Monaco still mobilized

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February 24, 1930 

 Monaco's eighty-strong army remained mobilized today following the friction caused by the continuing marital difficulties between Princess Charlotte, the heir to the throne, and her husband, Prince Pierre, reports the Los Angeles Times. No disturbances "were reported." Prince Pierre is popular with the Monegasque population. 

A "mass meeting of voters" instructed Monte Carlo's mayor to convey to the Prince their regret and to "express the real sentiments of the population in this crisis the dynasty is traversing. Both Charlotte and Pierre have filed suits for a marital separation with Monaco's council. The majority of the council have resigned "rather than sit in the case." There are no plans for divorce as the prince and princess are Catholic, but each has said they will seek an annulment of the marriage. 

Princess Charlotte, who is the daughter of Louis II, and the former Count Pierre de Polignac, were married in 1920. They have two children, Princess Antoinette and Prince Rainier.

The AP reports that the Prince and Princess today met at the home of the Duchess of Vendome in Cannes, where they spent time with their children. They also spent an hour discussing their marital difficulties but made no attempt toward a reconciliation. Princess Charlotte will continue her separation suit, which she filed in Nice yesterday, while her estranged husband "elects to abide by the decision of the Monaco Council." 

 There appear to be conflicting reports about the marital situation. Monte Carlo's mayor Eugene Marguet told The Associated Press's correspondent tonight that the Princess' dispute with her husband would "probably never reach the courts." The mayor expected the marriage to be settled by a "civil family agreement." He also believed that Prince Pierre would be named as regent for his son, Prince Rainier." 

"Princess Charlotte has not returned home, as has been reported in the newspapers," the mayor said. "Her whereabouts are unknown, but we think she is in Italy. She cannot sue the Prince, nor he her, outside Monaco. I have discussed the question with Prince Louis this afternoon and believe the matter can be arranged satisfactorily."

 Charlotte's father, Louis II, continues to refuse all requests for interviews. Tonight, his butler told reporters that the Prince was "eating such a fine lobster he couldn't be disturbed over State affairs."