3 days ago
Princess Carolina de Bourbon involved in near-fatal motorcycle crash as Italian heiress, 21, says she's 'lucky to be alive'
Princess Carolina de Bourbon has said she is 'incredibly lucky to be alive' after the Italian heiress was rushed to hospital following a motorcyle accident.
Carolina, who turned 21 last year, took to Instagram earlier this evening to share a series of photos of herself at a hospital in Monaco as she urged her followers to 'wear a helmet' while riding a bike, adding: 'Mine saved my life.'
Princess Carolina is the daughter of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro - who holds a claim to the now defunct throne of the former House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies - and Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro.
On Wednesday, she posted several snaps on Instagram, including one that showed her lying in a hospital bed with a neck brace.
Another showed her undergoing what appears to be an electroencephalogram (EEG) test that measures electrical activity in the brain, in the aftermath of the accident that occurred when Carolina 'crashed headfirst into a wall' while riding her bike.
'I'm incredibly lucky to be alive,' she began the caption of her post. 'I crashed headfirst into a wall whilst riding a motorcycle and ended up in reanimation in the Intensive Care Unit.
'Surviving this was nothing short of a miracle,' she added.
The Italian socialite, who was in Monaco for the 2025 Grand Prix, said she wanted to share her experience so that people understand that motorcyles are as 'unforgiving' as they are 'thrilling'.
She urged her followers to 'ride with care' and wear a 'proper helmet'.
'Mine saved my life,' she continued, before thanking her medical team at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace for their 'expert care during those critical days' after she was brought in.
The Italian socialite also praised the first responders on the scene 'whose quick and decisive actions in those first moments' after the accident 'made all the difference'.
Several of her followers rushed to the comments section to wish Carolina a speedy recovery, as one person wrote: 'I hope you get better soon. Please be careful.'
Another said: 'I wish you a quick recovery.'
A third translated comment read: 'I'm so sorry and get well soon may god protect you.'
It comes after Carolina documented her trip to Monaco for this year's Grand Prix on Instagram.
Her post included a photograph with British F1 racer Lando Norris, who cruised to victory at the Grand Prix, as well as snaps alongside her mother Camilla and her younger sister, Princess Chiara de Bourbon.
Before flying to Monaco, Carolina dazzled the French Riviera as she walked the red carpet at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony on May 15.
The Italian heiress will turn 22 in July, with Carolina ringing in her 21st birthday with a lavish celebration in Sardinia last year.
Taking guests to the Cervo Hotel at the Costa Smeralda Resort in Sardinia, Carolina partied the weekend away dipping in and out for the pool before getting dressed up for the evening celebrations.
A four-tiered cake, atop with sparklers, cherries and piped icing was served before a fireworks display, while guests danced with sparklers in front of a sign that read 'Happy Birthday Carolina', dozens of balloons and a tank of exotic fish.
Carolina and her younger sister Chiara have become well-known in aristocratic circles for their lavish parties and fashionable looks at events.
Their father Prince Carlo holds a claim to the now defunct throne of the former House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a cadet branch of the Spanish royal family, which descends from the Capetian Dynasty and ruled over Southern Italy and Sicily during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Meanwhile, their mother, Duchess Camilla, born Crociani, is the daughter of Italian industry Tycoon Camillo Crociani and the actress Edy Vessel.
