It has been 21 years since the death of Prince Rainier of Monaco, who passed away at 81 on April 6, 2005, from heart and kidney failure compounded by a lung infection.
He was a monarch who defined an era, and his legacy remains deeply embedded in the Grimaldi family. Reigning for nearly 56 years, one of the longest in European history, he transformed the tiny principality into the luxury destination and international reference it is today, a feat accomplished through his visionary leadership.
To honor her grandfather, Camille Gottlieb, daughter of Princess Stéphanie, shared a never-before-seen photograph of herself as a child alongside Prince Rainier, offering a tender glimpse into their special bond.
The intimate image shows grandfather and granddaughter sharing what appears to be a breakfast or tea. They sit together at a table adorned with an assortment of sweets.
Camille, around three or four years old, wears multiple pigtails tied with several elastics. She looks at her grandfather attentively in the profile shot, a scene brimming with affection and poignancy.
© Pascal Le SegretainIn a September 2023 interview with Point de Vue, Camille Gottlieb revealed that her grandfather was wonderful, protective, funny, and attentive, and revealed they had lunch every Wednesday at the Palace, just the two of them.
She explained that she would arrive dressed as a little marchioness and usually asked for pasta with tomato sauce, ravioli, or minced meat with pepper sauce. Camille added that if they could not have lunch due to his busy schedule, Papoune, as the family affectionately called him, always found a moment to see her.
© MirrorpixFor the sister of Louis and Pauline Ducruet, every moment with her beloved Papoune was precious. She recounted a memory from her childhood when she lost her favorite stuffed bunny.
She revealed that her grandfather, who hated seeing her sad, asked the Palace laundress to make an exact replica from one of his shirts. Camille shared that when he gave it to her, she was overjoyed and that she still keeps a little piece of it carefully in an envelope.
© SC Pool – CorbisShe reflected that they all loved him deeply, just like the Monegasques, and that her grandfather did much for the Principality, showing that Monaco was worth visiting.
Camille is Princess Stéphanie’s youngest daughter. Although she is Prince Rainier’s granddaughter and resembles the iconic Princess Grace Kelly more than anyone else in the family, she holds no royal title and is not in the line of succession, as her parents never married.
© –Her striking resemblance to her legendary grandmother has made her a spotlight figure at galas and on social media. Beyond her influence online, Camille is known for her philanthropic work.
She founded Be Safe Monaco, a nonprofit raising awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence, following the tragic loss of a friend. She is also actively involved in animal protection causes.
As demonstrated by this tender photo with her grandfather, Camille is deeply family-oriented. Despite not holding a royal title, she supports her uncle, Prince Albert, at numerous official engagements.
© PLS Monaco PoolShe shares a close bond with her mother and siblings and maintains a strong relationship with her father, Jean Raymond Gottlieb. Their connection was evident in October 2025 during the E-Rally of Monte Carlo, when the two embraced warmly.
Though Jean Raymond prefers to stay out of the public eye, he currently serves as the chief commander of Monaco’s Internal Intelligence Division. His last public recognition was seven years ago when Prince Albert honored him for his police service.
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