Category Archives: Monaco Princely Family

Updates Regarding the Upcoming Princely Wedding in Monaco

April 15, 2011 Alexandra

According to the French newspaper, Nice-Matin, the reception venue for the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco has been changed. Originally to be held at the stunning Musée Océanographique the venue was deemed “too small.” As a result, the Prince and future Princess of Monaco and their guests will be celebrating at the Salle Garnier on July 2, 2011.

In a statement released to Nice-Matin, per the Palais Princier de Monaco:

…following the logistical problems encountered in organizing the official dinner at the Musée Océanographique on Saturday, July 2, it was decided that the evening would be held in the Salle Garnier and the terraces of the Casino. This change of location will promote a more flexible management of the festivities.

Well, I suppose that is good news for the Salle Garnier for it is a lovely place. Let’s hope this is the last change of locations and other stuff before the princely wedding. Why would I say that, you may ask? Because there has been at least a billion changes — from the date of the ceremony to the wedding ceremony venue and so on — since the official announcement was made last summer… that’s why. 🙂

To read the article in its entirety please click the link below. To learn more about the Salle Garnier please click the link here.

Source: Nice-Matin Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Amedeo M.Turello/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Attends an Aviation Fair

April 13, 2011 Alexandra

On April 13, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the Global Show for General Aviation Fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The Prince was in good spirits as he chatted and mingled with uber-intelligent engineers and aviation people from around the world. The prince was so excited about this event that he hopped right into the latest bitchin’ man-toy on the market… the Electra One.

What is the Electra One?

Well, it’s an electric plane (that eerily resembles a giant Phallic symbol… jus’ sayin’)!

Any way… 🙂

To view photos from this event please click the links: photos and more photos.

To learn more about the Global Show for General Aviation please click the link here.

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

Updates About the Upcoming Princely Wedding in Monaco

April 12, 2011 Alexandra

As you know there are only three and a half months until the big day in lovely Monaco. And, as you know, some detailed information about the wedding was released to the public a couple of weeks ago whereupon it was announced that Lexus would be the official sponsor/partner of the princely wedding.

Well, now it seems that another mega car company will be a sponsor/partner in the wedding. Who is it you may ask? It’s BMW!

Yup, the famous German automotive company has the supreme honor of providing a myriad of lovely luxury limousines to “…carry the High personalities invited by the Principality during the festivities of Saturday the 2nd of July.” (Mariage Princier Monaco 2011)

Unlike the Lexus Hybrid (the LS600h) car that will whiz H.S.H. Prince Albert II and his bride, Charlene Wittstock, through the streets of Monaco after the nuptials on July 2, 2011, the BMW limos are not environmentally friendly. Oh quel dommage.

Source: Mariage Princier Monaco 2011 Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family

H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco Attends A Tennis Match in Monaco

April 11, 2011 Alexandra

On April 11, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco attended the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament in Monaco. This eight-day event, held at the Monte-Carlo Country Club, attracted the usual rich, famous, and oh so awesome VIPS.

The Princess was “… invited by Rolex (of course) to lunch with Arnaud Boetsch, Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki, and Freançois Truchi, Monte-Carlo Country Club director, at Rolex Restaurant.” (profimedia.si)

If you are interested in watching the Rolex Masters online you may do so by clicking the link here. To view photos from the event please click the link here.

Source: Profimedia.si Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family

An Article in Paris Match About the Future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock

April 11, 2011 Alexandra 2 Comments

In the recent edition of the French magazine, Paris Match, there is a nice yet slightly sugary article about the future princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock. The writer basically rehashes what many royal watchers already know about Miss Wittstock except for perhaps one or two new facts.

Here is a snippet from the article translated for those who do not speak French:

Today, Charlene is willing to restore the royal palace to its former glory. Entering in this 900 year old castle, which dates back to the sixteenth century, Charlene would like to see the it t return to its originality.

