Some info on rainer's father
Count Pierre Marie Xavier Raphael Antoine Melchior de Polignac (
24 October 1895 -
10 November 1964), was son of Count Maxence de Polignac (
1857-
1936) and his Mexican-born Spanish wife, Susana de la Torre y Mier (
1858-
1913). He is best known for having been the father of
Rainier III of Monaco.
Because a female Grimaldi of the princely house of Monaco could inherit the throne only if her husband was also a Grimaldi, Pierre de Polignac became Prince Pierre Grimaldi, Comte de Polignac on
18 March 1920, the day before his religious marriage. He also acquired, via marriage, the title of duc de Valentinois.
He married civilly
18 March 1920 in
Monaco Princess Charlotte of Monaco, née Charlotte Louise Juliette Louvet, the legitimated daughter of
Louis II of Monaco and his mistress,
Marie Juliette Louvet. They were judicially separated on
20 March 1930 at Paris, and divorced by ordinance of Prince Louis II on
18 February 1933. The Count and his wife had two children,
Princess Antoinette of Monaco (b.
1920) and
Rainier III of Monaco.
Following her divorce, Princess Charlotte took up residence at
Château de Marchais, the Grimaldi family home near Paris, with
René Gigier, one of France’s most infamous jewel thieves. She died in
1977.