When recalling the men in the life of Princess Caroline of Monaco, two names come to mind immediately: Stefano Casiraghi, her great love with a tragic ending, and Ernst of Hanover, her last husband, with whom she has not lived since 2009 but has never formally divorced. However, in the 1990s, Grace Kelly’s eldest daughter had another passionate romance that stirred up plenty of gossip. Her chosen one was the charismatic and talented French actor Vincent Lindon. The actor, who turned 66 last July, had just ended a similarly intense, decade-long relationship with Claude Chirac, daughter of President Jacques Chirac. But his fairy tale with the Monegasque princess, unfortunately, did not get a happy ending.
Rumors of a secret marriage
In September 1995, Voici magazine stunned the public with the news that Vincent Lindon and Caroline of Monaco had secretly married in Provence. The report claimed that the modest ceremony was attended by the actor’s mother, model Inès de la Fressange, and even his former love Claude Chirac. The story seemed believable — after all, Caroline does have an estate in Saint-Rémy, and at the time, rumors of an impending wedding were everywhere. However, as it later turned out, the much-anticipated ‘I do’ never happened.
A few months earlier, the couple had made their relationship official by appearing together at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. Their romance had begun three years prior. It seemed history was repeating itself: just as her father, Prince Rainier, fell in love with actress Grace Kelly, Caroline found happiness with someone from the world of cinema. But the idyll was destined to be short-lived.
A Sudden Breakup
Just a few weeks after the story about the fake wedding was published, Carolina decided to cut all ties abruptly. People close to Vincent later recalled that he had to leave literally overnight. Soon after, the princess sent him a box with all his belongings. The actor’s brother later remarked that Vincent had been genuinely committed and deeply involved in this relationship. He felt empty and disappointed when he realized that, for Carolina, their romance did not carry the same weight, and her feelings were not as strong.
Devastated by the painful breakup, Vincent Lindon threw himself into work. Two years later, while filming ‘Seventh Heaven,’ he met his future wife and the mother of his daughter, actress Sandrine Kiberlain. Fate gave him a new chance at happiness. They married in 2003, but their marriage ended five years later. His next partner was Chiara Mastroianni, daughter of film legends Catherine Deneuve and Marcello Mastroianni. The irony was that the spark between them came when Lindon played Deneuve’s lover in the film ‘Beloved Mother-in-Law.’
A New Life and an Unexpected Connection Across Generations
Their relationship lasted until 2013. It was only in May 2022, at the Cannes Film Festival where he chaired the jury, that the actor officially introduced his new partner, Cécile Duffaut, with whom he remains happy to this day. The young woman began her career in private banking but later founded a micro-donation association focused on projects in healthcare, child welfare, and environmental protection. Vincent actively supports her initiatives.
Recently, Lindon and his former wife, Sandrine Kiberlain, proudly learned that their daughter Suzanne was shortlisted for the 2026 César Award in the ‘Most Promising Actress’ category. This award is the French equivalent of Spain’s Goya. Last year, Vincent himself received the Volpi Cup for Best Actor in Venice. At 25, Suzanne has already earned recognition at home. She made her directorial and acting debut in 2020 with the film ‘Sixteen Springs,’ for which she wrote the script herself. Interestingly, Suzanne has a close friendship with Alexandra of Hanover, the youngest daughter of Caroline of Monaco. The two share a passion for fashion and are often seen together at high-profile social events.
For reference, Caroline, Princess of Monaco and Princess of Hanover, is the eldest daughter of Prince Rainier III and Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. She is first in line to the throne of Monaco after her brother, Prince Albert II, and his children. Her life has always been under close media scrutiny, especially her marriages. Her first, to banker Philippe Junot, ended in divorce and was later annulled by the Vatican. Her second marriage, to Stefano Casiraghi, brought her three children—Andrea, Charlotte, and Pierre—but ended tragically with his death in 1990. In 1999, she married Prince Ernst August of Hanover, head of the House of Hanover, and gave birth to a daughter, Alexandra. Although the couple has not lived together for more than fifteen years, they are not officially divorced, and Caroline retains the title of Princess of Hanover. She is known for her charitable work and is regarded as a style icon.
