Princess Maria Carolina of Italy says she’s “lucky to be alive” after she crashed headfirst into a wall in a harrowing accident while riding her motorcycle.
The 21-year-old royal revealed that she had been hospitalized and is on the road to recovery as she suffered major injuries in the accident.
“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,” the royal wrote on Instagram.
The princess said her helmet likely prevented her injuries from being much more severe.
“I wanted to share my own experience as I’ve realized now more than ever that motorcycles are powerful and thrilling but also unforgiving. Please ride with care. Wear full protection, especially a proper helmet. Mine saved my life.”
The Italian royal, who is the Duchess of Calabria and Palermo in Sicily, also included several images of herself in the ICU following the crash.
Maria Carolina also thanked the hospital and medical staff who had looked after her.
“My deepest thanks to the outstanding team at Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace for their expert care during those critical days, and to the emergency medical team and first responders on the scene,” she wrote to her 172,000 followers on the platform.
“Whose quick and decisive actions in those first moments made all the difference.”
Days before the accident, Princess Maria attended the Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, where she posed for pictures with several athletes, including F1 star Lando Norris.
The week before, she walked the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
“An incredible honor to walk the red carpet at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony,” she wrote on Instagram alongside several snaps from the glamorous evening.
Maria Carolina is the eldest daughter of Prince Carlo, the Duke of Castro and his wife, Princess Camilla, the Duchess of Castro.
Her younger sister, Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, is 20 years old and carries the additional titles of Duchess of Noto and Capri.
Maria made her debut film appearance in 2014 in the Grace Kelly biopic, titled “Grace of Monaco,” starring Nicole Kidman.
In 2019, the princess made her societal debut at the grand Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris. During the ritzy — and exclusive — evening, Maria was accompanied by Prince Léopold of Nassau, the son of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg.
