Royal Profile: Princess Stephanie of Monaco, The Countess of Polignac
Princess Stephanie Marie Elisabeth of Monaco, The Countess of Polignac was born as the 3rd child and second daughter to Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco on 1 February 1965 {Source}. She has a brother, sister, sister-in-law, four nieces, four nephews, two stepnephews and a great nephew:
Her godparents were {Source}:
In November 2005, her brother awarded her with the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Order of Grimaldi, for her involvement in humanitarian actions, notably in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and in artistic actions,support of circus arts through the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival {Source}. On June 2006, Princess Stephanie traveled for the first time to the United Nations in New York during a high level meeting on HIV/AIDS in order to explain the contribution of Monaco and to declare her personal involvement in the fight against the illness {Source}. On the 6th October 2006, Princess Stephanie was named as a Special Representative for UNAIDS {Source}. Presently, she is a Goodwill Ambassador for this institution {Source}. On the 26th June 2010, Princess Stephanie inaugurated the "Maison de Vie" ("House of Life") {Source}.
- Princess Caroline of Hanover, Princess by birth of Monaco (1957)
- Philippe Junot (m. 1977-1980)
- Stefano Casiraghi (1960, m. 1984-1990, his death)
- Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi (1985)
- Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi (1986)
- Raphael Casiraghi Elmaleh (2013)
- Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi (1987)
- Beatrice Borromeo-Casiraghi (1985, m. 2015)
- Baby Casiraghi (2017)
- Prince Ernest August of Hanover (1954, m. 1999-sep 2009)
- Prince Ernest August of Hanover (1984, step-nephew)
- Prince Christan of Hanover (1985, step-nephew)
- Princess Alexandra of Hanover (1999)
- Prince Albert II of Monaco (1958)
- Tamara Jean Rotolo (never married, 1991)
- Jazmin Grace Grimaldi (1992, illegitimate)
- Nicole Coste (1997-2003, never married)
- Alexandre Eric Stephane Coste-Grimaldi (2003, illegitimate)
- Princess Charlene of Monaco (1977)
- Princess Gabriella Thérèse Marie of Monaco, The Countess of Carladès (2014)
- Prince Jacques Honoré Rainier, Hereditary Prince of Monaco (2014)
Her godparents were {Source}:
- John B. Kelly Jr (maternal uncle)
- Baroness Elisabeth-Anne de Massy (paternal 1st cousin)
She spent her educational years in Monaco and France. She began her education at Les Dames St Maur in Monaco (merged with the other Catholic schools in the mid-1990s to create FANB). As a teen, she moved to Paris with her mother and sister in the 1970s {Source}. While residing in Paris with her mother and sister, she attended Dupanloup {Source}. She received her French Baccalaureat in 1982 {Source}. Throughout her education, she studied ballet, piano and gymnastics {Source}.
Upon completing her formal studies, she interned at the Haute Couture firm of Christian Dior under the direction of designer Marc Bohan from 1983 to 1984 {Source}.Then from 1985 through 1987 She designed a collection of swimsuits and swimwear under the name of 'Pool Position" {Source}.She speaks many languages, including French, English and Italian {Source}.
She began official duties at the age of 9 when she participated in her first jury of the International Circus Festival {Source}.Her daughter Pauline followed her suite, with her own festival in 2012, Princess Stephanie acts as President of that festival, while Pauline is President of the Jury. In 1979, she became the patron of the Grand Prix de Gymnastique de la Ville de Paris {Source}.
Today, she serves as president or on the board of many organizations including {Source}:
Upon completing her formal studies, she interned at the Haute Couture firm of Christian Dior under the direction of designer Marc Bohan from 1983 to 1984 {Source}.Then from 1985 through 1987 She designed a collection of swimsuits and swimwear under the name of 'Pool Position" {Source}.She speaks many languages, including French, English and Italian {Source}.
She began official duties at the age of 9 when she participated in her first jury of the International Circus Festival {Source}.Her daughter Pauline followed her suite, with her own festival in 2012, Princess Stephanie acts as President of that festival, while Pauline is President of the Jury. In 1979, she became the patron of the Grand Prix de Gymnastique de la Ville de Paris {Source}.
