Line of succession to the Monegasque Throne
Encyclopedia
The line of succession
to the Monegasque throne passes to the descendants of the reigning Prince of Monaco
in accordance with male-preference primogeniture
. The line of succession was most recently and notably modified by a constitutional change implemented by Princely Law 1.249 of 2 April 2002.
, the eldest son of the incumbent inherits the throne, or the eldest daughter if there are no sons. Should the reigning Prince die without legitimate offspring, the succession passes through the Prince's siblings and their legitimate descendants using the same male-preference rule. If a would-be successor dies or renounces the succession, the succession nevertheless passes to his or her own legitimate descendants using the same male-preference rule. The next in line of succession is known as the Hereditary Prince(ss) of Monaco
.
If these rules fail to produce an heir, a council of regency takes power until the Crown Council
selects a new reigning prince from among the more distant descendants of the House of Grimaldi
. Only persons with Monegasque nationality are eligible.
All of the above would be moved down the list if Albert II were to father a legitimate child.
which eliminated that concern.
Until 2002, the reigning Prince could adopt an heir who would succeed him if the Prince died without biological children. Prince Albert could thus have adopted one of his nephews, or even someone unrelated, and made the person his heir. That option no longer exists. Now, if Prince Albert II fails to marry and father a legitimate heir, the crown will automatically pass to one of his sisters or one of their children—also regardless of any illegitimate children he has fathered.
Thus, someone born to unmarried parents, like Princess Stéphanie's youngest child Camille Gottlieb, cannot inherit the crown of Monaco as they are considered illegitimate. Such a person can succeed, however, if their parents subsequently marry. One example is Louis Ducruet
. He was born out of wedlock. But because Princess Stéphanie later married Louis' father, Daniel Ducruet
, Louis is now considered legitimate. Therefore he is in line and can potentially assume the throne.
Similarly, Louis' half-sister Camille Gottlieb would be legitimated and could join the line of succession if her father is confirmed to be Jean-Raymond Gottlieb and he married Princess Stéphanie. However, this scenario appears unlikely as Princess Stéphanie ended her relationship with Gottlieb some time ago.
Although this rule, called legitimation
, has become the norm in the case of ordinary inheritance
s (for example, the property of commoners) it appears that Monaco
is the only monarchy
to apply it for succession to the throne.
. At such time, he would receive the traditional titles of the heir to Monaco's throne, becoming HSH Hereditary Prince Andrea of Monaco, Marquis of Baux
. Andrea would also then assume the dynastic
Grimaldi
surname
.
After the succession of Prince Albert, his aunt Princess Antoinette
and her descendants lost their places in the line of succession. Similarly, upon the succession of any future legitimate child of Prince Albert, Princesses Caroline and Stéphanie and their children will cease to be in the line of succession. Nevertheless, if the line of succession through Albert II should fail at some future time, Princesses Caroline and Stéphanie and their descendants along with the descendants of Princess Antoinette would be eligible for selection by the Crown Council
.
Order of succession
An order of succession is a formula or algorithm that determines who inherits an office upon the death, resignation, or removal of its current occupant.-Monarchies and nobility:...
to the Monegasque throne passes to the descendants of the reigning Prince of Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
in accordance with male-preference primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
. The line of succession was most recently and notably modified by a constitutional change implemented by Princely Law 1.249 of 2 April 2002.
Rules of succession
Under the constitution of MonacoConstitution of Monaco
The Constitution of Monaco, first adopted in 1911 after the Monegasque Revolution and heavily revised by Prince Rainier III on December 17, 1962, outlines three branches of government, including several administrative offices and a number of councils, who share advisory and legislative power with...
, the eldest son of the incumbent inherits the throne, or the eldest daughter if there are no sons. Should the reigning Prince die without legitimate offspring, the succession passes through the Prince's siblings and their legitimate descendants using the same male-preference rule. If a would-be successor dies or renounces the succession, the succession nevertheless passes to his or her own legitimate descendants using the same male-preference rule. The next in line of succession is known as the Hereditary Prince(ss) of Monaco
Hereditary Prince of Monaco
The Hereditary Prince' of Monaco is the title given to the heir apparent or heir presumptive of the Monegasque throne. Traditionally, a male Hereditary Prince is also given the title Marquis of Baux...
