Today, 30 years ago Stefano Casiraghi died in a tragic speedboat accident off the coast of Monte Carlo while he was taking part in the second leg of the World Championship of motorboat speed racing. Stefano Casiraghi was only 30 years old when he died, leaving behind his wife Princess Caroline of Monaco and his three young children Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre. His parents Giancarlo and Fernanda were also in Monte Carlo that day and had to witness the whole tragedy unfolding in front of their eyes.

Stefano was very popular in Monaco for making Princess Caroline happy again. After her ugly divorce from her first husband Philippe Junot in 1980 and her mother’s tragic death (Princess Grace) in 1982, Caroline finally found comfort and solace in Stefano Casiraghi. Caroline and Stefano got married in a civil ceremony on December 29, 1983 in the Hall of Mirrors at the Princely Palace in Monaco. Few people had heard of Stefano before and it has been rumored that Caroline’s father Prince Rainier was initially quite suspicious of his new son-in-law. But after the birth of their three adorable children, Stefano became immensely popular in Monaco and gained Prince Rainier’s trust.

Retreating

Without a doubt Princess Caroline must have felt like the world collapsed on her shoulders when she learned of her husband’s death in Paris. When Stefano died, she was just 33 years old, widowed with three young children to take care of. After Stefano was laid to rest on October 6 in Monaco, Caroline took her three children out of the glitzy and posh surroundings of Monaco and settled for the quiet and rural Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in France. Her brother Albert described that step as an escape “from the gossip and hoopla of Monaco”. Caroline surely felt wounded and haunted by the cards she was dealt with in life. Sure, she enjoyed wealth and fame, but what she craved for most was to raise her children together with Stefano.

Healing

Caroline enjoyed the quiet life in the French town of Saint-Remy which allowed her to gradually take part in events to represent her country again. Saint-Rémy is just a three-hour-drive from Monte Carlo, but Caroline also used the helicopter to get to Monaco quickly to assist her father and her siblings with their public duties. After a year of mourning, she got back to representing Monaco as First Lady again, which she was after her mother had so tragically died in 1982. Caroline also let her young children slowly back into the spotlight, taking them with her for the National Day celebrations in Monaco or the annual Circus Festival of Monte Carlo which was hosted by her father.

Transitioning

In 1997, Caroline was photographed by a paparazzi having no hair, sparking rumors that she might be suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment. This was never officially confirmed though! It is more likely that Caroline suffered from alopecia, a disease that made her hair fall out. Caroline was very open about her new look since she allowed professional photos to be published showing her bald and really beautiful natural look. This phase in her life can in retrospect be seen as a transition from ordeal to order. Caroline seemed to have embraced a new confidence with her role as Monaco’s first lady and a single mother of three beautiful, healthy kids.

Finding (a new love)

One reason for this could have been the new man in her life: Prince Ernst August of Hanover. Caroline had led a secluded life for almost 7 years after Stefano died only having had one short relationship with French actor Vincent Lindon. Ernst August, however, lifted Caroline’s spirits again and both got married in a civil ceremony in Monaco on her 42nd birthday in 1999. Seven months later, their only daughter Princess Alexandra was born. Few people would have thought that Caroline would marry and become a mother again! And for a brief period she seemed to have finally found happiness again. Her children with Stefano accepted the new man at her side and the patchwork family seemed to work well together. Ernst August was seen taking part in official duties and assisting his wife. Both were guests at socialite events and the new royal power couple graced the covers of many European magazines.

Separating

But Caroline’s luck was short lived. Already short tempered, her third husband couldn’t cope with the massive media interest in him and his wife. He was seen shouting at paparazzi, embarrassing Caroline who was sitting right next to him. On one occasion he hit a journalist with an umbrella and was later sued for that. At the world Expo in his hometown Hanover, he was photographed taking a leak at the Turkish pavilion, totally oblivious of the paparazzi who took a picture of it. It soon became quite clear that Ernst August couldn’t be wheeled out for public outings without causing a massive stir. Caroline henceforth attended royal weddings and celebrations alone and also started to take care of their baby girl without his help. Ernst August was hardly seen with his family anymore. The last time Caroline and Ernst August appeared together was in 2009 in Monaco, where Caroline now lived. Many people wondered why Caroline hasn’t divorced Ernst August yet. One reason could be that she would like to keep her HRH (Her royal highness) status that she received upon her marriage to him. Ernst August’s House of Hanover ranks higher than the principality of Monaco. Before her marriage, Caroline was just styled “Her Serene Highness”.

Enjoying

30 years after Stefano’s death, Caroline has settled for a predominately private life. Her most important role today is probably being grandmother to her and Stefano’s seven grandchildren. Her eldest son Andrea Casiraghi (36) has married the rich South American heiress, Tatiana Santo Domingo (36) in 2013. Together they have three children: Alexandre Andrea Stefano Casiraghi (7), India Casiraghi (5) and Maximilian Rainier (2). Her eldest daughter Charlotte (34) has now two children. Her first born Raphael Elmaleh (6) is from her first husband, the French-Moroccan stand-up comedian and actor Gad Elmaleh. Her second son Balthazar Rassam (1) is from her second husband Dimitri Rassam whom she married in 2019. Caroline youngest son Pierre (33) has two children with his beautiful wife Beatrice Borromeo (35), an Italian radio and TV journalist. Their first-born son was named Stefano (3), paying tribute to the father Pierre hardly got to know. Their second son Francesco was born in 2018.

Private life

Caroline has scaled down the number of her public duties significantly ever since her brother Prince Albert married Charlène in 2011. With a new first lady, who after initial problems has now adjusted to court life, Caroline could finally step back and focus on her private life. She appears, however, at few selected key events in the royal Monegasque calendar. It is not known whether Caroline has a new partner at her side. Even though she is officially still married, it is clear that she and Ernst August lead total separate lives. After having spent most of her life in the public limelight, it would be no wonder if she kept any new relationship secret.

Looking back it is truly impressive to see how Caroline managed to find her way back into life again after Stefano’s death – always cherishing his memory and raising their three children according to his beliefs and values and also keeping close contact to his family. The way Caroline dealt with her fate(s) reveals a strong and multi-facetted character. It also reveals a determined and proud person who obviously seems to put her children’s well-being first. We wish Princess Caroline the best of luck for her future and the happiness in a relationship she has so often lost over the past years.