Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies has confirmed her relationship with Jordan Bardella, the 30-year-old president of the French far-right party National Rally. The couple were photographed embracing in a VIP box at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, June 7.
Royal Romance at the Grand Prix
The Italian socialite and the right-wing politician were seen taking selfies and cuddling while watching the race. They were joined by Maria Carolina's sister, Princess Maria Chiara, and her mother, Camilla. Maria Carolina, the Duchess of Calabria and Palermo, wore a white dress and a scarf displaying the Grimaldi family crest.
From Rumors to Confirmation
Rumors of a love affair began earlier this year when the pair were seen together at an event in Paris. They are believed to have first met in Monaco last year and were previously photographed during a trip to Corsica. Both have significant social media followings: Bardella has 2.3 million TikTok followers, while Maria Carolina has about 350,000 across all platforms.
Political Implications
Bardella, considered the "political heir" of Marine Le Pen, will run for the French presidency next year if a court rules in July that Le Pen is ineligible due to a conviction for misuse of EU parliamentary funds. Polls suggest either right-wing candidate would stand a good chance of winning. If Bardella wins, Maria Carolina, a distant descendant of France's Sun-King Louis XIV, would become first lady.
Background of the Princess
Maria Carolina comes from a branch of the House of Bourbon that ruled parts of Southern Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries, though her family's titles hold no authority in Italy. Her godparents include Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon Bonaparte, the current heir to France's imperial legacy. She graduated from Harvard with studies in social sciences, marketing, and management, and is fluent in six languages.
