Princess Caroline

[MarieQueenie]

That's scary !!! If it is true.

"Was the father in this photograph murdered by the Italian Mafia? Stefano Casiraghi, pictured here with his wife Princess Caroline of Monaco and their children, was killed in a speedboat accident during a race along the Côte d’Azur on October 3, 1990. A champion speedboat racer, Casiraghi had stated publicly that this would be his final competition. According to author John Glatt in his book The Royal House of Monaco, rumors were rife at the time that the boat’s brakes were cut on the orders of gangsters wishing retaliation against Stefano for his recent decision to cut business ties with them. John Glatt further describes an incident that occurred in the days following Casiraghi’s funeral that, for many in Monte Carlo, made the mob’s role in his death incontrovertible.

Born the son of an Italian multi-millionaire merchant, Casiraghi married an already pregnant Princess Caroline in 1983. Although several of his business ventures, particularly his real estate development company in Monte Carlo, were initially successful, it became clear after his death that Casiraghi had accrued a tremendous amount of debt in order to finance them. It was an open secret within the principality that many of his clients and creditors were Italian Mafiosi. Furthermore, within the last two years of his life several of Stefano’s employees and associates, ranging from business partners to his chauffeur, had either been arrested by the Italian government or were under investigation for a host of illegal activities ranging from drug smuggling to embezzlement. Aside from these unsavory associations, Casiraghi also became notorious in the Italian press by the late 80’s for his attempt at dodging compulsory Italian military service by claiming to have discovered a testicular tumor. No trace of such a tumor was uncovered during his autopsy.

John Glatt writes that shortly after his funeral, mafia henchmen broke into Monaco’s St. Nicholas Cathedral, opened Stefano’s tomb, and propped his coffin upright. This is the traditional message that the Italian mob is responsible for taking the life of the man within the coffin, and his loved ones should devise plans to make restitution to his creditors as soon as possible. Princess Caroline understood completely. In her book The Grimaldis of Monaco, Anne Edwards states that Caroline wound up taking a loan out from her father in order to settle her late husband’s obligations.

Anne Edwards further writes that Casiraghi was about as honorable a husband as he was an entrepreneur. He kept at least one mistress the entire time he was married to his princess. Of course, many a royal watcher knows that Caroline had already become friendly with French actor Vincent Lindon at the time of Stefano’s death. Its long been rumored that she had entered into an arrangement with her husband by then concerning their mutual extramarital affairs. Princess Caroline and Lindon moved in together shortly after her husband’s demise, and would briefly become engaged several years later.

The possible murder of Stefano Casiraghi illuminates just how far various criminal organizations have managed to penetrate Monaco throughout the years. It demonstrates that, although the head of the Grimaldi dynasty is his country’s ruling prince, he’s not always able to protect his family members when they run afoul of less than reputable business partners. Pierre Casiraghi, Caroline and Stefano’s youngest son, is an up and coming entrepreneur in Monte Carlo whose rumored to be following in his father’s footsteps. He would do well to remember the moral of this story."

[Lady Hermione]

That's scary !!! If it is true.

"Was the father in this photograph murdered by the Italian Mafia? Stefano Casiraghi, pictured here with his wife Princess Caroline of Monaco and their children, was killed in a speedboat accident during a race along the Côte d’Azur on October 3, 1990. A champion speedboat racer, Casiraghi had stated publicly that this would be his final competition. According to author John Glatt in his book The Royal House of Monaco, rumors were rife at the time that the boat’s brakes were cut on the orders of gangsters wishing retaliation against Stefano for his recent decision to cut business ties with them. John Glatt further describes an incident that occurred in the days following Casiraghi’s funeral that, for many in Monte Carlo, made the mob’s role in his death incontrovertible.

