On Sunday evening the Palais Princier de Monaco announced that Miss Charlene Wittstock, the fiancée to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, has converted to Catholicism. According to TF1 News:
‘Miss Charlene Wittstock who professes the Christian faith, has been admitted by free and personal choice into full communion with the Catholic Church,’according to a statement from the palace
Good for her.
On March 4, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, arrived in Ireland this afternoon and were soon greeted by the President, Mary McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain in “…Dublin’s Phoenix park.” After a 21-gun salute, national anthems played, the royal couple along with their hosts signed a welcome book.
According to the Irish newspaper, The Independent:
Government officials have said the visit will reflect the long-standing ties between Ireland and Monaco and underline the potential for future co-operation in business, environment, research, education, tourism and culture.
The prince was introduced to the Irish reception party which included Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Ireland’s ambassador to Monaco Paul Kavanagh, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and Defence Forces’ Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean McCann.
He also met the children from St Joseph’s, before attending a private meeting with President McAleese, her husband, Ms Wittstock, Mr. Kavanagh, and Monaco’s honorary counsel in Dublin Howard Kilroy.
Prince Albert then planted an Irish oak in the garden of the Aras, accompanied by President McAleese and the school children.
He left for his next engagement at the Garden of Remembrance in central Dublin with a motorcycle escort.
Security was tight around the Garden of Remembrance, a memorial garden in Dublin’s north inner city which honours the memory of all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom.
Albert was greeted by Defence Minister Alan Shatter and walked the length of the garden past the cross-shaped water feature with Lt Gen McCann. His fiancee followed, escorted by Brigadier General Dennis Murphy.
The prince stumbled slightly as he walked up the steps towards the large sculpture based on the theme of the Children of Lir. (Independent.ie,)
This state visit will last three days and the royal couple will have a packed schedule. More information is coming through the news wire so stay tuned.
To read more about the arrival of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, please click the links: Irish Times, Independent.ie, and The Independent
To view the many photos from today please click the links: Photos galore, photos, and more.
Source: The Independent Photo courtesy of: Day Life via Reuters by Cathal McNaughton
Tomorrow (or rather today) in Ireland, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, officially begin their state visit to the emerald island. According to the Press Association, the couple will be officially greeted by:
President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese will formally welcome the Prince at Aras an Uachtarain tomorrow morning and kick-start a series of engagements in Dublin.
After the official greeting, a bunch of air kissing, hand shaking, and head nods the princely entourage and Irish politicians will have a lovely lunch at Iveagh House. After lunch there will be a meeting “…between the Taoiseach and Prince Albert in Government Buildings.” (MS) It is unknown what Miss Wittstock will do, perhaps shopping or meeting the locals, but one this is for sure… there will be loads of photos of her doing something. Or, not.
Anyway…
The purpose of the visit, according to the Irish government news service, Merrion Street, is to:
…strengthen relations between Ireland and Monaco and help to explore the undoubted opportunities for increasing trade, tourism and investment links between the two countries.
Source: Press Asscociation and Merrion Street.ie Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Bauer Griffin
Chasing the Royals: The Media and The Monarchy is an interesting yet very creepy documentary, by John Curtin, that recently aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The film focuses on the relationship between the British royal family and their BFFs… the paparazzi and the tabloid magazines.
I sense a 2011 Oscar nomination for best documentary next year. Pfft.
Anyway…
Click the link to watch and cringe: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, and Part Ten.
Or, if you happen to live in Canada you can watch the entire program here.
Image courtesy of: Throng.ca
It’s Sunday and you know what that means… it’s time for the weekly royal news and activities wrap-up with the Dutch program, Blauw Bloed.
In this episode, the program covers the official visit of T.R.H.s Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands to Vietnam (with an exclusive interview with the royal couple), Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands attending an opening of a building in Arnhem, Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain at a zoo in Madrid where she hangs out with cute and cuddly Pandas, Empress Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visiting the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark meeting and chilling with admirable as well as brave soldiers in Afghanistan, Their Majesties King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium cruising in Germany, Prince Peter Griffin (aka Laurent the Entitlement Queen) of Belgium and a report about yet another one of his stupid antics that annoys everyone on planet Earth, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in Spain, and much, much more.
Please click the link where it says Prinselijk Paar Bezoekt Vietnam: Enjoy!
Yesterday, March 30, 2011, H.R.H. The Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg met with various members from the Heads of Customs Administration of the European Region of World Customs Organization at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
Looking dashing with his beard and smart suit the heir to the Grand Ducal throne entertained and spoke with the members of the WCO. To learn more about this event as well as to view a photo please click the link: Cour Grand Ducale de Luxembourg
Source: Cour Grand Ducale de Luxembourg
On March 31, 2011, at the Royal Mausoleum of Hawai’i in Honolulu, Hawai’i members of the Princess Ka’iulani Project as well as international researchers and well-known scholars will hold a tribute and remembrance ceremony for the late Princess of Hawai’i starting at 6pm Hawai’i time. Various bands will play including Hamish Douglas Burgess of the Maui Celtic. After the service, the participants will part-take in a roundtable discussion about the Princess.
To learn more about the incredible and lovely Princess Ka’iulani as well as to learn more about the amazing people at the Princess Ka’uilani Project please click the link: Official Website
Photo courtesy of: The Princess Ka\’iulani Project
The Royal Correspondent 