.
If these rules fail to produce an heir, a council of regency takes power until the Crown Council
Crown Council of Monaco
The Crown Council of Monaco is a seven-member administrative body which meets at least twice annually to advise the Prince of Monaco on various domestic and international affairs. It is one of three such councils designated by the Principality's Constitution, the other two being the National...
selects a new reigning prince from among the more distant descendants of the House of Grimaldi
House of Grimaldi
The House of Grimaldi is associated with the history of the Republic of Genoa and of the Principality of Monaco.-History:The Grimaldi family descends from Grimaldo, a Genoese statesman at the time of the early Crusades. He might have been a son of Otto Canella, a consul of the Republic of Genoa in...
. Only persons with Monegasque nationality are eligible.
Current line of succession
Current Monarch: Albert IIAlbert II, Prince of Monaco
Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco is the head of the House of Grimaldi and the ruler of the Principality of Monaco. He is the son of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and the American actress Grace Kelly...
- HRHRoyal HighnessRoyal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
The Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of MonacoCaroline, Princess of HanoverCaroline, Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco , formally styled Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover , has been heiress presumptive to the throne of Monaco since 2005, a position which she previously held from 1957 to 1958.She is the wife of...
, elder sister of the PrinceAlbert II, Prince of MonacoAlbert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco is the head of the House of Grimaldi and the ruler of the Principality of Monaco. He is the son of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and the American actress Grace Kelly... - Andrea CasiraghiAndrea CasiraghiAndrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi is the first of three children born to Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and her second husband, Stefano Casiraghi, an heir to an Italian oil fortune. His maternal grandparents were Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and Princess Grace...
, elder son of the Princess of Hanover and Stefano CasiraghiStefano CasiraghiStefano Casiraghi was an Italian sportsman, heir, socialite and businessman. He was the son of Giancarlo Casiraghi and wife Fernanda Palici, and became the second husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco.-Early life:... - Pierre CasiraghiPierre CasiraghiPierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi is the younger son of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and her second husband, Stefano Casiraghi....
, younger son of the Princess of Hanover and Stefano CasiraghiStefano CasiraghiStefano Casiraghi was an Italian sportsman, heir, socialite and businessman. He was the son of Giancarlo Casiraghi and wife Fernanda Palici, and became the second husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco.-Early life:... - Charlotte CasiraghiCharlotte CasiraghiCharlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi is the second child of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco, and the late Stefano Casiraghi, an Italian industrialist. She is fourth in line to the throne of Monaco...
, daughter of the Princess of Hanover and Stefano CasiraghiStefano CasiraghiStefano Casiraghi was an Italian sportsman, heir, socialite and businessman. He was the son of Giancarlo Casiraghi and wife Fernanda Palici, and became the second husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco.-Early life:... - HRH Princess Alexandra of Hanover, daughter of the Prince and Princess of Hanover
- HSHSerene HighnessHis/Her Serene Highness is a style used today by the reigning families of Liechtenstein and Monaco. It also preceded the princely titles of members of some German ruling and mediatised dynasties as well as some non-ruling but princely German noble families until 1918...
Princess Stéphanie of MonacoPrincess Stéphanie of MonacoPrincess Stéphanie of Monaco, Countess of Polignac is a member of the princely family of Monaco. She is the youngest child of Grace, Princess of Monaco and Rainier III of Monaco, and the sister of Albert II of Monaco and Princess Caroline...
, younger sister of the Prince - Louis DucruetLouis DucruetLouis Robert Paul Ducruet is the son of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and Daniel Ducruet, a former Palace bodyguard....
, son of Princess Stéphanie and Daniel DucruetDaniel DucruetDaniel Ducruet is the former husband of HSH Princess Stéphanie of Monaco from 1995 until 1996.Ducruet was born in Beausoleil, Alpes-Maritimes to Henri Ducruet, a manual laborer, and Maguy, a housewife... - Pauline DucruetPauline DucruetPauline Grace Maguy Ducruet is the daughter of HSH Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and Daniel Ducruet...
, daughter of Princess Stéphanie and Daniel DucruetDaniel DucruetDaniel Ducruet is the former husband of HSH Princess Stéphanie of Monaco from 1995 until 1996.Ducruet was born in Beausoleil, Alpes-Maritimes to Henri Ducruet, a manual laborer, and Maguy, a housewife...
All of the above would be moved down the list if Albert II were to father a legitimate child.
Recent history of the line of succession
The following nine people formerly occupied the ninth through seventeenth places in the line of succession (from 2002, with the new succession rules), but lost their positions upon Prince Albert II's succession to the throne, as succession only passes to the siblings and descendants of the current Prince, and not those of his parents:- Christian de MassyChristian Louis de MassyChristian Louis, Baron de Massy is a member of the extended Monegasque Princely Family. He is the son of Princess Antoinette of Monaco, Baroness de Massy and her then lover Alexandre-Athenase Noghès....
, eldest son of Princess Antoinette, cousin of Albert II - Antoine de Massy, younger son of Christian de Massy, first cousin once removed of Albert II
- Laetizia de Massy, daughter of Christian de Massy, first cousin once removed of Albert II
- Jonkheer Sylvestre de Brouwer (b. 2008), grandson of Christian Louis de Massy, second cousin of Albert II (b. 2008)
- Jonkvrouw Rose de Brouwer, granddaughter of Christian Louis de Massy, second cousin of Albert II (b. 2008)
- Elisabeth-Anne de MassyElisabeth-Anne de MassyElisabeth-Anne de Massy was born in Monaco on 13 January/13 July 1947 to Princess Antoinette of Monaco and her then lover Alexandre-Athenase Noghès. She is a first cousin of the reigning Prince Albert II and niece of Rainier III. She is the godmother of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco...
, daughter of Princess Antoinette, cousin of Albert II - Jean-Léonard Taubert-Natta, son of Elisabeth-Anne de Massy, first cousin once removed of Albert II
- Mélanie de Lusignan, daughter of Elisabeth-Anne de Massy, first cousin once removed of Albert II
- Keith Sebastian Knecht, son of the late Christine de MassyChristine Alix de MassyChristine Alix de Massy was born to Princess Antoinette of Monaco and her then lover Alexandre-Athenase Noghès. She is a first cousin of the reigning Prince Albert II and niece of Rainier III...
, first cousin once removed of Albert II - Andrea Knecht, son of Keith Sebastian Knecht, first cousin twice removed of Albert II
- Christine Knecht, daughter of Keith Sebastian Knecht, first cousin twice removed of Albert II
- Alexia Knecht, daughter of Keith Sebastian Knecht, first cousin twice removed of Albert II
- Vittoria Knecht, daughter of Keith Sebastian Knecht, first cousin twice removed of Albert II
2002 changes
Until 2002, the crown of Monaco could only pass to the direct descendants (including adopted children) of the reigning prince. This meant that Princess Antoinette was not in the line of succession and that Princesses Caroline and Stéphanie would lose their places in line at the moment of Prince Albert's succession. This created considerable concern that the throne might fall vacant should Prince Albert inherit the crown and then die without fathering (or adopting) a legitimate heir. In 2002, changes were made to the Constitution of MonacoConstitution of Monaco
The Constitution of Monaco, first adopted in 1911 after the Monegasque Revolution and heavily revised by Prince Rainier III on December 17, 1962, outlines three branches of government, including several administrative offices and a number of councils, who share advisory and legislative power with...
which eliminated that concern.
Until 2002, the reigning Prince could adopt an heir who would succeed him if the Prince died without biological children. Prince Albert could thus have adopted one of his nephews, or even someone unrelated, and made the person his heir. That option no longer exists. Now, if Prince Albert II fails to marry and father a legitimate heir, the crown will automatically pass to one of his sisters or one of their children—also regardless of any illegitimate children he has fathered.
