Charlotte Casiraghi was beaming when she attended the Gucci Masters press conference in Paris on Wednesday. Her infectious smile and knowing look probably had a lot to do with the fact that she is about to become an auntie for the first time. Earlier this week, Tatiana Santo Domingo showed off her baby bump at a fashion event in Madrid, and in doing so, the fiancée of Charlotte's elder brother Andrea confirmed rumours that the Grimaldi family are preparing to welcome a new arrival.
The happy development will have particular resonance for Charlotte – as a long-time friend of Tatiana Santo Domingo's, she was the one who introduced her brother to the woman who would become his wife and the mother of his child. Her niece or nephew will be third in line to the throne given that her uncle, Prince Albert, 53, does not yet have any children with wife Charlene. However, succession will be the last thing on the Monegasque royal's mind, as she will be too busy enjoying this special period before becoming a first-time aunt. Charlotte's own personal life is also looking particularly rosy of late. Her relationship with charismatic French actor Gad Elmaleh is going from strength to strength and things have been progressing nicely since the 41-year-old wooed Princess Caroline's daughter following her split from British gallery owner, Alex Dellal. In the summer, Charlotte, 26, even hopped on a plane to Canada to support her man on promotional rounds for his latest film, The Capital. For his part, Gad – who is of Moroccan descent – joined his girlfriend on a cruise with her mum and family, a move which showed Princess Caroline has accepted her daughter's romance.
Gad's rugged looks and thespian credentials make him an interesting addition to the Grimaldis' close knit set. He is well known in his native France for starring in films such as Hors de Prix, a comedy with Audrey Tautou, a sort of Pretty Woman for the Noughties. He has also appeared in international movies such as Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris. When Charlotte isn't nurturing their fledgling romance, she returns to her other love – horse-riding. Her appearance at the Gucci Masters press conference was just the latest in a long line of engagements with the riding competition. In Gucci Masters, 12 teams – consisting of a professional and an amateur – battle it out to complete the course in the fastest time. The keen horsewoman regularly competes and wears riding gear designed exclusively for her by the Italian fashion house.
In early spring, Gucci confirmed to French Elle that Charlotte would be extending their collaboration, replacing True Blood actress Evan Rachel Wood as the new face of their label. The stylish Monegasque sweetheart certainly has the credentials for the job. As the daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, and the grand-daughter of Grace Kelly, she has an innate sense of style. Gucci's creative director Frida Giannini in the past admitted that the 26-year-old was one of her personal fashion icons, saying: "She is the modern royal whose effortless elegance defies contemporary style".