The Princely Family of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock Attend the Celebration of the Festival of Sainte-Dévote

January 27, 2011 Alexandra

Well, it certainly has been quite busy for the Princely family of Monaco and for Miss Charlene Wittstock these past few days, and for royal watchers it has been a treat.

This evening, January 26, 2011, HSH Prince Albert II, Princess Caroline, and Miss Charlene Wittstock attended the celebration of the Festival of Sainte-Dévote, the patron saint of the Princely Family of Monaco, the Monégasques, and the Diocese of Monaco. Sainte-Dévote is also the patron saint of the island of Corsica.

Here is the story/legend of Sainte-Dévote:

Tradition holds that she was a Corsican woman born around 283 AD at Mariana. A young virgin, she had decided to devote herself fully to the service of God. By order of the prefect Barbarus, she was imprisoned and tortured for her faith. She was martyred at Mariana by being stoned to death.

After her death, the governor of the province ordered for her body to be burnt to prevent its veneration. However, it was saved from the flames by Christians. Her body was placed on a boat bound for Africa. Gratianus (Graziano), the boat’s pilot; Benedict (Benenato), a priest; and Apollinaris, his deacon; believed it would receive proper Christian burial there. However, a storm overtook the boat and a dove flew out from the mouth of the saint. The dove guided the boat to present-day Les Gaumates, today part of the Principality of Monaco, where a chapel dedicated to Saint George already stood.

Her body was discovered by fishermen. In her honor a chapel was built, which stands in Monaco still. Traditionally, flowers are said to bloom before their season on January 27, the saint’s feast day.

Today, the Princely family of Monaco along with the Monégasques and members of the Diocese of Monaco take part in a torchlight ceremony in front of the Sainte-Dévote church. A boat is placed in front of the church whereupon the Princely family along with the attendees set the boat ablaze and celebrate.

Pretty cool.

Anyway, this was the first time Charlene Wittstock participated in this sacred event, and by all accounts she seemed to have enjoyed herself.

Monaco Princely Family

Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert II of Monaco:A Night at the Circus

January 26, 2011 Alexandra 4 Comments

So, in a previous post I mentioned that today, January 25, 2011, is Miss Charlene Wittstock’s birthday. She’s 33 years old.

Any who, Charlene spent the day with family, friends, and Prince Albert. Later on in the evening, Charlene attended the 35th Annual International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, Monaco alongside her fiancé, Prince Albert, and HSH Princess Stephanie and her family.

It must have been a great day for the future Princess of Monaco because she was glowing… and I must say… she looks a tad different. I cannot put my finger on it, but Charlene looks different.

Photo courtesy of: Day Life

Monaco Princely Family

Happy Birthday to Charlene Wittstock: The Future Princess of Monaco

January 25, 2011 Alexandra 3 Comments

On January 25, 2011, Miss Charlene Wittstock will celebrate her 33rd birthday.

Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa the 5’11” blonde would become a swimming star in her native homeland. According to the Palais Princier de Monaco, Charlene, “…developed a passion for swimming at a very early age. In 1996, at 18, she won the South African Championship.”

The dedicated and competitive Miss Wittstock was chosen to be apart of the South African Olympic swimming team. Overall, the South African swimming team came in fifth place. Individually, Miss Wittstock never won an Olympic gold medal. However, at the 2000 Marenostrum International Swim Meet in Monaco she did win gold and she gained the attention of one Prince Albert II who was, “…presiding over the international competition.”

Soon, the 5’11” blonde and the Sovereign Prince of Monaco soon began to date.

Seriously.

Six years later she made her first official appearance alongside the Prince at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Soon, the couple were attached at the hip… seen together constantly from official events such as the Monaco Red Cross Ball, the Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco Film Festival, and the Swedish royal wedding.

On June 23, 2010, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco announced to the world that he had asked Charlene to marry him. Of course she said, yes, then he placed a massive diamond ring on her finger and official engagement photos were taken.

It is unknown how Miss Wittstock will spend the day (though she will attend the 35th Annual International Circus Festival in the evening), but what ever she does I am sure she will have a fabulous day with her family, friends, and her fiancé.

