Princess Maria Carolina, Duchess of Calabria

Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria and 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 of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, the disputed head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

Early life and education Maria Carolina was born in Rome on 23 June 2003 to Camilla Crociani, an Italian socialite and heiress, and Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, the disputed head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Her maternal grandmother is the actress Edy Vessel. Her paternal grandfather was Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro. She is the older sister of Princess Maria Chiara. Her paternal aunt is Princess Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. She is a first cousin of Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoléon. Maria Carolina was baptized in the Palatine Chapel of the Royal Palace of Caserta. Her godfather is Prince Laurent of Belgium, younger brother of King Philippe of Belgium.

Maria Carolina grew up between Paris, Monte Carlo, and Rome. She was homeschooled, following the International Cambridge Educational System and regulations set in place by the National Centre for Distance Education, supervised by the Department of Education of Monaco. Maria Carolina is a patroness of Rokethon, a Monaco-based charity for abandoned dogs. She was dressed by Ralph & Russo for the event, and escorted by Prince Léopold of Nassau, son of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg.

In October 2024, she attended the opening of Christie's Asia Pacific Headquarters in Hong Kong.

Personal life Maria Carolina is fluent in six languages: Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Russian.

In May 2025, Princess Maria Carolina was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle crash in Monaco. She was saved by the helmet she was wearing and was later treated at Princess Grace Hospital Centre.

Since spring 2026, she has been in a relationship with Jordan Bardella, president of the French far-right political party National Rally.

Honours Dynastic House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies: 50px 2018: Dame Grand Cross of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. 50px 23 June 2021: Dame of the Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Januarius. National

Foreign 2018: Red Cross of Monaco.