Born the son of an Italian multi-millionaire merchant, Casiraghi married an already pregnant Princess Caroline in 1983. Although several of his business ventures, particularly his real estate development company in Monte Carlo, were initially successful, it became clear after his death that Casiraghi had accrued a tremendous amount of debt in order to finance them. It was an open secret within the principality that many of his clients and creditors were Italian Mafiosi. Furthermore, within the last two years of his life several of Stefano’s employees and associates, ranging from business partners to his chauffeur, had either been arrested by the Italian government or were under investigation for a host of illegal activities ranging from drug smuggling to embezzlement. Aside from these unsavory associations, Casiraghi also became notorious in the Italian press by the late 80’s for his attempt at dodging compulsory Italian military service by claiming to have discovered a testicular tumor. No trace of such a tumor was uncovered during his autopsy.

John Glatt writes that shortly after his funeral, mafia henchmen broke into Monaco’s St. Nicholas Cathedral, opened Stefano’s tomb, and propped his coffin upright. This is the traditional message that the Italian mob is responsible for taking the life of the man within the coffin, and his loved ones should devise plans to make restitution to his creditors as soon as possible. Princess Caroline understood completely. In her book The Grimaldis of Monaco, Anne Edwards states that Caroline wound up taking a loan out from her father in order to settle her late husband’s obligations.

Anne Edwards further writes that Casiraghi was about as honorable a husband as he was an entrepreneur. He kept at least one mistress the entire time he was married to his princess. Of course, many a royal watcher knows that Caroline had already become friendly with French actor Vincent Lindon at the time of Stefano’s death. Its long been rumored that she had entered into an arrangement with her husband by then concerning their mutual extramarital affairs. Princess Caroline and Lindon moved in together shortly after her husband’s demise, and would briefly become engaged several years later.

The possible murder of Stefano Casiraghi illuminates just how far various criminal organizations have managed to penetrate Monaco throughout the years. It demonstrates that, although the head of the Grimaldi dynasty is his country’s ruling prince, he’s not always able to protect his family members when they run afoul of less than reputable business partners. Pierre Casiraghi, Caroline and Stefano’s youngest son, is an up and coming entrepreneur in Monte Carlo whose rumored to be following in his father’s footsteps. He would do well to remember the moral of this story."

Well, in my opinion the murder theory is a load of rubbish as is the whole coffin story that circulated  - Stefano was a speed fiend with money to indulge in his hobby and it ended badly. Just another wasted life ended because of a pointless accident.

Caroline did move on quickly - so what? Doesn't mean she wasn't grieving or regretful for what might have been. Different people grieve differently and pick up the pieces of their existence in different ways.

I think she and Stefano were happy and had a good thing - they may have had an arrangement about an open relationship. Who knows? There isn't actually any proof. It's all moot anyway.

I'm sure there's some less than pleasant money circulating in Monaco but I don't think it comes from the Italian Mafia these days. And they do have a "clean" bill of health from the various international financial bodies so I don't think Pierre needs to do much worrying.

[Countess of Cows]

I remember the shock of it all and faintly, maybe about his tomb being broke into, only later did I read anything about his business practices and his cheating.  Caroline was devastated, the children were so small, I think she  moved to a small village in France  to escape the press.  It was an awful, awful time.  She was a tragic, yet brave woman.  It cemented my favor of her, no matter what happens.  I think it explains much about her personality and persona she projects to the world. JMO

It's old news because it's been out there for decades.  I tend to believe it's true, that he owed money (whether they killed him or not, I'm more skeptical)  and Caroline took care of things and now the businesses are legal.  If I remember correctly she sold a lot of jewelry and property to pay off his debts.  Gosh it was so long ago, must be desperate to write  books claiming "new story".  It's not.  I'd be curious to read it IF there was new information, but there doesn't seem to be. 

I can't remember if there was an "official" explanation of the accident.   If I remember the boat was going really fast, lost control, went airborne and started flipping.  I'm not sure how brakes would have played in that, there are no "brakes" on a boat.  You control it was the engine power.  I always thought driver error.  I'm pretty sure his neck was broken as it flew apart and he was thrown out, then he landed with his head under water.  I think the other guy lived.

