On February 5, 2012, the President of the Republic of Palau, Mr. Johnson Toribiong, arrived in Monaco for a four-day official visit. Upon his arrival His Serene Highness Prince Albert II greeted the president to his country. Later in the evening the sovereign prince and the president attended the concert, La Création du Monde, held at L’Auditorium Rainier III.
This afternoon, President Toribiong and his delegation arrived at the Palais Princier de Monaco where he was received by Prince Albert II. After a quick balcony wave and a successful meeting at the Palais Princier the duo attended a presentation of activities from the Fondation Prince Albert II (Prince Albert II Foundation) held at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte-Carlo.
Tomorrow, February 7, 2012, President Toribiong and his delegation will participate a working meeting with members of the Monaco government and then attend the official opening of the Consulate of Palau in Monaco.
On February 2, 2012, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco made a rare appearance at the Conseil National (National Council) in Monaco.
During their visit speeches were made my the President of the Conseil National, Mr. Jean-François Robillon, as well as from the sovereign prince.
Afterward, the princely couple signed the Livre d’Or (the Golden Book) of the Conseil National, and attended a cocktail reception on the terrace where they mingled with the members of the Conseil National and other local dignitaries.
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.
On February 5, 2012, the President of the Republic of Palau, Mr. Johnson Toribiong, arrived in Monaco for a four-day official visit. Upon his arrival His Serene Highness Prince Albert II greeted the president to his country. Later in the evening the sovereign prince and the president attended the concert, La Création du Monde, held at L’Auditorium Rainier III.
