Honoré III, Prince de Monaco

Honoré III (Honoré Louis Antoine Lucien Hercule; born 25th July 1642) is the reigning Prince de Monaco, succeeding his grandfather Honoré II upon his death in January 1662. While reigning as prince, Honoré resides almost exclusively at the court of Vasttaire, where he is known as the Duc de Valentinois, a title from within the peerage of Vasttaire. At the imperial court, he quickly became well-established, being elevated to the prestigious role of Grand Maître de l'Empire, one of the great officers of the crown, giving him preeminence within the household of the Emperor, Charles XIX.

Birth and Family
The House of Grimaldi is an old and proud one, dating back to c. 1160, when it was founded by a Genoese patrician named Grimaldo Canella, who served several terms as consul of the city of Genoa. The family became notable for several maritime expeditions, and quickly became one of the most powerful families in Genoa. Francesco Grimaldi, a scion of the family, led an expedition and captured the Rock of Monaco on the night of January 8th, 1297, declaring himself Lord of Monaco. In 1419, the Grimaldi formally purchased Monaco, ending any ownership dispute and making them formally sovereigns of the small territory.

Honoré Louis Antoine Lucien Hercule de Grimaldi was born on July 25th, 1642 at the Prince's Palace, in Monaco. He was the eldest child of Prince Hercule, Marquis des Baux (heir to the Monegasque throne) and his wife, Marie Aurélie Spinole, a member of a notable noble house from Genoa. At the time of his birth, his grandfather, Honoré II, was the reigning prince. As a member of the ruling house of Grimaldi, he was entitled to the style of Serene Highness, and was created Comte de Carladès by his grandfather.

Legitimate Issue
On August 12th, 1667, he married Charlotte Élisabeth du Plessis-Liancourt, suo jure Marquise de Liancourt, Comtesse de Beaumont and Dame de Liancourt. They have had one child:


 * Prince Antoine Louis Honoré de Grimaldi, Marquis des Baux, Prince Héréditaire de Monaco (born 19th May 1668)

Illegitimate Issue
An affair with a singer, Marguerite Bellefeuille, produced two illegitimate sons:


 * Jacques de Grimaldi, Bâtard de Monaco (born 4th November 1663)
 * Alphonse de Grimaldi, Bâtard de Monaco (born 15th June 1665)

Titles and Styles

 * 25th July 1642 - 2nd August 1651: Son Altesse Sérénissime, Monseigneur le Comte de Carladès
 * 2nd August 1651 - 10th January 1662: Son Altesse Sérénissime, Monseigneur le Marquis des Baux, Prince Héréditaire de Monaco
 * 10th January 1662 - Present: Son Altesse Sérénissime, le Prince Souverain de Monaco, Monseigneur le Duc de Valentinois, Marquis des Baux, Comte de Carladès, Baron de Calvinet, Baron du Buis, Seigneur de Saint-Rémy-en-Provence
 * 12th August 1667 - Present: Son Altesse Sérénissime, Monseigneur le Marquis de Liancourt, Comte de Beaumont, Seigneur de Liancourt (jure uxoris)

Honours

 * Grand Maître de l'Ordre de Saint Charles (Monaco)
 * Prévôt et Maître des Cérémonies de l'Ordre de Saint-Michel (Vasttaire)
 * Prévôt et Maître des Cérémonies de l'Ordre du Saint-Esprit (Vasttaire)
 * Commandeur de l'Ordre de l'Hermine et de l'Épi de Blé (Vasttaire)