Princess Antoinette's funeral to be held on Thursday

Princess Antoinette of Monaco will be buried on Thursday (24.03.11).

The Mediterranean royal - the aunt of Prince Albert, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie - died last Thursday (17.03.11) at the age of 90 following years of ill health, and a service will be held at the Peace Chapel of Monaco's Cathedral, followed by a private ceremony for family.

Antoinette was well known as a colourful member of Monaco's royals and was at one point banned from the principality for planning to overthrow her brother, Prince Rainier III.

However in recent years the princess - who was also Countess of Polignac and Baroness of Massy - was allowed to return for state occasions, and two weeks of state mourning have been declared after her death.

Antoinette was heavily involved in animal rights and was the president of Monaco's Society for the Protection of Animals.

She was married three times, firstly to international tennis player Alexandre-Athenase Noghes, which ended in divorce after just three years, secondly to Dr Jean-Charles Rey, for 13 years and finally to John Gilpin, who died after six weeks of matrimony.

She is survived by her three children, Elisabeth Anne, Christian Louis and Christine Alix.