There has been no marital happiness for years.
Wedding anniversaries are generally a good reason for a loving dinner or, in the case of modern royals, at least a set of sweet photos on social media. Yet Princess Caroline’s silver wedding anniversary passes today without any fanfare or any sign of romance.
Third time lucky
Today marks exactly 25 years since Princess Caroline (first of Monaco, now of Hannover) tied the knot with Prince Ernst August. With such a princely bridal couple you might expect a lot of fanfare, endless royals on the guest list and staggeringly expensive jewelry, but that was disappointing.
The couple married in 1999 in a small civil ceremony at the palace in Monaco. Well – Caroline had already had two previous marriages and was pregnant with their daughter, Princess Alexandra. It is understandable that you do not feel like planning such a mega party again.
Marital happiness
In the years after their wedding, all happiness seems to smile on the couple.
They like to float across the dance floor at (one of the many) galas in Monaco, such as here at the Bal de la Rose in 2003:
As a prince, Ernst August also clearly feels at home at all kinds of royal affairs and at the end of 2003 he took a seat in the royal box alongside his wife, brother-in-law Albert, and father-in-law Rainier at an opera performance for Monaco’s National Day.
But over the years the relationship between the two seems to have cooled further and further. In 2009 the two appeared next to each other in public several times, but this is reportedly the year that the two decided to split up. Thus, Caroline returns to Monaco (one title richer, but a few illusions poorer) and Ernst stays behind in one of his villas.
Drama
No, Ernst August and Caroline are never seen together, do not live together and are never with daughter Alexandra at the same time. Yet the Grimaldis have never been in a hurry to cut ties with the infamous Prince of Hanover, even though there are more than enough reasons for this.
More than once, Prince Ernst August made a mistake. He was involved in fights and riots and ended up in hospital due to alcohol abuse. He also regularly appeared in court and, after a major argument, refused to show up at (or even approve of) his son’s wedding. Although the scandals came in quick succession, Princess Caroline never officially ended her marriage.
Parting
However, rumors have been going around for several years that the two will soon finalize their divorce on paper. According to insiders, Prince Ernst August has been completely happy with a new love since the summer of 2021. According to Bild, it concerns the Spanish artist Claudia Stilianopoulos, who does not stand out as a bad match even next to Princess Caroline.
Her parents are extremely wealthy and are said to have been good acquaintances of Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and the Kennedys, among others. If it becomes so serious that Hannover is preparing for a new royal wedding, Princess Caroline will have to say goodbye to her titles and ex.
Small party
With all the baggage surrounding her husband, you would almost forget that today has a special meaning for Princess Caroline. Today is her birthday! A romantic anniversary dinner may not be possible for the princess – a bottle of bubbly and a luxurious cake are of course possible. Congratulations, Your Highness!
Source: Glamial archive, Royal Central, Nouveau | Image: NL Image
