Louis II 11th Prince of Monaco, last of the Matignon family. Date of Birth: 12.07.1870 Country: Monaco

1. Biography of Louis II
2. Early Life and Military Career
3. Reign and World War II
4. Succession and Later Life

Biography of Louis II

Louis II, the 11th Prince of Monaco, was the last member of the Matignon family to hold the title. He was born to Albert I (1848-1922) and Mary Victoria Douglas-Hamilton (December 11, 1850 - May 14, 1922), the daughter of the 11th Duke of Hamilton and the granddaughter of the Grand Duke of Baden. Louis was born at the Baden court and maintained close ties with his German relatives until the outbreak of World War I.

Early Life and Military Career

When Louis was 10 years old, his parents divorced, and he went to live with his stepfather in Germany. However, he was soon forced to return to Monaco to prepare for his future duties as the Prince. Due to strained and cold relations between him and his father, Louis once again left Monaco and went to France, where he enrolled in the Saint-Cyr military academy. After completing his studies, he joined the French Foreign Legion in Algeria, where he met a cabaret singer whom he passionately fell in love with. Knowing that his father would not approve of this marriage, Louis did not marry her. He served in the French army, achieved the rank of brigadier general, and became an officer of the Legion of Honor.

Reign and World War II

In 1922, after his father's death, Louis ascended to the throne as the Prince of Monaco. During World War II, he unsuccessfully tried to maintain neutrality. Monaco was occupied twice, first by Italy and then by Germany. Although those to be arrested were warned in advance, Louis' policy in this regard was indecisive and caused outrage among his successor, René, a staunch anti-fascist.

Succession and Later Life

The absence of male heirs posed a threat of dynastic crisis in Monaco. Faced with the threat of French occupation if the throne were passed to the closest male heir, Wilhelm von Urach, in 1919, Louis acknowledged his illegitimate daughter, Charlotte, who married French aristocrat Count Pierre de Polignac (1895-1964) a year later. He received the title of Prince de Polignac in Monaco. In 1946, Louis married French actress Ghislaine Dommanget (1900-1991) and moved to France. After his death, his daughter Charlotte renounced her rights to the throne in favor of her son, and René III became the new Prince of Monaco.