Monday, February 22, 2010

Princess Charlotte returns to Monaco

Embed from Getty Images 
 February 22, 1930

The Chicago Daily Tribune is reporting that today was a "day of deep surprises for Monaco, which is still seething over the announcement" that Prince Pierre is seeking a separation from his wife, Charlotte, the Hereditary Princess. As a result of this final break with her husband, Charlotte fled the tiny country, first going to San Remo, and then taking a villa at Roquebrune, which is about 500 yards from Monaco's border. Until today, the princess "had turned a deaf ear to the entreaties of her father, Prince Louis," to return home.

Princess Charlotte "calmly drove up to the royal palace, went in and stayed."
 
The second "sensation to startle the population" was Prince Pierre's "sudden departure" from Monaco. He left with a "bag and baggage," but where he is now is "a mystery."

The couple's two children, Prince Rainer and Princess Antoinette, "were left by their father in the care of the Duchess of Vendome at her villa in Cannes."
 
"Complete secrecy" has been "maintained in official circles." The Princess met with a representative of her father last night, "in a final effort to persuade" her to return home.

The latest scandal to rock Monaco centers on the princess and a prominent Monagesque physician, Dr. Dalmas, who was seen in San Remo a few days ago, and "several times yesterday in Monte Carlo."

Princess Charlotte's marriage has been plagued by rumors of incompatibility for more than a year now. The Monagesque press, "which has been well muzzled, omits to mention in its accounts the fact" that the attractive Princess Charlotte, 35, and her husband," "have been the subject of public interest for some months."

Prince Pierre is said to have "a fiery temper," and has on occasion thrown "royal bric-a-brac" at his wife, and this is one of the reasons why Charlotte has grown tired "of conjugal life."

Some of Monaco's aristocratic families are saying "I told you so," noting that Charlotte "was not a member of nobility by birth."

The marital agitation has also caused concern in Monaco's political circles. There are suggestions that a "Red member of the municipal council encouraged Princess Charlotte in her action as an adroit political move to create a royal scandal."

A minority opposition has not spared any "effort to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic."

The New York Times reports that the Princess is "unwilling to live unhappily any longer with her husband." The Prince has moved for a legal separation, which "would give him custody of the couple's two children. In San Remo, Charlotte declared that she "wanted more than a legal separation." She wants the marriage to be annulled by the Pope. She wants to be able to marry a French nobleman,  whose identity she refuses as yet to reveal."

Prince Pierre is opposed to an annulment because he would lose his Monagesque citizenship. He would regain his French nationality, which he had before 1920. He is also concerned that this "procedure would not invalidate" Prince Rainier's status as the eventual heir to the throne.

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