During his time as an officer of the colonial troops in Algeria,
Louis of Monaco, Prince Albert I's only son, meets the beautiful Marie Juliette. He falls in love at first sight in the good girl
from a simple background, working as a laundress for his regiment
- So the official version. An odd couple, but at least between
a Grimaldi and a hardworking laundress. But there is one other
variant.
Normandy-born, Marie Juliette Louvet, divorced from a photographer of erotic images, lives with her two children in Paris. When she meets the Monegasque crown prince, she works in a cabaret in Montmartre, as a cancan dancer. The two fell in love, and when Louis joined in 1890 the French Afrika Korps and was ordered to go to Algeria, she accompanied him.
But no matter which story is true, the love between the two
young people is great - and yet it has no chance of a future!
Prince Albert I will never accept a commoner as daughter in law.
Louis and Marie Juliette are aware of it. However, it is very likely - even if it Grimaldi's deny it - that Louis married the woman he loves, without the permission of his father.
Married or not - they lived happily 8 years together. On 30th of September 1898 in Constantine/Algeria, she gave birth to a daughter Charlotte Lousie Juliette.
Once again, Louis is fighting for the official recognition of his small
family - for nothing. Prince Albert is not ready, to accept the mother, nor the child. The prince is suffering greatly from the
growing estrangement with his father, but is unwilling to abandon his wife and daughter. Prince Albert is angry and confused at the same time. When his only son continues to refuse to enter into a befitting marriage, and Louis does not give a heir, this means that
according to an old law, Monaco would be automatically part of France. And this should not happen. Prince Louis declared that he has a daughter, and the succession line is safed.
The dispute took years. Albert is 63, Louis 41 years old, when the
Prince finally gave in. Obviously he has no hope for other heirs, so her recognized his unloved granddaughter as heir. But just if Louis and Charlotte seperate from "shady" Marie Juliette and never see her anymore. The couple decided after many days that they will agree. Saying goodbye was heartbreaking for her.
Marie Juliette went then to London to have a new life.
After the death of Albert I. she returned to Paris. It is not known whether she and Louis have seen each other ever again. With her daughter, she seems however to have contact trhough letters. A postcard from London to Miss Charlotte of Monaco, shows: "My little Lolo .."
Marie died in September 1930 in Paris. And Louis? He succeeds in 1922, after the death of his father, the Monegasque throne and has already massive economy problems. Due the First World War, the income of Casinos, the main source of the Principality, declined substantially.
In addition, France and Italy also now allowed gambling and Monaco lost the exclusivity.
Louis made his tiny state into a tax haven, Monaco survives through difficult time. The prince is relieved - but not happy.
He still misses his great love. To escape from the loneliness, sixteen years after Marie Juliette's death, he marries the actress Ghislaine Dommanget, with whom he lives three years together. Prince Louis II died in May 1949 the next in line of succession is his daughter Charlotte, but gives the crown to Rainier her son. The crown, which her parents rescued and sacrificed their luck.
Sorry Emmi, that I post it only now. I hope it´s okay
