name="page237robinson">{{cite book |last1=Robinson |first1=Jeffrey |title=Grace of Monaco |date=2015 |publisher=Da Capo Press |pages=237–238 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Monaco-Story-Jeffrey-Robinson-ebook/dp/B00HBTYWH0/ |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref>

==Succession issues==
Princess Caroline was [[heir presumptive]] to the crown of Monaco until the birth of [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|her brother]] and again from
his accession until the birth of his [[Legitimacy (family law)|legitimate]] children.

There was [[precedent]] for a Monégasque prince to adopt his own illegitimate child and thereby place that child at the head of the [[line of succession to the Monegasque throne]], as was done for Caroline's grandmother, [[Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois]].<ref name="crisis">{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldica.org/topics/national/monaco.htm#crisis|title=Monaco: The Succession Crisis of 1918 |access-date=14 January 2009|date=22 March 2006|work=Heraldica|first=François|last=Velde|language=fr}}</ref> However, because of changes to the constitution of Monaco in 2002, this was no longer an option.<ref name="throne">{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldica.org/topics/national/monaco.htm#const|title=Monaco: The Constitution 2002|access-date=14 January 2009 |date=22 March 2006|work=Heraldica|first=François|last=Velde|language=fr}}</ref>

Albert's lack of legitimate children until the 2010s prompted Prince Rainier III to change the constitution so as to ensure there would be a successor to the throne, which strengthened the places of Caroline and her descendants in the line of succession.<ref name="monacoxxi">{{cite book |last1=Knightley |first1=Emma |title=Princely Monaco XXI: The House of Grimaldi in the 21st Century |isbn=9780359058945 }}</ref> On 2 April 2002, Monaco passed Princely Law 1.249, which provides that if the Sovereign Prince assumes the throne and then dies without a legitimate direct heir, the throne will pass to his [[dynasty|dynastic]] siblings and their descendants according to the rule of [[male-preference cognatic primogeniture]]. The law was then ratified by France, as required by a [[Franco-Monegasque Treaty|1918 Franco-Monégasque Treaty]], on 4 October 2005.<ref name="throne"/> Before this change, the crown of Monaco could pass only to a descendant of the last reigning prince, excluding such collateral relations as siblings, nephews, and nieces.

==Titles, styles, honours and arms==

===Titles and styles===
* 23 January 1957 – 23 January 1999: ''Her Serene Highness'' Princess Caroline of Monaco
* 23 January 1999 – present: ''Her Royal Highness'' The Princess of Hanover<ref name="palais"/><ref>(not an [[German nobility#Nobiliary law today|official title in Germany]], but recognized in Monaco)</ref>

===Honours===
{{see also|List of honours of the Monegasque princely family by country}}

====National honours====
* {{flag|Monaco}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Saint-Charles]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/Journaux/1981/Journal-6479/Ordonnance-Souveraine-n-7.226-du-18-novembre-1981-elevant-a-la-dignite-de-Grand-Croix-de-l-Ordre-de-Saint-Charles-S.A.S.-la-Princesse-Caroline|title=Ordonnance Souveraine n° 7.226 du 18 novembre 1981 élevant à la dignité de Grand Croix de l'Ordre de Saint-Charles S.A.S. la Princesse Caroline|publisher=Journal de Monaco|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006062437/https://journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/Journaux/1981/Journal-6479/Ordonnance-Souveraine-n-7.226-du-18-novembre-1981-elevant-a-la-dignite-de-Grand-Croix-de-l-Ordre-de-Saint-Charles-S.A.S.-la-Princesse-Caroline|archive-date=6 October 2017|access-date=27 June 2020|language=fr}}</ref>
* {{flag|Monaco}}: 10 November 2005 Knight Commander of the [[Order of Cultural Merit (Monaco)|Order of Cultural Merit]]<ref name="palais"/>
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Hanover}} [[House of Hanover]]: Knight of the [[Order of St. George (Hanover)|Order of Saint George]]

