She was the sister of Louise de Mérode and maternal aunt of Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo, for three years Queen of Spain.

Thanks to her generous dowry, Prince Charles III was able to finance the embellishment of Monte Carlo in order to attract wealthy tourists to the principality.

[3] Known by the title Duchess de Valentinois in Paris, she became a popular member of the high society life of Second French Empire.

She was present at French court during the state visit of Queen Victoria of Great Britain in 1855, during which she and her mother-in-law reportedly decided to arrange a marriage between her son Albert and a member of the British royal house, plans which eventually lead to the marriage between Albert and Lady Mary Victoria Douglas-Hamilton.

[6] Antoinette de Merode died on 10 February 1864 in Paris (aged 35) and was interred in the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, Monaco.