Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlotte |
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| Hereditary Princess of Monaco Duchess of Valentinois |
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| Born | 30 September 1898 Constantine, French Algeria |
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| Died | 16 November 1977 (aged 79) Paris, France |
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| Burial | Chapel of Peace, Monaco | ||||
| Spouse |
Prince Pierre, Duke of Valentinois
(m. 1920; div. 1933) |
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| Issue | Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy Rainier III, Prince of Monaco |
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| House | Grimaldi | ||||
| Father | Louis II, Prince of Monaco | ||||
| Mother | Marie Juliette Louvet | ||||
Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois (born Charlotte Louise Juliette Grimaldi; 30 September 1898 – 16 November 1977) was a very important member of the House of Grimaldi, Monaco's royal family. She was the only daughter of Louis II, Prince of Monaco, and the mother of Prince Rainier III. From 1922 to 1944, she was the Hereditary Princess of Monaco, which meant she was next in line to become the ruler of Monaco.
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Becoming a Princess
Charlotte was born in Constantine, which was then part of French Algeria. Her mother was Marie Juliette Louvet, a singer, and her father was Louis, who would later become Prince Louis II. At the time, her parents were not married.
Monaco faced a problem because Louis had no other children. If he didn't have an heir, the throne might go to a German cousin. This worried France, Monaco's neighbor. To prevent this, a special law was passed in 1918. This law allowed Louis to officially adopt Charlotte.
On 16 May 1919, Louis adopted Charlotte in Paris. This meant she could use the royal family's name, Grimaldi. Her grandfather, Prince Albert I, gave her the special title of Duchess of Valentinois for her whole life. When her grandfather died in 1922, her father became Prince Louis II. Charlotte then became the Hereditary Princess of Monaco, meaning she was the official heir to the throne.
Charlotte's Marriage
In 1920, Charlotte married Count Pierre de Polignac from France. Prince Pierre took the Grimaldi family name and became a prince of Monaco. They had two children together:
- Princess Antoinette Louise Alberte Suzanne (born 1920)
- Rainier III, Prince of Monaco (born 1923)
Their marriage was not a happy one, and they separated in 1930. They officially divorced in 1933.
Later Years and Legacy
On 30 May 1944, just before her son Rainier's 21st birthday, Princess Charlotte decided to give up her rights to the throne. She passed them on to her son, Rainier. From that day on, she was no longer the Hereditary Princess, but she kept her title as Princess Charlotte of Monaco.
Later in her life, Princess Charlotte went to college and earned a degree in social work. After her son, Rainier, became the ruler of Monaco in 1949, Princess Charlotte moved to a large estate outside Paris called Château de Marchais. She turned this estate into a special center to help former prisoners get their lives back on track.
Princess Charlotte died in Paris in 1977. She is remembered for her unique path to becoming a princess and for her dedication to helping others in her later years.
Titles and Official Names
- 1919–1922: Her Serene Highness The Duchess of Valentinois
- 1922–1944: Her Serene Highness The Hereditary Princess of Monaco
- 1944–1977: Her Serene Highness Princess Charlotte of Monaco
See also
In Spanish: Carlota Grimaldi para niños
