On February 1, 2012, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco officially opened Le Foyer de l’Enfance Princesse Charlène (Princess Charlene Children’s Home) in Monaco. Alongside the princess were His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, the children’s home director, Mr. Patrick Serre as well as dozens of local dignitaries.
During the opening ceremony speeches were made then Princess Charlene unveiled a plaque which will be prominently displayed in the home alongside a painting of the princess by artist, Romero Britto.
According to the Palais Princier de Monaco the purpose of Le Foyer de l’Enfance Princesse Charlène:
…is to accommodate and protect children in danger who are subject to a Judicial Placement Measure. It is open 365 days a year and 24/7. [The home] represents a new step in the social policy of the Monégasque Government to further consideration of the needs of children in distress and their families in Monaco. source
On January 27, 2012, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended mid-morning Mass at the Cathédrale de Monaco in celebration of Sainte-Dévote.
The couple, along with hundreds participants, were celebrating the patron saint of Monaco and of the Grimaldi family. Following the Mass there was a procession to the Palais Princier de Monaco whereupon the Archbishop blessed the Palais for luck, love, and harmony. Afterward, the princely couple appeared on the balcony of the Palais where they waved to the crowds and then said a prayer.
On January 26, 2012, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene along with Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover and her daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Hanover, 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.
This evening the Princely family of Monaco along with the Monégasques and members of the Diocese of Monaco participated in a torchlight ceremony in front of the Sainte-Dévote church. A boat is placed in front of the little church whereupon the Princely family along with other attendees set the boat ablaze and celebrate.
Tomorrow, — per tradition — the princely family will attend a traditional Mass at the Cathédrale de Monaco then a balcony wave from the Palais Princier de Monaco.
To learn more about Sainte-Dévote please click here.
On January 24, 2012, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco held an audience with the Mayor of Rome, Mr. Gianni Alemanno at the Palais Princier de Monaco. The sovereign prince and his guest participated in a luncheon meeting whereupon they discussed… oh I don’t know… business I suppose. 🙂
Meanwhile, Dom Duarte Duke of Bragança (Portugal) attended a gala dinner held at the Hotel Bom Jesus de Braga. During the evening the Duke and attendees discussed “… regional and local production as well as trade.”
Sources: Palais Princier de Monaco and Mr. Manuel Beninger from PPM Braga *with many thanks for the photo! 🙂
On January 21, 2012, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco was seen in Milan, Italy shopping with friends. While the princess was in the lovely city, Prince Albert II of Monaco was in St. Moritz for a brief period then headed on over to Austria to watch Team Monaco compete in the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic games. You can read more about it here.
It was recently announced that Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco will attend the 84th Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California on February 26, 2012. It is unknown as to why the princely couple are attending — perhaps it may have something to do with the upcoming film, Grace of Monaco, currently in pre-production — nevertheless, their presence at the awards ceremony will definitely be, well, a special treat. 🙂
This year’s Academy Awards will be hosted by Billy Crystal and will live air starting at 4 p.m. on the American television network ABC.
To learn more about this year’s Academy Awards please visit their official websitehere.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and his nephew, Andrea Casiraghi, attended Mass for the Fête de la Saint-Sébastien, Patron Saint of the Prince’s Company of Carabiniers, in the presence of Colonel Fringant, Chamberlain of His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince and High Commander of the Public Forces, Commander Philippe Rebaudengo, Commanding Officer of the Prince’s Carabiniers, and many Monégasque personalities.
Mr. Casiraghi was then given the insignia for the rank of Brigadier in the Prince’s Company of Carabiniers during a reception held at the Musée Océanographique.
Source and photo courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco
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On February 1, 2012, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco officially opened Le Foyer de l’Enfance Princesse Charlène (Princess Charlene Children’s Home) in Monaco. Alongside the princess were His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, the children’s home director, Mr. Patrick Serre as well as dozens of local dignitaries.
The Royal Correspondent 