Does anyone know, was his tomb bothered, or am I remembering that wrong? 

[Lady Hermione]

I remember the shock of it all and faintly, maybe about his tomb being broke into, only later did I read anything about his business practices and his cheating.  Caroline was devastated, the children were so small, I think she  moved to a small village in France  to escape the press.  It was an awful, awful time.  She was a tragic, yet brave woman.  It cemented my favor of her, no matter what happens.  I think it explains much about her personality and persona she projects to the world. JMO

It's old news because it's been out there for decades.  I tend to believe it's true, that he owed money (whether they killed him or not, I'm more skeptical)  and Caroline took care of things and now the businesses are legal.  If I remember correctly she sold a lot of jewelry and property to pay off his debts.  Gosh it was so long ago, must be desperate to write  books claiming "new story".  It's not.  I'd be curious to read it IF there was new information, but there doesn't seem to be. 

I can't remember if there was an "official" explanation of the accident.   If I remember the boat was going really fast, lost control, went airborne and started flipping.  I'm not sure how brakes would have played in that, there are no "brakes" on a boat.  You control it was the engine power.  I always thought driver error.  I'm pretty sure his neck was broken as it flew apart and he was thrown out, then he landed with his head under water.  I think the other guy lived.

Does anyone know, was his tomb bothered, or am I remembering that wrong? 

You're right about all the stories around at the time. I was living in the South of France then and remember it well.

There were several stories about Stefano leaving debts and Caroline selling her jewellery - but she still has  the jewellery she always had. Also, I can't see Prince Rainier letting Caroline sell her jewellery. I heard that Stefano over extended himself financially because he basically had interests in quite a few businesses and so those bills had to be met. Basically, he took advantage of his connections and became very successful very quickly and annoyed quite a few established Monaco figures as a result - this is all various things I remember reading as well as the other stories.

Your recollection of the accident details is the same as mine - the boat flipped after hitting a wave and Stefano was thrown out of the boat. I read somewhere that the speed of the boat meant that the force with which he hit the water was akin to hitting a cement wall. So he was killed instantly. His co-pilot Patrice Innocenti was injured but survived.

I'm sceptical about the tomb story but obviously I don't have any proof one way or the other. It just seems weird in Monaco where you can't (and couldn't even then) blow your nose without being on camera that they would have managed to access the tomb of a member of the Princely Family and then have time to get the coffin and stand it up.

I totally agree with you about how it affected Caroline - i think the press coverage , the speculation, keeping her kids protected made her much "harder" in her attitude in many ways.

[cordtx]

I remember vaguely pics of her where she had lost all her hair from the stress ( stress hits your immune system and it can happen. My husband had it happen briefly when his mom died)
That made me feel very sorry for her

[Carreen]

She looks wonderful imho. I'm nearly her age and appreciate a woman in the public light who doesn't interfere with the natural aging process. If she did, it's not visible. She has beautiful eyes and cheek bones.

I've never seen a picture of her youngest daughter. Maybe I didn't notice it? or does she protect her and shield her from the press? I totally understand that. I must be hard to grow up under the eyes of the whole world. I remember poor Stephanie who hated it and misbehaved and that made the press even hungrier for pictures of her.

No, it can't have been easy to be the eldest daughter of a legend like Grace Kelly, of a couple whose marriage seemed such an artifical construct (at least to my eyes, what do we really know?). I find her an elegant and impressive woman. What a pity she couldn't be heir of the throne.

[freethespoon]

Having an affair with your friend's husband is indeed elegant.

Karma dished back though since her husband now openly flaunts other women in public.

[leatherface]

Having an affair with your friend's husband is indeed elegant.

Karma dished back though since her husband now openly flaunts other women in public.

Spoonie,  Caro didn't have an affair with Ernst August, she straight up "stole" him from his wife, in as much as you can steal anyone.

I doubt she ever loved him but he met certain needs for her i.e. HRH and mummy's choice for her.

