Hollywood Stars Who Fell for Royalty

By: Alec Donaldson | Published: Jan 03, 2024

As movie stars begin to climb the social status ladder, they find themselves in the company of some of the world’s most influential people, including billionaires, celebrities, and sometimes even royalty.

Some Hollywood stars can’t help but fall head over heels for a member of a noble family, while others manage to marry them. Here are ten Hollywood celebs who fell for royalty. 

Rita Hayworth

Hollywood star Rita Hayworth was best known for her role in movies under the guidance of beloved film director Alfred Hitchcock. Yet, she also became a princess, albeit for a short period. 

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Actress and dancer Rita Hayworth poses for a portrait circa 1940 in Los Angeles, California

Source: Earl Theisen/Getty Images

The “Gilda” star married Prince Aly Khan in 1949, yet they weren’t destined to ride off into the sunset together. A few short years later, the pair divorced due to ongoing problems.

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly was another famous Hollywood star turned princess. The Philadephia native married the esteemed Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. 

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Rainier III, Prince of Monaco (1923-2005) and Princess Grace of Monaco, wearing a dress by Givenchy, attend the Bal Petits Lits Blancs

Source: Philip Townsend/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

After marrying the Prince, Kelly decided to retire from acting. The pair remained happily married for nearly three decades until her passing in 1982. 

Jessica Chastain

In 2017, after dating Gian Luca Passi de Prepousulo, a member of Italian nobility, for nearly five years, the pair tied the knot.

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Jessica Chastin poses for a photo with her recently won Oscar

Source: @fungifemale/X

Chastain, a two-time Oscar recipient, and her fiance, Gian, were married at the Passi de Preposulo family estate in Northern Italy. According to Gian’s family history, their nobility stretches back over 1000 years, and they still use aristocratic titles to this day. 

Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano

Letizia made a name for herself as a journalist before she met the then-Price of Spain, Felipe VI. When the pair began dating, the Spanish royal family was openly against the relationship. 

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Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano stands beside Prince Felipe as they prepare to say their vows

Source: @JuanAndrsCueva2/X

However, Prince Felipe talked the family into accepting Letizia, which opened up the path for the pair to get married in 2004. Fast forward a decade, and the once prominent journalist became the Queen of Spain. 

Oliva Wilde

In 2003, actress Olivia Wilde became an Italian princess after marrying the respected filmmaker and prince Tao Ruspoli. 

Oliva Wilde poses for a photograph during a recent shoot

Source: @fangirlJeanne/X

While Wilde admits that being a “principessa” certainly had its benefits, it wasn’t enough to hold her relationship with Tao together. Eventually, the actress filed for divorce in 2011. 

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Meghan Markle

News broadcasters and journalists have heavily commented on the relationship of Meghan Markle and the British Prince Harry. Meghan, known best as Rachel Zane from “Suits,” married the prince in 2018. 

Meghan Markle smiles in a cream colored dress as her photograph is taken

Source: @Forbes/X

Unfortunately, their relationship with the British monarchy didn’t always sit well. This may be one of many reasons why the couple officially resigned from the royal family in 2021. 

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Danielle Staub

The reality TV star Danielle Staub, known for her recurring role on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey, ” was set to marry into nobility in 2019, after Oliver Maier asked the TV star to be his wife. 

Danielle Staub attends US Weekly's 2019 Most Stylish New Yorkers red carpet

Source: Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

After the media extensively researched her new man, they discovered he was the descendant of a Duke who lived over seven centuries ago. While the title no longer exists, it would have been out of character to hear Staub referring to herself as “Duchess” had the marriage never happened. 

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Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis is the proud daughter of two Hollywood icons, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. While her family is considered acting royalty, she would become a member of British Nobility thanks to her husband, Christopher Guest. 

Jamie Lee Curtis smiles after receiving an Oscar award

Source: @SilvioG92/X

The comedian inherited the Barony of Haden-Guest from his father. So, this made Jamie Lee Lady Haden-Guest.  

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Casper Van Dien

American actor Casper Van Dien became a prince for nearly two decades. He met and fell in love with an actress, Catherine Oxenberg, best known for her role on “Dynasty”.

Casper Van Dien pictured on set of a new movie alongside Tom Wopat

Source: @most_don/X

Yet, she was also the daughter of Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia. So, technically he was a prince of the Slavic nation until he filed for divorce in 2015. 

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Diane von Furstenberg

Diane Simone Michelle Haffin has made quite the life for herself. The star has done everything from being a famous actress to building a fashion empire. She was even a princess for a while.

Diane von Fürstenberg attends the BoF VOICES Gala Dinner and Party at Soho Farmhouse

Source: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Diane married Germany’s Prince Egon of Fürstenberg in 1969. While the pair technically split in 1972, she kept her former husband’s last name. However, she was excluded from using the title of princess. 

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Sofia Hellqvist

Sofia Hellqvist appeared on “Paradise Hotel,” a popular Fox reality show, before she met the man of her dreams, Prince Carl Phillip of Sweden.

Princess Sofia of Sweden and Prince Carl Philip attend the concert "Christmas in Vasastan" at Gustaf Vasa Church

Source: Iwi Onodera/Getty Images

The model had been dining in a lavish restaurant in 2010 when friends introduced her to the Swedish royalty. Fast forward four years, and the pair announced their engagement before officially tying the knot in 2015. 

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