Royal families have been the focus of gossip, speculation, and widespread media attention for hundreds of years. From the British royals to the lesser-known kings and queens of countries around the world, millions of people find the aristocracy fascinating and compelling.
Although royalty seem to have it all – the fame, the money, and the power – they also experience tragedy. In some cases, murder, betrayal and untimely deaths shake royal families to their core, changing them forever.
Join us as we take a look at some of the most shocking tragedies ever endured by elite rulers and their kin.
Princess Grace of Monaco’s Fatal Crash
Photo by Reg Birkett/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
When America’s favorite actress, Grace Kelly, struck up a romance with Prince Rainier III of Monaco, it seemed like a fairytale come to life. Kelly retired from acting to be a full-time princess when they tied the knot in 1956. The couple went on to have three children together.
Grace was the picture-perfect princess, full of poise and elegance. The people adored her, which made her tragic passing in 1982 all the more painful. While driving back to Monaco with her daughter, Stephanie, Kelly suffered a stroke, causing her to lose control of the car. While she survived the crash along with her daughter, Grace’s injuries from the stroke were too severe. Prince Rainier took his wife off of life support the following day.