Legitimation
With the 2002 changes, for a biological descendant to be added to the line of succession and potentially succeed to the throne now, his or her parents must have been legally married at the time of the child's birth, or have subsequently married.Thus, someone born to unmarried parents, like Princess Stéphanie's youngest child Camille Gottlieb, cannot inherit the crown of Monaco as they are considered illegitimate. Such a person can succeed, however, if their parents subsequently marry. One example is Louis Ducruet
Louis Ducruet
Louis Robert Paul Ducruet is the son of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and Daniel Ducruet, a former Palace bodyguard....
. He was born out of wedlock. But because Princess Stéphanie later married Louis' father, Daniel Ducruet
Daniel Ducruet
Daniel Ducruet is the former husband of HSH Princess Stéphanie of Monaco from 1995 until 1996.Ducruet was born in Beausoleil, Alpes-Maritimes to Henri Ducruet, a manual laborer, and Maguy, a housewife...
, Louis is now considered legitimate. Therefore he is in line and can potentially assume the throne.
Similarly, Louis' half-sister Camille Gottlieb would be legitimated and could join the line of succession if her father is confirmed to be Jean-Raymond Gottlieb and he married Princess Stéphanie. However, this scenario appears unlikely as Princess Stéphanie ended her relationship with Gottlieb some time ago.
Although this rule, called legitimation
Legitimation
Legitimation or legitimization is the act of providing legitimacy. Legitimation in the social sciences refers to the process whereby an act, process, or ideology becomes legitimate by its attachment to norms and values within in given society...
, has become the norm in the case of ordinary inheritance
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies...
s (for example, the property of commoners) it appears that Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
is the only monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
to apply it for succession to the throne.
Future succession
Under the 2002 succession rules, if Prince Albert II dies without legitimate offspring, the throne will pass to his sister, Princess Caroline. If Princess Caroline were to receive the throne in this manner, her eldest son Andrea would become the heir apparentHeir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
. At such time, he would receive the traditional titles of the heir to Monaco's throne, becoming HSH Hereditary Prince Andrea of Monaco, Marquis of Baux
Marquis of Baux
Marquis of Baux is one of the Prince of Monaco's many titles. When possible, the title passes from the reigning Prince to the first male heir apparent or heir presumptive of the Monegasque throne. Although the present Sovereign Prince of Monaco is Albert II, he doesn't have a male heir to the...
. Andrea would also then assume the dynastic
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
Grimaldi
House of Grimaldi
The House of Grimaldi is associated with the history of the Republic of Genoa and of the Principality of Monaco.-History:The Grimaldi family descends from Grimaldo, a Genoese statesman at the time of the early Crusades. He might have been a son of Otto Canella, a consul of the Republic of Genoa in...
surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
.
After the succession of Prince Albert, his aunt Princess Antoinette
Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy
Princess Antoinette of Monaco, Countess of Polignac, Baroness of Massy was a non-dynastic member of the princely family of Monaco and the elder sister of Prince Rainier III and aunt of Albert II, Prince of Monaco...
and her descendants lost their places in the line of succession. Similarly, upon the succession of any future legitimate child of Prince Albert, Princesses Caroline and Stéphanie and their children will cease to be in the line of succession. Nevertheless, if the line of succession through Albert II should fail at some future time, Princesses Caroline and Stéphanie and their descendants along with the descendants of Princess Antoinette would be eligible for selection by the Crown Council
Crown Council of Monaco
The Crown Council of Monaco is a seven-member administrative body which meets at least twice annually to advise the Prince of Monaco on various domestic and international affairs. It is one of three such councils designated by the Principality's Constitution, the other two being the National...
.
See also
- Constitution of MonacoConstitution of MonacoThe Constitution of Monaco, first adopted in 1911 after the Monegasque Revolution and heavily revised by Prince Rainier III on December 17, 1962, outlines three branches of government, including several administrative offices and a number of councils, who share advisory and legislative power with...
- List of rulers of Monaco
- List of heirs to the Monegasque throne
- Monaco Succession Crisis of 1918Monaco Succession Crisis of 1918The Monaco Succession Crisis of 1918 arose because France objected to the prospect of a German national inheriting the throne of Monaco, a nation which neighboured France on its Mediterranean coast. Albert I, Sovereign Prince of Monaco had only one legitimate child, the Hereditary Prince Louis,...
External links
- Constitution de la Principauté including succession rules (in French)