Inside the life of Princess Caroline of Monaco: From looking ‘just like’ her glamorous mother Grace Kelly to her controversial VERY young wedding

Princess Caroline of Monaco, who celebrates her 68th birthday today, was born to one of the world’s most glamorous couples.

Her father, Prince Rainier III, proudly announced that their baby ‘looks just like her mother’ – the American beauty, Grace Kelly.

Caroline was born during a storm, the Daily Mail reported at the time, and would go on to create her own with her strong-willed character later in life. 

Now a mother of four and grandmother to seven, after three marriages the princess has lived an eventful life.

At just 21 years old, Caroline had already rebelled against her mother and father and insisted she studied in Paris instead of university in America as her parents wanted.

While in France, the Monegasque Royal Family ‘winced’ at photographs of the princess in nightclubs, ‘showing too much cleavage’ and ‘smiling at swarthy men,’ the Mail reported at the time. 

Caroline met Philippe Junot in the French capital, a ‘commoner’ who worked as an insurance broker and was 17 years older than her. 

She set her heart on marrying Philippe who was reportedly known as a playboy, much to her parents disapproval. 

Grace Kelly

When Princess Caroline of Monaco was born, 68 years ago today, her father announced she looked ‘just like her mother,’ Grace Kelly

Princess Caroline with her first husband, Philippe Junot, on their wedding day in 1978

Princess Caroline with her first husband, Philippe Junot, on their wedding day in 1978

‘I will not tolerate an arranged marriage. The man I love must be dark and handsome,’ Caroline once said, the Mail reported.

An eight-month disagreement and ‘battle of wills’ between Caroline, Rainier and Grace ensued.

After the princess declared she would marry Philippe without her parent’s consent if they did not agree, a wedding went ahead.

Aged 21, Caroline married the 38-year-old through a civil ceremony in a 16th-century throne room on June 28, 1978.

They then spent a night apart and wed the next day in a religious ceremony in the palace chapel due to Roman Catholic customs.

Prince Rainier wanted to keep the wedding low profile, compared to his own regal ceremony with Grace. 

Wearing a long Dior bridal dress, Caroline reportedly burst into tears as she exchanged vows with Philippe under a custom alter outside of the chapel in front of the 300 guests.

‘Philippe lifted her veil and kissed her,’ the Mail described at the time.

Princess Caroline and her second husband, Stefano Casiraghi with their daughter Princess Charlotte in 1986

Princess Caroline and her second husband, Stefano Casiraghi with their daughter Princess Charlotte in 1986

The couple and their three children, Princess Charlotte, Prince Pierre and Prince Andrea in 1987

The couple and their three children, Princess Charlotte, Prince Pierre and Prince Andrea in 1987

Caroline with her third husband, Prince Ernst-August of Hanover, at the 20th Anniversary of the Princess Grace Awards in New York in 2002

Caroline with her third husband, Prince Ernst-August of Hanover, at the 20th Anniversary of the Princess Grace Awards in New York in 2002

All eyes were on the parents of the bride, however, and their reaction to the union.     

After the service, Caroline and Philippe walked through Monte Carlo arm in arm in a ‘triumphal march,’ as the Mail reported.

However, the love did not last and the couple divorced two years later in 1980.

Caroline’s mother, Grace, tragically died following a car crash, aged 52, on September 14, 1982. 

Caroline went on to marry again on December 29, 1983, to Italian entrepreneur Stefano Casiraghi, whom she had met at a nightclub in Monte Carlo.

Six months after the wedding, she gave birth to her first child Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi on June 8, 1984.

They had two more children together, Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi and Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi.

Tragically, Caroline’s husband Stefano, who was a avid speed boat racer, was killed when his powerboat overturned during a racing competition. 

The princess found herself widowed with three children at 33 years old dealt with the blow by retreating to a secluded villa in France. 

She found love a third time five years later in an old family friend, Prince Ernst-August of Hanover.

However, he was still married when rumours of their affair began circulating and he eventually left his wife of 16 years to move in with Caroline. 

They wed on the Princess’s 42nd birthday in 1999, and six months later Caroline gave birth to her fourth child, Alexandra. 

The Monegasque royal who turns 68 today, pictured in 1996

The Monegasque royal who turns 68 today, pictured in 1996

Princess Caroline, centre, with her family and fiance Philippe at the Royal Palace in 1977

Princess Caroline, centre, with her family and fiance Philippe at the Royal Palace in 1977

Ernst had a temper and drank heavily and eventually the marriage came under strain, leading to Caroline reportedly leaving their manor house and moving back to Monaco in 2009.

The couple have apparently separated but not legally divorced, according to Tatler.

Due to Monegasque laws, Caroline was only Hereditary Princess of Monaco until her brother, Prince Albert, was born the year after her. 

She was Hereditary Princess again in 2005 when Albert was crowned, until his children were born in 2014.

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk