Charlotte Casiraghi celebrates her 30th birthday

Happy Birthday Charlotte Casiraghi! Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi was born on August 3, 1986, at Princess Grace Hospital. She is the second child of Princess Caroline of Hanover and the late Stefano Casiraghi, an Italian industrialist.

On August 3, 1986, at Princess Grace Hospital, 29-year-old Princess Caroline of Monaco and her husband of almost three years, Stefano Casiraghi, welcomed their second child, Charlotte Marie Pomeline. Thought by many to be the love of Caroline's life, Stefano was handsome, charismatic and the son of a wealthy Italian industrialist.

Like her brothers, the mother's didn't receive a royal title, taking instead her father's last name. In making this decision, her mother presumably hoped Charlotte, named after her grandfather Prince Rainier's mother, would be able to lead a normal life, escaping the difficulties associated with being a princess.

Charlotte Casiraghi is a private citizen, but occasionally attends official functions in Monaco, such as a fundraising gala for AMADE Mondiale and Nelson Mandela's foundation in September 2007. In 2006, she made her debut appearance at Monaco's Rose Ball (in French: Bal de la Rose), which also raises money for the Princess Grace Foundation. Since childhood, she and her brothers have made regular appearances with their family on occasions such as the Monaco National Day and the Monaco Grand Prix. Princess Caroline has, however, tried to minimize publicity in spite of increasingly intensive coverage by the mass media, especially in Europe.

At the age of 16, Charlotte Casiraghi was named number ten on a list of the world's most eligible young women. Vanity Fair, selected Charlotte Casiraghi as one of the International Best Dressed List of 2006. Casiraghi is often photographed at fashion shows, art exhibits, and equestrian events.