| Princess Maria Carolina | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duchess of Calabria andPalermo | |||||
| Born | (2003-06-23)23 June 2003 (age 22) Rome, Italy | ||||
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| House | Bourbon-Two Sicilies | ||||
| Father | Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro | ||||
| Mother | Camilla Crociani | ||||
| Occupation | socialite, model, social media influencer | ||||
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Extended royal family
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Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria, Duchess of Palermo (Italian:Maria Carolina di Borbone delle Due Sicilie; born 23 June 2003) is an Italian socialite, model, and social media influencer. She is the eldest daughter and heiress ofPrince Carlo, Duke of Castro, the disputed head of theHouse of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.
Maria Carolina was born inRome on 23 June 2003 to Camilla Crociani, an Italian socialite and heiress, andPrince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, the disputed head of theHouse of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.[1][2] Her maternal grandmother is the actressEdy Vessel, Countess Vitalini. Her paternal grandfather wasPrince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro. She is the older sister ofPrincess Maria Chiara.[3]
She grew up between Paris,Monte Carlo, and Rome.[4] Maria Carolina was homeschooled, following the International Cambridge Educational System and regulations set in place by theNational Centre for Distance Education, supervised by the Department of Education of Monaco.[5] She went on to study at theInternational University of Monaco,Harvard University, and theIstituto Marangoni.[4][6]
Maria Carolina is an ambassador for the Passion Sea Project, a nonprofit organization that focuses on ocean conservation.[7] She is also involved in charitable work with theInternational Red Cross and theWorld Wide Fund for Nature.[4]
In 2014, she made a cameo appearance in biographical drama filmGrace of Monaco.[7][5] She modeled forChopard,Louis Vuitton, andPucci.[7][5] Maria Carolina is a patroness of Rokethon, a Monaco-based charity for abandoned dogs.[4]
In 2016, following her father's abolishment ofSalic law, she became the heiress apparent to the headship of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.[8][5]
In 2019, she was presented tosociety atle Bal des débutantes in Paris.[9][10] She was dressed byRalph & Russo for the event, and escorted by Prince Léopold of Nassau, son ofPrince Guillaume of Luxembourg.[9]
Maria Carolina is asocial media influencer, with large followings onInstagram,YouTube, andTikTok.[5][6]
In October 2024, she attended the opening ofChristie's Asia Pacific Headquarters inHong Kong.[8]
Maria Carolina is fluent in six languages; Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Russian.[7]
In July 2024, she hosted a lavish 21st birthday party at the Cervo Hotel atCosta Smeralda inSardinia.[7]
In May 2025, Princess Maria Carolina was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle crashing inMonaco. She was saved by the helmet she was wearing and was later treated atPrincess Grace Hospital Centre.[11]
House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies:
2018: Dame Grand Cross of Justice of theSacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.[12][13][14]
23 June 2021: Dame of theIllustrious Royal Order of Saint Januarius.[15]
Italy:
2018: Gold Medal of theItalian Red Cross.[16]