[Lady Hermione]

Having an affair with your friend's husband is indeed elegant.

Karma dished back though since her husband now openly flaunts other women in public.

Spoonie,  Caro didn't have an affair with Ernst August, she straight up "stole" him from his wife, in as much as you can steal anyone.

I doubt she ever loved him but he met certain needs for her i.e. HRH and mummy's choice for her.

Sorry but I don't think fully grown men in their 40s who already have a history of infidelity can be "stolen". I'm not trying to justify what Caroline did but Ernst is just as much to blame. They both made less than admirable decisions that hurt other people.

Maybe she did Chantal a favour (sure it didn't feel.like it at the time) - seems to me looking at Ernst now Chantal dodged a huge bullet there.

I also think that she and Ernst were happy for a while - until his "problems" became more evident - and that there was more to it than a purely courtesy HRH, however much she might have liked that idea. I really think the Grace picked him out as ideal husband material is coincidence - Caroline has never struck me as someone keen to do what mummy would approve of.

Just my thoughts, of course.

[leatherface]

Having an affair with your friend's husband is indeed elegant.

Karma dished back though since her husband now openly flaunts other women in public.

Spoonie,  Caro didn't have an affair with Ernst August, she straight up "stole" him from his wife, in as much as you can steal anyone.

I doubt she ever loved him but he met certain needs for her i.e. HRH and mummy's choice for her.

Sorry but I don't think fully grown men in their 40s who already have a history of infidelity can be "stolen". I'm not trying to justify what Caroline did but Ernst is just as much to blame. They both made less than admirable decisions that hurt other people.

Maybe she did Chantal a favour (sure it didn't feel.like it at the time) - seems to me looking at Ernst now Chantal dodged a huge bullet there.

I also think that she and Ernst were happy for a while - until his "problems" became more evident - and that there was more to it than a purely courtesy HRH, however much she might have liked that idea. I really think the Grace picked him out as ideal husband material is coincidence - Caroline has never struck me as someone keen to do what mummy would approve of.

Just my thoughts, of course.

Ernst is more to blame than Caro,  he was the one that was married. Caroline wanted him, made a play and he said yes. But he was still her friend's husband that she took up with.

I don't know much detail  about his early life and family but from what I do know from hearsay and conjecture,  he and his siblings were somewhat "troubled" when it came to substances.

I think that Ernst being Grace's choice may have resonated with her at that time after her losses, and the fact that she was in her 40s and could then understand or sympathize with Grace's point of view.

[shastadaisy]

Regarding Caroline’s hair loss, I remember reading a while back a blind gossip item about “a certain European princess” who was treated for breast cancer, who lost her hair due to chemotherapy not stress. This would make more sense to me than the stress causing ALL her hair to fall out. Especially for someone with Caroline’s resources. Stress might cause some hair loss in clumps or strands, but to leave the person bald as a baby seems unlikely.

[cordtx]

Could be, it was around 1996 or so.
Either way I’m glad she’s better now

If it was stress, after steroid injections and the immune system recovering , it takes quite a bit of time for the hair follicle to turn back on, no matter how much money you have, and than the hair slowly starts to regrow

[Rita]

 January 24, 2019, Princess Caroline became the honorary guest at the launch of Mawoma which is the first worldwide itinerant competition for women orchestra conductors at Le Grand Hotel in Paris. Mawoma is an itinerant festival which is held for young women who are destined to become orchestral conductors. During this international journey, the festival aims to seek out talented female conductors in every continent and encourage them, and afterwards present them in Monaco. All the proceeds of this festival will be donated to the World Association of Children's Friends

[anastasia beaverhausen]

It’s only January 25th, but I think we have a strong contender for ugliest dress of 2019.

[fruela]

Despite her hair loss,she looked beautiful. She is beautiful at 62 - her days in the sun and the snow,her cigarettes, her lines, her wrinkles.  Not a fan of her clothes ...since she became  HRH?