Fiona Tomarchio
Books

Princess Caroline reveals what Grace Kelly was like as a mother

Princess Caroline, the eldest daughter of Prince Rainier of Monaco and Grace Kelly, has gotten candid for a new book and revealed what is was really like growing up with the screen star from Hollywood’s golden age as her mother.

The eldest child of the Monaco royal family, Caroline and her younger brother, Prince Albert, have opened up about their childhood in new book Albert II of Monaco, The Man and The Prince, by Isabelle Rivere and Peter Mikelbank – and written in honour of Prince Albert turning 60 in March this year.

The siblings have shared intimate details on the early years of their lives with their parents, with Caroline revealing one particular meaningful figure and influence during their childhood – their nanny, Maureen Wood.

“For my brother and I, Maureen was a key figure in our life,” Caroline told People.

“When we were little, we were probably closer to our nanny than to our parents.”

The royals were so attached to their nanny when they were young, that Princess Caroline and Prince Albert would beg Wood not to go whenever she left for her annual holiday during the summer.

“We were sad for days,” Caroline admitted.

“Most often than not, our mother would end up calling her to ask her to come home earlier than planned.”

The revealing new book also shares a sweet anecdote about Princess Caroline, Prince Albert and Wood, who was also interviewed for the tome.

One night when Prince Rainier and Kelly were out of town attending a royal wedding, their nanny let the children throw their own “gala dinner” at the Palace.

“The Chef cooked a special menu, Caroline wore one of her mother’s gowns, Albert wore a uniform, and I wore a gown too,” Wood recalled.

“Then we put on music and we danced.”

Despite reports the prince and princesses had a rocky childhood, all three of Kelly’s children have respectfully carried on their mother's legacy of humanitarian work through the Princess Grace Foundation.

Tags:
Royals, Monaco, Grace Kelly, Prince Albert, Prince Rainier, Princess Stephanie, Princess Caroline