The tensions began with the arrival of Elizabeth, who was born outside of wedlock to Antoinette and her partner, Alejandro Athenase Noghès, an international tennis champion and lawyer. The birth was met with much fanfare as Elizabeth was the first grandchild of Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois, who, as the illegitimate daughter of the then ruling Prince Louis II, was heir presumptive to the throne (she later renounced her rights in favour of her only son, Rainier). However, it was only once Antoinette and Alejandro married in 1951 that Elizabeth was added to the line of succession.
Antoinette and Alejandro welcomed two more children, Baron Christian Louis and Baroness Christine Alix, before divorcing in 1954. Antoinette then began a relationship with Jean Charles Rey, president of the Monégasque parliament.
Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy with her two daughters, Elisabeth-Anne de Massy and Christine Alix de Massy, 1961
Stan Meagher/Getty Images
Together, according to Vanity Fair, Antoinette and Rey hatched a plan to dethrone Rainier, who was unmarried and had no children. They reportedly spread a rumour that his girlfriend, the French actress Gisèle Pascal, was unable to conceive, apparently in the hope the lack of heir would spook parliament into recognising her son, Christian Louis, then just a young boy, as next in line to the throne – and make Antoinette regent until he came of age.
It is thought the rumours partly drove the end of Rainier and Pascal’s relationship. Shortly afterwards, he met Grace Kelly, whom he married in 1956. Kelly, the legendary actress-turned-royal, is credited with convincing her husband to expel his ambitious older sister.
Antoinette went on to marry – then divorce – Rey, before walking down the aisle for a third time with British ballet dancer John Brian Gilpin, who died of a heart attack just six weeks after their 1983 wedding. In between the ups and downs of her colourful love life, Antoinette was readmitted to the court and given a handful of honorary positions.
