Pierre de Polignac
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Count Pierre Marie Xavier Raphael Antoine Melchior de Polignac (24 October 1895 - 10 November 1964), was son of Count Maxence de Polignac (1857-1936) and his Mexican-born Spanish wife, Susana de la Torre y Mier (1858-1913). He is best known for having been the father of Rainier III of Monaco.
Because a female Grimaldi of the princely house of Monaco could inherit the throne only if her husband was also a Grimaldi, Pierre de Polignac became Prince Pierre Grimaldi, Comte de Polignac on 18 March, 1920, the day before his religious marriage. He also acquired, via marriage, the title of duc de Valentinois.
He married civilly 18 March 1920 in Monaco Princess Charlotte of Monaco, née Charlotte Louise Juliette Louvet, the legitimated daughter of Louis II of Monaco and his mistress, Marie Juliette Louvet. They were judicially separated on 20 March, 1930 at Paris, and divorced by ordinance of Prince Louis II on 18 February, 1933. The Count and his wife had two children, Princess Antoinette of Monaco (b. 1920) and Rainier III of Monaco.
Following her divorce, Princess Charlotte took up residence at Château de Marchais, the Grimaldi family home near Paris, with René Gigier, one of France’s most infamous jewel thieves. She died in 1977.
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