H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Institut Océanographique de Paris

June 21, 2011 Alexandra

On June 21, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was in Paris to take part in the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Institut Océanographique de Paris:

…founded in 1906 by Monaco’s Prince Albert I as ‘Institut Oceanographique, Foundation Albert I, Prince de Monaco’. It consists of two institutions: the actual oceanographic institute based in Paris is utilised by everyone interested in the oceans, and is a place for exchange between researchers and students. The second institution is the oceanographic museum, located on the rocks of Monaco. Prince Albert I originally established it to protect his collections, as well as for scientific research. However, nowadays the museum is famous for its high standards, its historic collections and its world-renowned aquaria. (source)

According to the French newspaper, Le Express, “…Prince Albert II launched a plea for the defense of the oceans, ‘a fragile world’ threatened by climate change and overfishing… “ Very true.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here. And, photos galore.

To learn more about the Institut Océanographique de Paris please click the link here.

Dutch Royal Family

H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Attends a Conference

June 21, 2011 Alexandra

On June 21, 2011, H.R.H. Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the Social Performance Task Force conference this afternoon in Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) hosted by the Netherlands Platform for Microfinance.

According to the official website for the European Microfinance Network, the Social Performance Task Force consists of:

…850 leaders from all over the world from every microfinance stakeholder group: practitioners, donors and investors (multilateral, bilateral, and private), national and regional networks, technical assistance providers, rating agencies, academics and researchers, and others. Created in March 2005, the Task Force has been charged with clearly defining social performance and addressing questions about measuring and managing social performance. (source)

To view photos of the awesome princess please click the link here.

Source: European-microfinance.org

Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl

Monaco Princely Family, Royal documentaries

Another Television Documentary About H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Charlene WIttstock

June 21, 2011 Alexandra

Here is the documentary by the German network, ZDF, about H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Charlene Wittstock. So far the program is well done; commentary from Charlene’s family and friends as well as from Prince Albert’s friend journalist, Stéphane Bern.

Click to watch Part One.

For those of you who may be having trouble connecting to the direct link click here and search. You should be able to figure it out from there.

Part Two of this documentary will air later. I’ll let you know when it does.

Or, not.

Also, the program will re-air both part 1 and 2 on ZDF on June 30, 2011.

Another stupid news report from ZDF.

You’re welcome.

Photo courtesy of: I don’t freaking remember.

Monaco Princely Family

Monaco Princely Wedding: Miscellaneous News, Information, and Updates

June 21, 2011 Alexandra 10 Comments

Well, it is only eleven days until the mega wedding of the millennium in the principality of Monaco, and every newspaper in and around the country is a buzz with gossip about the latest details.

In the newspaper, Monaco-Matin, there is a nice article about the massive fireworks show that will take place after the reception at the Salle Garnier Opera. The not-so-environmentally friendly fireworks show will be a:

…symphony… a shower of gold, large murals in pyrotechnical mirror on the Mediterranean.’ Theme is: love, of course, the show is called, ‘Speak to Me of Love.’

Meanwhile all the gorgeous flowers, which include Peonies and Roses, have been ordered — duh — and will soon be arranged. Christian Carlesi-Sorasio is a member of the florist team (a team made up of 14 professional florists from Monaco) whose own grandfather “… had made the floral decorations of the marriage of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly.”

Mr. Carlesi-Sorasio also explains some of the details of the floral arrangements that will be showcased (if that is the right word to use) in the Palais Princier de Monaco courtyard and at the Salle Garnier Opera. Per Monaco-Matin:

Each place will not be decorated in the same way. They are completely different. Many factors come into play: the volume of parts, but also the brightness now. For the evening, we have provided some surprises.

He remains quiet about the intricate details of the ceremony on July 2. But, for the religious ceremony he will say that sobriety is required. Garlands of flowers will highlight the architecture of the palais. The dominant color is obviously white. Peonies, Avalanche Roses, green and white Hydrangeas, Casablanca Lilies will accompany a white flower that is typical of South Africa as a nod to the bride. A total of 12,000 flowers will be used over the princely wedding. However, the secret remains intact on the bridal bouquet…

In special edition of the French magazine, Point du Vue, the engaged couple are featured, again. Inside there is a nice article and other stuff. Here is a brief synopsis:

For the past few weeks, Charlene Wittstock has taken up residence at Roc-Agel, the private residence of the Grimaldi family, which sits high above the principality. This retreat is welcome for her which gives her privacy. Only family and close friends are allowed at Roc-Agel, a large place located in a mountainous area, safe from prying photographers.

It is in this house where Princess Grace liked to spend her weekends. The princess once said, ‘Roc-Agel is a mixture of several things. This is initially a Provence-style, but we have added a lot of ideas. It’s a house of relaxation, without protocol, where one can indulge in what he or she likes to do..’ Princess Grace spent of her free time at the house where she let her creativity in the arts flow. Prince Rainier isolated himself in his sculpture studio.

For those who missed RTL’s interview with Pierre de Vuyst from the program, Palace Royale, you can read the transcript in French here. ~~I’ll translate it for you later.~~ Actually, I won’t. 🙂

Finally, here is an updated guest-list of the royals attending the princely wedding in Monaco so far:

Denmark: T.R.H.s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie.
Sweden: T.M.s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, T.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, H.R.H. Prince Carl Phillip, and H.R.H. Princess Madeleine
Norway: T.R.H.s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Netherlands: T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands
United Kingdom: T.R.H.s The Earl and Countess of Wessex (allegedly)
Liechtenstein: H.S.H. Prince Alois and H.R.H. Princess Sophie
Belgium: Their Majesties King Albert and Queen Paola, T.R.H.s Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, T.R.H.s Prince Laurent and Princess Claire, and H.R.H. Princess Astrid.
France: The Duke and Duchess of Vendôme
Portugal: The Duke and Duchess of Bragança
Italy: The Duke and Duchess of Castro (Bourbon-Two Sicilies)
Other royal and princely houses from Germany.
Serbia: Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia (source)
Romania: Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania (source)
Luxembourg: Has not officially confirmed, yet. However, I believe T.R.H.s Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa will attend.
Russia: Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna (source)
Italy: T.R.H.s Prince Emanuele Filiberto and Princess Clotilde of Savoy
Italy: Prince Vittorio Emmanuele and Marina Doria (Savoy)