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A royal soap opera

Published 09 July 2009

The antics of the Grimaldis disfigure Monaco

What would happen if you put the cast of Footballers’ Wives in charge of a country? To find out, look no further than Monaco, tax haven and playground of the super-rich, where the House of Grimaldi has ruled since 1297. It is one of just three European states where the monarchy has an active role in politics – including granting that all-important, tax-free citizenship to visiting millionaires.

And what a royal family they are. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, the only incumbent head of state in the world to have reached the North Pole, can also claim the more dubious honour of having faced three paternity cases. DNA tests and legal battles proved that he had fathered one child by a married Californian, and another by an Air France flight attendant.

As the “playboy prince” is still unmarried, the constitution had to be changed. If he dies without legitimate children, instead of the state reverting to French rule the throne will be occupied by his sister Princess Caroline and her third husband, Prince Ernst August V of Hanover.

But this is tame compared with the antics of youngest sister, Stephanie, whose marriage in 1995 to her bodyguard Daniel Ducruet lasted just a year. A string of affairs included another bodyguard and, allegedly, her father’s butler. She also spent time travelling Europe with the Circus Knie during a tryst with a married circus owner and elephant trainer.

But it doesn’t stop there. After a suspected cocaine dealer, Eskander Laribi, was shot dead in Nice in 2000, the Chevrolet his girlfriend was driving turned out to be Stephanie’s. Diplomatic immunity saved her from questioning.

All in all, it’s hard to imagine the Grimaldis in charge of anything, let alone a country where property is worth $68,000 per square metre. There may be more money than sense flying around, but Monaco has been a member of the UN with full voting rights since 1993.

The mantle will eventually pass to Caroline’s children, Andrea, Pierre and Charlotte, regulars on lists of Hot Young Royals, Beautiful People and Most Eligible. Sickeningly beautiful and dizzyingly rich they may be, but with family like that – really?

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2 comments from readers

ongkhop
09 July 2009 at 11:54

to: shackel

have never read a more biased article in my life. you sound jealous and envious of them. have you ever interviewed the prince and pincesses of monaco. ? what type of paper do you work for, a scandal sheet ? if not you should definitely start looking for another job.

my best.

ongkhop@aol.com

Everett Alexander
10 July 2009 at 00:20

That was the nastiest piece of what is supposed to pass for journalism that I have ever read! If you want true scandal than look no further than the British monarchy. Kings have been producing illegitimate children for centuries. You don't have to look any further than the present Prince of Wales for scandal since he spent over a decade committing adultery. The fact that he married his mistress after the convenient death of his first wife does not negate their sins. As for Monaco's monarchs, they have been instrumental in moving their country forward and keeping their people prosperous. During his reign alone, Prince Rainier III increased Monaco's gross national product by over 700 percent!! Instead of spending time focusing on the shortcomings of people, perhaps you should try writing a more balanced piece that shows how the Grimaldis have focused their energy on such issues as the environment, AIDS awareness, support of the arts, creating better conditions for at risk children around the world. In other words, try being an actual journalist instead of a scandal-monger.