So there you have it! Happy Birthday, Charlene! 🙂

Here are some facts about Charlene Wittstock per the Palais Princier de Monaco

Growing up in Africa heightened her awareness of problems linked to childhood.
Ms. Wittstock gave swimming lessons to underprivileged children throughout her career.
She has frequently accompanied His Serene Highness on his travels to support charitable works.
Since 2009, she has been Honorary President of Ladies Lunch Monte-Carlo.
Since 2010, she has been associated with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
She regularly participates in fund raising events for charities such as Amfar.
Surfing is one of her favourite sports as well as hiking up mountains.
Reading biographies and ethnic poetry from South Africa
Contemporary art

Nice photos of the couple for you to gaze upon:

Here is an interview with Miss Wittstock and Prince Albert. Click the link to view: You Tube

Photos courtesy of: Zimbio.com

German Royals, Royal and Princely House of Hohenzollern, Royal Wedding

HIRH Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia and HSH Princess Sophie von Isenburg: New Engagement Photos

January 24, 2011 Alexandra 7 Comments

Well, I have to say that I am happy for this lovely couple. Anyway, the German magazine, Gala, has a new article about Prince Georg and Princess Sophie along with two new engagement photos. Information contained within the article is nothing really new for the seasoned royal watcher; however, I am sure there are some who are unfamiliar with the couple so the article from Gala is a decent CliffNotes version about Prince Georg and Princess Sophie.

Here is a translation:

Germany, along with England and Monaco, in 2011 will have it’s own magnificent and important Royal Wedding. Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia, the 34-year-old leader of the House of Hohenzollern announced, on Friday (January 21, 2011) his engagement to Sophie Prinzessin von Isenburg. The announcement was made through the official web site of the House of Hohenzollern.

The wedding between the Prince and Princess, who have known each other since childhood, will take place later this year and s expected to take place in Potsdam. The House and is currently celebrating 950th anniversary. Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie currently work as business managers. Funny coincidence: While he was training in Freiberg, Germany, she was studying in Freiburg.

The 32-year-old Sophie was born in Frankfurt, the daughter of Franz Alexander, Prince of Isenburg and Christine, Countess of Saurma. She has two brothers – Crown Prince Alexander and Prince Victor – and two sisters, Princess Catherine, who is married to Martin, Archduke of Austria and a son of ex-Emperor Karl I and Empress Zita, and Princess Isabel, a Prince of Wied married.

A potential problem, the young head of the House of Hohenzollern so out of the way: The fact that he married a noble-bred, there is no discussion will be about its position in the House of Hohenzollern. Two older brothers of his father, Louis Ferdinand, Jr could be unethical because of a wedding no successors.A second issue that has not been clarified to the public: Sophie von Isenburg comes from a Catholic family, the Prussian Hohenzollern are traditionally Protestant.

Source: Gala Magazine Photo courtesy of Picture Alliance for Gala Magazine.

Spanish Royals

HRH Princess Letizia of Asturias Attends the Ballet with her Sister: Now With Video

January 24, 2011 Alexandra

So, as you know by now, the lovely Princess Letizia of Asturias attended the ballet with her sister, Telma, last evening.

Anyway, in case you haven’t seen the video from last night, well, here you go: Hola.com

Source: Hola.com

****Credit MUST be given to Clara from Royal Dish for finding the video first. So, Gracias!!! 🙂

Imperial Family of Japan

Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan Attends the 150th Anniversary of the Japan-Germany Amity Treaty

January 24, 2011 Alexandra

This afternoon, January 24, 2011, Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito attended the 150th anniversary of the Amity Treaty between Germany and Japan, “The treaty was signed to establish diplomatic and commercial relations between the two countries.”

During the celebrations Crown Prince Naruhito gave a speech as well as hosted a reception at the National Art Center in Tokyo. Attendees included German Culture Minster Bernd Neumann and the German Ambassador to Japan, Volker Stanzel. Unfortunately, Crown Princess Masako was, once again, absent. Then again, royal watchers never see her unless it’s a balcony appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Such a shame.

To view more images from this event please click the link: Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan

Source and photos courtesy of: Day Life by YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images

British Royals, Royal Wedding

HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton to live in the Late Diana, Princess of Wales’s Home?

January 24, 2011 Alexandra 5 Comments

According to the Telegraph newspaper, it is true. But, as you know by now, dear friends, you should take what the press has to say with a grain of salt.

Anyway, this is what the reporter from the Telegraph has to say about the supposed move:

‘William has let it be known that he wants them to live at Kensington Palace,’ says a courtier. ‘It is where he grew up and he has very happy memories.’

It has been suggested that Kate and William might live at St James’s Palace, but this is dismissed by the courtier. ‘St James’s Palace is dark, dingy and depressing,’ he says. ‘William does not want to live there.’