A Lovely Ladies Lunch With Charlene Wittstock: UPDATE!

March 17, 2011 Alexandra 7 Comments

Today at the Hotel Metropole in Monte-Carlo the future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, attended a charity luncheon cleverly entitled, Ladies Lunch. Miss Wittstock is the honorary President of this organization so it is her duty to show up looking fabulous as always, and to pretend that she is actually interested in talking with the other old ladies at this event. I don’t know how she does it, but I give her props for having to spend ~~three hours~~ one hour with bored 50+ year-old women whose husbands are probably having affairs with hot Russian supermodels.

I’m kidding.

Well, only slightly.

Anyway, the Ladies Lunch, founded by Baroness Cécile de Massy in 2004, is actually a great charity organization. You see, they usually raise a significant amount of money for various organizations such as the Académie de Danse Princesse Grace, charities for the children in Monaco and other “…Monegasque charity associations…” At the end of today’s event the Ladies Lunch raised 28,000 Euros (roughly $39,000+) which will be donated to the Académie de Danse Princesse Grace.

To view lots of photos from today’s charity event please click the link: Photos galore

To watch a long video from the event which includes an interview with the future Princess of Monaco please click the link here. Scroll down until you see the title Ladies Lunch. Miss Wittstock’s interview begins at the 7:40 mark.

To learn more about Ladies Lunch please click the link: Ladies Lunch Monte Carlo and The Riviera Woman

Photos courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Photo Agency

**Update and Correction! I have received a lovely email message from The Ladies Luncheon Monte Carlo board member, Madame Celina Lafuente de LaVotha, who kindly informed me that the future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, participated at this event for only one hour. She also informed me that she was none to pleased with the group photo backdrop, either.

So, thank you Madame de LaVotha for your information and may your next Ladies Lunch charity event be just as successful as today’s. Oh, and since you asked me a very personal question: Yes, I am taken. Happily. 🙂

Again, thank you Madame de LaVotha for you inside information. I appreciate it very much. 🙂

British Royals

H.R.H. Prince William of Wales In Christchurch, New Zealand

March 17, 2011 Alexandra

After last month’s devastating 6.3 earthquake that left Christchurch, New Zealand in shambles H.R.H. Prince William of Wales toured the city, which he described the damage as “unbelievable” on March 17, 2011.

According to the British newspaper, The Telegraph, Prince William met with various rescue workers and toured several quake damaged sites:

Driving through the city streets that had been reduced to rubble by the powerful earthquake, the Prince was visibly shocked by the extent of the destruction.

After stopping off at the Christchurch Cathedral, which has lost its spire and is now surrounded by metal scaffolding, and passing the Grand Chancellor Hotel, the city’s tallest building which is leaning dangerously and will have to be demolished, he told Des Bull, an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) engineer: ‘It’s just the scale of it is unbelievable.’

‘When you see buildings like that….that’s very very sad. It really does bring it home to see it leaning like that.’

To read the article in its entirety as well as to watch a video clip please click the link: The Telegraph

Another article and video from the BBC News and ABC News Australia

Photo courtesy of: ABC News Australia by AFP

Belgian Royals

Their Majesties King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium Visit Maldegem

March 17, 2011 Alexandra

This afternoon Their Majesties King Albert and Queen Paola visited the East Flemish town of Maldegem, Belgium. Though the visit went well, the royal couple were met with 20 or so protesters who advocate Flemish independence from Belgium.

According to the online Belgian newspaper, Niewsblad.be:

The royal couple were met by Mayor John De Roo and the board of Aldermen were they were received in the House Wallyn. The East Flanders Governor Andre Denys and Defence Minister Pieter De Crem were also present.

The royal couple were given a memento and signed the Golden Book. After a brief visit they were then greeted by the people of Marktstraat. Later on, Her Majesty Queen Paola visited the Woon- en zorgcampus Begijnewater home and care campus. The visit ended with a reception at the local sports Meos.

To view photos as well as to read more about the royal visit to Maldegem please click the link: Nieuwsblad.be

Source and photo courtesy of: Nieuwsblad.be by Belga