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The Princely Family

For more than 700 years, Monaco’s destiny has been tied to a single family, the Grimaldis. Here are their origins, their symbols and the line of rulers down to today.

The Grimaldis, from Genoa to the Rock

The Grimaldis come from Genoa, where they were among the most powerful noble families, alongside the Spinola, Doria and Fieschi. Their ancestor, Grimaldo, was consul of Genoa in the 12th century. Since 1297 their story has been bound up with that of the Rock, with a single break: from 1793 to 1814, Monaco was French.

Look at the principality’s coat of arms: the shield with red and white lozenges is held by two bearded monks with raised swords. They recall François Grimaldi’s trick in 1297. Beneath the shield, a banner carries the family motto, "Deo Juvante", meaning "With God’s help".

The crown passes according to the constitution: it goes to the prince’s direct and legitimate descendants, in order of birth, sons before daughters. Since 2002, if the ruler has no legitimate child, it can pass to his brothers and sisters. The current heir is Prince Jacques, born on 10 December 2014, son of Albert II and Princess Charlene.

The tree below is simplified: it starts with François Grimaldi, then follows the rulers without a break from Honoré II, the first to bear the title of prince in 1612.

  1. François Grimaldi, "Malizia", 1297Legendary founder. According to tradition, he took the fortress disguised as a monk in January 1297; several generations of lords separate him from Honoré II.
  2. Honoré II, 1604-1662Lord, then first prince. Son of Hercule I, he reigned as a child under a regency and took the title of prince in 1612.
  3. Louis I, 1662-1701Sovereign prince. Grandson of Honoré II: his father Hercule, Marquis des Baux, died in 1651 without reigning.
  4. Antoine I, 1701-1731Sovereign prince. Son of Louis I; he had no son, so his daughter Louise-Hippolyte succeeded him.
  5. Louise-Hippolyte, 1731Sovereign princess. Daughter of Antoine I, she reigned for only a few months and died at the end of 1731.
  6. Jacques I, 1731-1733Sovereign prince. Born Jacques Goyon de Matignon, husband of Louise-Hippolyte, he began the Grimaldi-Matignon line and abdicated in favour of his son.
  7. Honoré III, 1733-1793Sovereign prince. Son of Jacques I and Louise-Hippolyte, he lost his throne in 1793, when Monaco was annexed to France.
  8. Honoré IV, 1814-1819Sovereign prince. Son of Honoré III, he regained the principality through the Treaty of Paris of 1814.
  9. Honoré V, 1819-1841Sovereign prince. Son of Honoré IV, he had already governed the principality as regent for his father since 1815.
  10. Florestan I, 1841-1856Sovereign prince. Brother of Honoré V; during his reign, Menton and Roquebrune declared themselves free towns in 1848.
  11. Charles III, 1856-1889Sovereign prince. Son of Florestan I, he created the Société des Bains de Mer in 1863 and gave his name to Monte-Carlo.
  12. Albert I, 1889-1922Sovereign prince. Son of Charles III and a keen oceanographer, he founded the Oceanographic Museum and granted the 1911 constitution.
  13. Louis II, 1922-1949Sovereign prince. Son of Albert I; his only child, Charlotte, recognised and adopted, became his heir.
  14. Charlotte, 1922-1944Hereditary Princess. Daughter of Louis II, she never reigned: on 30 May 1944 she renounced her rights in favour of her son Rainier.
  15. Rainier III, 1949-2005Sovereign prince. Grandson of Louis II through his mother Charlotte, he married Grace Kelly in 1956 and reigned for almost 56 years.
  16. Albert II, 2005-Reigning sovereign prince. Son of Rainier III and Grace Kelly, he married Charlene Wittstock in 2011.
  17. Prince Jacques, 2014Hereditary Prince. Son of Albert II, born on 10 December 2014, Marquis des Baux, he is in line to succeed his father.

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