Today, she serves as president or on the board of many organizations including {Source}:
- The Monaco Youth Center
- Princess Stephanie Activity Cente
- The Princess Grace Foundation U.S.A. (Honorary Board Member)
- The Princess Grace Theatre (Organizational Committee, since 1985)
- The Jury of the Monte-Carlo Magic Grand Prix
- Organizing Committee of the International Monte-Carlo Circus Festival (President since 2005, previously vice-president)
- Fight Aids Monaco (President since 2004)
- President of The of the International Monte-Carlo Circus Festival
- President of The of the International Monte-Carlo Circus <> Festival (her elder daughter, Pauline, is the President of the Jury)
In November 2005, her brother awarded her with the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Order of Grimaldi, for her involvement in humanitarian actions, notably in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and in artistic actions,support of circus arts through the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival {Source}. On June 2006, Princess Stephanie traveled for the first time to the United Nations in New York during a high level meeting on HIV/AIDS in order to explain the contribution of Monaco and to declare her personal involvement in the fight against the illness {Source}. On the 6th October 2006, Princess Stephanie was named as a Special Representative for UNAIDS {Source}. Presently, she is a Goodwill Ambassador for this institution {Source}. On the 26th June 2010, Princess Stephanie inaugurated the "Maison de Vie" ("House of Life") {Source}.
She has been married twice, and has three children. Her first marriage was to Daniel Ducuret on 1 July 1995 {Source}. Together, they had two children:
Family is an important part of Princess Stephanie's life. She is godmother to her oldest biological nephew, Andrea Casiraghi. She and her children are said to be close with Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, the illegitimate daughter of Prince Albert II. She shares a close relationship with her daughter Pauline.She reportedly had a difficult relationship with her big sister in the 1990s.
In February 1986, Stéphanie self-produced and released her first single with the French label Carrere, under the production of Yves Roze. The song "Ouragan" and its English version "Irresistible" were both international hits, reportedly selling more than 2 million copies.
She was said to be closest with her mother of her siblings.She was also in the accident that killed her mother in 1982.It was during this accident she allegedly had a big fight with her mother.It was rumored for many years that she was the one driving, when in fact, she was not. She is said to be close with her brother, Prince Albert II.
Her title The Countess of Polignac originated from her paternal grandfather, Prince Pierre, who was given the title upon his marriage to Princess Charlotte. Princess Stephanie was born the year after her paternal grandfather died from cancer.She was barely 11 years old when her grandmother died in November 1977.
Her maternal grandfather, Jack Kelly, died four years before she was born in June 1960. Her maternal grandmother, Margaret Kelly, died in 1990.
- Louis Robert Paul Ducruet (1992)
- Pauline Grace Maguy Ducruet (1994)
Family is an important part of Princess Stephanie's life. She is godmother to her oldest biological nephew, Andrea Casiraghi. She and her children are said to be close with Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, the illegitimate daughter of Prince Albert II. She shares a close relationship with her daughter Pauline.She reportedly had a difficult relationship with her big sister in the 1990s.
In February 1986, Stéphanie self-produced and released her first single with the French label Carrere, under the production of Yves Roze. The song "Ouragan" and its English version "Irresistible" were both international hits, reportedly selling more than 2 million copies.
She was said to be closest with her mother of her siblings.She was also in the accident that killed her mother in 1982.It was during this accident she allegedly had a big fight with her mother.It was rumored for many years that she was the one driving, when in fact, she was not. She is said to be close with her brother, Prince Albert II.
Her title The Countess of Polignac originated from her paternal grandfather, Prince Pierre, who was given the title upon his marriage to Princess Charlotte. Princess Stephanie was born the year after her paternal grandfather died from cancer.She was barely 11 years old when her grandmother died in November 1977.
Her maternal grandfather, Jack Kelly, died four years before she was born in June 1960. Her maternal grandmother, Margaret Kelly, died in 1990.