====Foreign honours====
* {{flag|Brazil}}: Grand Officer of the [[Order of Rio Branco]] (1 December 2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jusbrasil.com.br/diarios/1215872112/dou-secao-1-edicao-extra-a-01-12-2022-pg-3|title=Conferment of Order of Rio Branco on foreign nationals|date=1 December 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://www.diplomaciabusiness.com/governo-do-brasil-concede-ordem-de-rio-branco-a-diplomatas-e-autoridades-estrangeiras/%3famp=1 Governo do Brasil concede Ordem de Rio Branco a diplomatas e autoridades estrangeiras]</ref>
* {{flag|France}}: Member of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of the Legion of Honour]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.palais.mc/fr/la-famille-princiere/s-a-r-la-princesse-de-hanovre/biographie-1-8.html | title=Palais Princier de Monaco }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gettyimages.fr/detail/photo-d%2527actualit%C3%A9/princess-caroline-of-hanover-and-princess-stephanie-photo-dactualit%C3%A9/536029292 | title=Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stephanie of Monaco attend | date=29 May 2016 }}</ref>
* {{flag|France}}: Commander of the [[Order of Agricultural Merit]] (3 July 2014)<ref name="palais"/>
* {{flag|France}}: Commander of the [[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres|Order of Arts and Letters]] (20 May 2014)<ref name="palais"/>
* {{flag|France}}: Grand Cross of the [[Ordre national du Mérite|National Order of Merit]] (6 October 2025)<ref>[https://www.vanitatis.elconfidencial.com/casas-reales/2025-10-06/estefania-carolina-de-monaco-looks-acto-condecoraciones-francesas-palacio_4223202/ National Orders to Princesses Caroline and Stéphanie]</ref>
* {{flag|Sweden}}: Recipient of the [[Swedish Royal Jubilee Commemorative Medals|50th Birthday Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf]] (30 April 1996)

====International====
* {{flagicon|UNESCO}} 2 December 2003 [[UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador]]<ref name="palais"/>

===Arms and monograms===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| [[File:Armoiries de Caroline de Monaco princesse de Hanovre.svg|253px]]<br>Alliance coat of arms of Prince Ernst and<br>Princess Caroline of Hanover
| [[File:Royal Monogram of Princess Caroline of Monaco.svg|138px]]<br>Royal monogram of<br>Princess Caroline
| [[File:Dual Cypher of Ernst August and Caroline of Monaco.svg|113px]]<br>Dual cypher of Prince Ernst<br>
and Princess Caroline
|}

==See also==
* [[House of Grimaldi]]
* [[Line of succession to the Monegasque throne]]
* [[Monegasque Princely Family]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://www.palais.mc/en/princely-family/h-r-h-the-princess-of-hanover/biography-1-8.html The Princess of Hanover] at the [[Prince's Palace of Monaco]]

{{S-start}}
{{S-hou|[[House of Grimaldi]]|23 January|1957}}
{{s-other|line}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès|The Countess of Carladès]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Succession to the Monegasque throne]]|years=3rd in line}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Andrea Casiraghi]]}}
|-
{{S-roy|mc}}
|-
{{S-bef|before=[[Rainier III, Prince of Monaco|Rainier]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Hereditary Prince of Monaco|Hereditary Princess of Monaco]]|years=23 January 1957 – 14 March 1958}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert]]}}
|-
{{S-bef|before=[[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Hereditary Prince of Monaco|Hereditary Princess of Monaco]]|years=6 April 2005 – 10 December 2014}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco|Jacques]]}}
|-
{{S-pre}}
|-
{{S-vac|last=[[Ernst August von Hannover (born 1954)#Family|Chantal Hochuli]]}}
{{S-tul|title=[[Duchy of Brunswick|Duchess of Brunswick]]<br>[[List of Hanoverian consorts|Queen consort of Hanover]]<br>''by marriage|years=''23 January 1999 – present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}

{{Caroline, Princess of Hanover}}
{{Princess Stéphanie of Monaco}}
{{Monegasque princesses}}
{{Hanoverian princesses by marriage}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Caroline of Hanover, Princess}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of Agricultural Merit]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of Cultural Merit (Monaco)]]
[[Category:Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Ordre national du Mérite]]
[[Category:Duchesses of Brunswick-Lüneburg]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Saint-Charles]]
[[Category:Hanoverian princesses by marriage]]
[[Category:Hereditary princesses of Monaco]]
[[Category:House of Grimaldi]]
[[Category:House of Hanover]]
[[Category:Kelly family]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of American descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of English descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of German descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque princesses]]
[[Category:Monegasque Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:People educated at St Mary's School, Ascot]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Agricultural Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910)]]
[[Category:Sciences Po alumni]]
[[Category:UNESCO goodwill ambassadors]]
[[Category:Daughters of princes regnant]]