Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène of Monaco are mourning the unexpected death of Antoine de Massy, a second cousin to the sovereign, who was found dead at the age of 29 in the principality. The tragic discovery occurred on Sunday evening, October 25, when authorities recovered his body in a green space along the Boulevard du Larvotto, according to local reports corroborated by regional media outlets including Gala.
The alarming situation began when family members raised concerns after Antoine de Massy failed to arrive for a traditional Sunday family gathering. Within hours of the alert, search efforts led to the grim discovery on the boulevard. In an official statement issued on Monday afternoon, the royal palace confirmed the profound sorrow felt by the Prince and Princess. Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène noted with sadness the death of Antoine de Massy at the age of 29, the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the older sister of Prince Rainier III,
the palace declared, extending sincere condolences to the bereaved family during what officials described as a painful time.
Antoine de Massy occupied a unique place within the extended lineage of the Grimaldi family. As the grandson of Princess Antoinette, who passed away at 90, and the son of Baron Christian de Massy, 77, and Cécile Gelabale, 58, he maintained close historical ties to Monaco’s ruling house. During his youth, he was recognized as a tennis talent, a passion that prompted his family to temporarily relocate to Florida so he could train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy with aspirations of becoming number one and competing in the Olympics. In his adult life, while largely maintaining a low profile within Monte Carlo’s high-society circles, he co-founded Instant Tech, an enterprise designed to build digital applications for local businesses and leisure services. One of his final high-profile public appearances took place in November 2025 during the traditional Te Deum service celebrating Monaco’s National Day.
Police Detain Person of Interest in Death Inquiry
Monaco’s public prosecutor’s office immediately initiated a judicial inquiry to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the young man’s death. Investigators reviewed footage from surveillance cameras, which ultimately directed law enforcement toward an individual who had been near the location where the body was discovered. On Monday morning, police detained the person of interest, and interrogations remain ongoing to clarify the sequence of events. Prosecutors emphasized that no potential scenario—ranging from an accident and third-party involvement to failure to render assistance—has been ruled out while forensic examinations and police interviews continue.
The sudden loss has reverberated deeply across the principality, plunging the royal family into profound grief as investigators work to piece together the final hours of the 29-year-old entrepreneur’s life. Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the ongoing interrogation or the definitive medical cause of death pending the conclusion of the judicial process.
