Grace Kelly of Monaco was one of the most striking actresses of her day — and it seems
like she's left behind a legacy that lives on in her granddaughter, Camille Gottlieb.
The young royal has taken Instagram by storm and gathered hordes of new fans, many of whom
have taken notice both of her uncanny resemblance to her late grandmother and her intriguing
online presence.
So how does Camille fit into the family tree? Well, she's not technically in the line of
succession for the throne of Monaco, because her parents weren't married. Her mother is
Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Grace's youngest daughter, and her father was reportedly a
palace guard named Jean-Raymond Gottlieb. According to Harper's Bazaar, Gottlieb isn't
even on Camille's birth certificate, but Camille openly acknowledges him as her dad on social
media. Camille also has two half-siblings from her mother's relationship and brief marriage
to her former bodyguard, Daniel Ducruet. Camille's sister is fashion designer Pauline Ducruet,
and her brother, Louis Ducruet, is a talent scout for a soccer club.
While Camille may never rule Monaco, she's certainly ruling the social media game — and
seems to possess the same remarkably regal features that defined her famous grandmother,
who jumped from being an Oscar-winning American actress to a beloved European monarch back
in 1956.
Grace Kelly herself was undoubtedly a Hollywood legend. The American actress was born in Philadelphia
and rose to fame in the 1950s, thanks in part to Alfred Hitchcock casting her in Dial M
for Murder and in Rear Window. She won an Academy Award for The Country Girl in 1955,
but almost as quickly as she had risen to fame in Hollywood, the actress dashed off
to Europe to become a princess.
Her title, upon marrying Prince Rainier III, was Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of
Monaco. But Grace wasn't just to become any old princess, forgotten in the dusty archives
of a dwindling European dynasty. She essentially became the princess, and her elegant fashion
and glamour became known around the world. In 1955, clothing companies even used her
figure to create their mannequins.
"Only because it's expected of her. It's right off the Paris plane. D'you think it'll sell?"
And Grace's style remains influential today. According to People magazine, British royal
Kate Middleton channeled Grace Kelly's style not just for her wedding dress but on many
other regal occasions as well, opting for lace and higher necklines.
Sadly, Grace Kelly died in a car accident in 1982, but as her daughters and granddaughters
grew up, fans of the iconic princess have marveled at the resemblance they bear to the
Hollywood legend. These include Camille's mother, Princess Stephanie, who is the youngest
of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III's three children, and who herself has enjoyed
a career as a singer, swimwear designer, and fashion model.
Camille is very aware of the similarity to her legendary grandmother, and is flattered
when people compare her to Princess Grace. In an interview with Point de Vue, she explained:
"Every time my mother tells me about her, it's to say what an extraordinary woman and
what an exemplary mother she was."
While it must be tough living in the shadow of her famous grandmother, Camille Gottlieb
has nonetheless carved out a fascinating life. In fact, without a throne to worry about,
she was free to run off and join the circus — literally. Camille traveled in a circus
caravan from 2001 to 2004, while her mother was in a relationship with an elephant trainer.
At the time, Camille's mother Princess Stephanie had taken an interest in theater and rhythmic
gymnastics. Camille clearly caught the travel bug too, because she reportedly ventured to
Asia to work with baby tigers.
While she boasts an impressive following on Instagram, this well-connected royal seems
to enjoy staying out of the spotlight. She did, however, get behind the mission of "Be
Safe Monaco," a campaign against drunk driving that she founded after losing a friend in
an accident.
As she continues to grow up, it's likely the world will see much more of Camille Gottlieb
— and the remarkable face that has made her an Instagram star.
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