Like her late grandmother, Princess Grace of Monaco, Charlotte Casiraghi has been the picture of elegance since her birth 29 years ago today (Aug 3). Born in Monte Carlo to parents Princess Caroline and Stefano Casiraghi, Charlotte is eighth in line to the Monegasque throne and one of the world’s most fashionable royals.
Charlotte has quickly carved out an impressive career complete with international acclaim and prestigious awards. The first official face of Gucci cosmetics looks just as cool and sophisticated sitting front row at Fashion Week as she does when riding high on thoroughbreds, competing in prestigious horse-jumping competitions around the world. But her most important role to date came in December 2013, when Charlotte and partner Gad Elmaleh welcomed their first child, a son named Raphaël.
Charlotte and Gad started dating in 2011 after meeting at a party, but didn’t step out as a couple until 2013, when the French comedian accompanied his lady love to Monaco’s glitzy Rose Ball. They put split rumours to rest in June when they were spotted enjoying a family holiday in Saint-Tropez.
©Last September, the French beauty wowed the fashion industry with the release of her first beauty campaign for Gucci, shot by famed lensmen Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The breathtaking ads captured Charlotte’s natural beauty and piercing blue-grey eyes, which Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini has said clinched the royal the ambassadorship. “To me, the eyes are always the most important, because with your eyes you can really interact with people,” she told Style.com.
When she’s not hobnobbing with fashion elite like Kate Moss and heiress pal Margherita Missoni or living out her equestrian dreams, Charlotte is at home with her son and beloved family. She is extremely close with her mother, brothers Andrea and Pierre, sister-in-law Tatiana Santo Domingo and younger sister Princess Alexandra of Hanover. She also has a special bond with her uncle and godfather, Prince Albert, and his wife Princess Charlen.
To mark her birthday, Hello! looks back at 10 memorable moments when Charlotte left us with nothing to say but "wow!"