Jordan Bardella, a leading figure in France’s far-right political landscape, is reportedly in a relationship with Italian socialite Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. The revelation emerged from celebrity magazine Paris Match, which featured the couple prominently on its cover.
The magazine’s coverage presents what appears to be a carefully orchestrated unveiling, featuring recent photographs of Bardella and the princess on holiday in Corsica. The headline accompanying these images declared, “The idyll that no one expected.”
Whispers of a romantic connection between the two have been in circulation since January. Their presence together at a Paris event commemorating the 200th anniversary of Le Figaro newspaper first fueled these rumors. However, Bardella, who is 30 years old and serves as the president of the Rassemblement National (RN) party, had previously evaded direct questions about his private life. He consistently stated that his personal affairs represented his “last space of liberty.”
The Paris Match report suggests a strategic decision has been made to publicize the relationship. This development occurs as Bardella’s potential candidacy for the French presidency next year looms. His eligibility for the presidential race depends on a court ruling in July concerning Marine Le Pen, the historic party leader, and her potential ineligibility due to a conviction for the misuse of EU parliamentary funds. Current polling indicates that either RN candidate could present a strong challenge in the election.
Political commentators have noted the significance of Bardella clarifying his personal life ahead of a presidential campaign. Clarity on this aspect, including who might accompany him as a potential First Lady, is seen as important. An additional consideration raised by commentators is the RN’s potential need to address any early public resentment from less affluent voters regarding their leader’s association with a member of the ultra-wealthy aristocracy.
Princess Maria Carolina, who also holds the titles Duchess of Calabria and Palermo, is 22 years old. She is the daughter of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro. Prince Carlo is one of two individuals vying for leadership within the royal house of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a dynasty that governed Sicily and southern Italy during the 19th century before losing its throne with the unification of Italy. Although her title carries no legal standing in the modern Italian Republic, Maria Carolina is a distant descendant of Louis XIV, often referred to as France’s “Sun King.”
According to her official website, Maria Carolina spent her formative years in Rome, Monte Carlo, and Paris. She is currently described as being “actively involved in cultural, social, and humanitarian initiatives that reflect her family’s heritage and values.” She also engages in creative and philanthropic projects alongside her sister, Princess Maria Chiara. Proficient in six languages, she maintains a significant presence on social media with over 350,000 followers and expresses a keen interest in the fashion industry. Following her father’s abolition of the historical Salic law, which traditionally favored male heirs, she is positioned to become the next head of her royal house.
Paris Match’s narrative accompanying images of the couple walking hand-in-hand and navigating rocky terrain offers a lyrical portrayal, suggesting they are “reinventing courtly love – 21st Century-style.” The publication describes them as an “incredibly atypical” couple, noting the contrast between a politician from “the ranks of the people” and a princess from “the highest reaches of the nobility.” The magazine highlights her upbringing amidst the affluence of Paris, Rome, and Monaco, juxtaposed with his status as an individual who, without inherited privilege, has achieved prominence through sheer determination. Bardella’s origins are noted as a council flat in Saint-Denis, a Parisian suburb, placing him within a French tradition of figures who rise through will rather than birthright.
The magazine further reports their initial meeting occurred in Monaco during the Grand Prix last May, an event Bardella attended with his father, who is a racing enthusiast. It is worth noting that Paris Match is owned by Bernard Arnault, a French billionaire and head of the LVMH luxury goods conglomerate.