Was Monaco’s royal family cursed by a witch? As Princess Charlene and Prince Albert’s troubles continue, a 700-year-old Grimaldi legend some blame for Grace Kelly’s death has been revived
- Legend has it a witch sent to death got her revenge with a curse condemning the aristocratic family to an eternity of unhappy marriages, which might sound ridiculous, but …
- Prince Albert’s ‘playboy’ lifestyle and illegitimate children may be well-known – but his sisters Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie have both endured many short, thwarted romances too
Fanciful talk of a 700-year-old Grimaldi family curse has re-emerged as the relationship between Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene receives intensified scrutiny.
Could it really all be down to a witch’s curse? It might sound far-fetched, but the Grimaldi clan has historically been one of the most wretched famous families on the planet, especially when it comes to matters of the heart …
The legend
According to the Scottish Herald, there are several origin stories that refer to a family curse. The most famous version concerns Prince Rainier I kidnapping a Flemish woman in the 13th century. In turn, the woman cursed the prince and all of his descendants with the words: “never will a Grimaldi find happiness in marriage.”
Another version of the myth claims the curse was the work of a witch who was condemned to being burnt at the stake at the order from the prince.
The tragedy of Grace Kelly
The news shocked the world as her injuries were not described as life threatening when she was hospitalised the day before. After her death, questions around the incident dominated headlines: why was she driving when she had a chauffeur and was widely known to hate driving? Why were there no skid marks on the road, and why was the car in a brake position when it was found? The questions led many to chalk her death up to the curse – proof that no Grimaldi would find happiness in marriage.