Royal houses of Europe have often been associated with legends that have haunted their descendants. And when it comes to family curses, this is no exception for the Grimaldi.
Originally from Italy, The House of Grimaldi has been one of the main and most powerful families in Genoa. Since 1297, the Grimaldi family has ruled over the wealthy nation of Monaco. Yet, this dynasty, which has given Monaco its princes and princesses for more than 700 years, has supposedly carried a jinx that has prevented them from getting their happily- ever-after.
The curse of the Grimaldi
There are many versions regarding Monaco’s royal bloodline jinx. Yet all of these stories date back to 14th century Europe. The most famous one is the following:
Rainier I of Monaco became the first Grimaldi to rule over the European area. In 1304, he was appointed admiral of France after winning the Battle of Zierikzee, a naval battle between a Flemish fleet and an allied Franco-Hollandic one.
Legend has it that, after having fought with his fleet against that of Flanders for the liberation of Holland, Prince Rainier I of Monaco kidnapped a beautiful Flemish maiden to celebrate his success.
Having forced himself upon her, the maiden took her revenge by casting a curse upon Rainier I and his descendants. She proclaimed the following: “Never will a Grimaldi find happiness in marriage.”
Another version of the myth alleges the curse was cast by a witch who was burnt at the stake at the order of the prince. What both versions agree on is that, since Rainier I, the dynasty has been unlucky in love and marriage.
Claudine, Lady of Monaco
Family members of The House of Grimaldi have suffered from cheating, abandonment, and other tragedies. One of the earliest examples occurred during mid-1400s with Claudine, Lady of Monaco.
Claudine was the only child of Blanche del Carretto and Catalan Grimaldi, and thereby his heir. Monaco allowed female succession with the condition that the heir must keep her own surname, Grimaldi, after marriage and passed it on to her children. Thus, her husband should take his wife’s household name.
Claudine was six years old when Catalan died. In his will, he mentioned that his heir was to marry her cousin Lamberto Grimaldi di Antibes, to ensure that the Grimaldi family should keep the throne of Monaco. Furthermore, he appointed Pomellina Fregoso, Claudine’s paternal grandmother, as regent of Monaco until Claudine came of age.
Yet, the wedding between Claudine and Lambert didn’t happen right away. After her fiancé opposed the will, Lambert overthrew her grandmother and seized Monaco’s throne. In return, Pomellina staged a series of unsuccessful plots to kill Lambert.
Meanwhile, Claudine lost her rights once Lambert legally took possession of them, thus no longer regarded as Monaco’s ruler—still, he did include her name when he proclaimed his sovereignty.
Claudine and Lambert’s wedding finally took place on 29 August 1465. Despite being described as “a happy one”, the Grimaldi curse would follow their children. Upon Lambert’s death in 1494, their son, Jean II, became Lord of Monaco. Yet, Jean was murdered in 1505 by his brother Lucien, who became Monaco’s ensuing ruler.
It is said that Claudine tragically witnessed her son’s crime against his own brother.
Louis I, Prince of Monaco
Another unsuccessful royal marriage case was that of Louis I, Prince of Monaco. In 1660, Louis I married Catherine Charlotte de Gramont. She was known as a beautiful and witty woman, but also for having many lovers.
Despite being married to Louis I, Catherine continued carrying on her affairs during the couple’s stay in Paris. Louis I and Catherine regularly attended the French court.
There, Catherine Charlotte continued a relationship that she formerly had with her cousin, Antonin Nompar, as well as with other French royal members, including King Louis XIV of France.
Monaco’s consort princess would be known as “Catherine the Torrent”, and described as a woman who was “greedy for pleasure”. In 1666, Catherine Charlotte finally left Louis I and became the mistress of King Louis XIV.
Grace Kelly’s tragedy
Perhaps the most notable marriage to have been a victim of The House of Grimaldi curse is that of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly.
The Oscar-winning actress left her career as a Hollywood star when she married Monaco’s monarch in 1956. With this, the Grimaldi family rose to international fame.
Although it was seen as a ” real-life fairytale wedding”, the truth about Grace’s royal marriage was much more complicated. Grace Kelly repeatedly struggled with keeping the intense demands and expectations of being a royal.
Eventually, Grace and Rainier III’s story would come to a tragic ending in 1982, when the former actress tragically died in a car accident at the age of 52. It was later reported that Kelly Grace had suffered a stroke while driving with her daughter Stephanie.
The terrible loss was a blow for the royal family and for Monaco. In spite of living for another 23 years, Prince Rainier III never married again.
Although Monaco’s royal family curse was already known in the country, this legend became popular worldwide after Kelly’s death. Questions were raised around the incident and many speculated that the curse was real.
Is the Grimaldi curse real?
Nowadays, the curse on The House of Grimaldi is one of the most famous curses in royal history. After Grace Kelly’s fatal incident, the hex’s legend continued to haunt some of the Grimaldi’s family members, such as Prince Albert II and Princesses Stephanie and Caroline, Grace’s and Rainier III’s offsprings.
For example, it has been rumored that Prince Albert’s marriage to former athlete Charlene is a truly unhappy one. On the day of the wedding, the South African swimmer could not hold her tears but they were clearly not from joy, and in recent years, the couple has been apart. Him living in Monaco and she in South Africa, gathering occasionally for some photo opportunities.
Some say that the legend is mere superstition. On the other hand, others believe that the spell does exist and that no Grimaldi will find happiness in marriage. Whatever the case is, one thing’s for sure: this curse has been tormenting Monaco’s royals for centuries.