She is also aware of the honor walking in the footsteps of Princess Grace some fifty years later, she can not afford to be a pale copy. A South African Journalist recently asked her about her resemblance to Princess Grace highlighting her charisma and ethereal blond hair, she replied: ‘You can not compare two people, because they are unique! ‘

However, like Grace when she moved to Palace in 1956, Charlene was immediately found that it lacked a feminine touch. ‘We see no woman has lived here for a while. I would like to make some significant changes to the rooms.
‘Move, refresh, relieve, it is in its character.’ And it is this spirit that she would like infuse the scene and, beyond, perhaps, to Principality. Like Albert, she enjoys contemporary art.

During a trip to New York, the couple visited the Jeff Koons gallery which the painter and sculptor shows off his very “pop art”. In the palace today, Prince Albert has decorated many rooms with abstract paintings which are hung on the walls of the princely residence many of them over above period furniture.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link: Paris Match (it’s in French, obviously.) 🙂

Source: Paris Match Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

“Hey Ms. Swiss President, Would You Like to Come to My Super Awesome Princely Wedding?”

April 7, 2011 Alexandra

As you know the wedding invitations for the upcoming princely nuptials in Monaco between H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Miss Charlene Wittstock were sent out a month or so ago.

Currently, several royals including T.R.H.s Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, T.R.H.s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, and Sheikha Mozah of Qatar have confirmed their attendance. Moreover, several politicians have also confirmed; unfortunately, one prominent head of state will not attend.

It was announced this afternoon that the President of Switzerland, Micheline Calmy-Rey, declined to attend the princely wedding.

According to the Swiss newspaper, Swiss Info, the “…Ambassador to France and Monaco will attend in her place.”

To read the rest of the article in its entirety please click the link: Article

Source: Swiss Info Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Bauer Griffin

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Hangs with the Rellies in Newport, County Mayo in Ireland

April 7, 2011 Alexandra

On his last day in lovely Ireland, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco along with his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, spent the latter part of the day with his cousins in Newport, County Mayo in Ireland.

According to the Irish Times:

The couple met Irish cousins in Newport House, and an honorary cousin for the day – one Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring who had been instrumental in securing the Mayo visit. Afterwards they walked over the Newport river to the Gráinne Uaile pub, where both reportedly partook of pints of Guinness.

The prince’s fiancee didn’t seem put out by the weather. “It’s wet and raining, but it’s beautiful,” Charlene Wittstock said. André Connolly, a pupil at Cuilmore National School in Newport, was ecstatic as he helped form a guard of honour for the couple’s cup of tea in Newport House.

Overall, the state visit to Ireland seemed to be a success; however, there is one journalist, Gerry O’Carroll, from the newspaper The Herald who believes Prince Albert’s visit is simply, well, unnecessary. Mr. O’Carroll notes:

As much as the people of Ireland admire the Prince’s late mother Grace Kelly, I think the timing of his visit is inappropriate.

For, while pomp and ceremony may brighten up our gloomy political and economic landscape, it’s something we can’t afford at this time.

Here we are, a country on its knees and in receivership to the IMF and ECB, and we’re facing another two State visits in the next month — from Queen Elizabeth and US President Barack Obama.

The costs are going to be enormous and it will put a huge strain on the resources of the Justice Department and An Garda Siochana.

But we can justify the costs of the other two big visits.

Queen Elizabeth’s will be historic and healing, the final glue to cement the Good Friday Agreement and a major act of reconciliation between our two nations.

The visit of the most powerful man on earth, President Obama, is of extraordinary importance, culturally and financially, and is likely to pay dividends.

I can’t say the same about Prince Albert and his fiancée.

The closest Ireland benefits from Monaco is that it is home to expat millionaires who use the wealthy state as a tax haven, including Michael Smurfit. (The Herald)

I must say that Mr. O’Carroll does have a valid point; however, I do believe this past state visit will see some benefits in the future… if that makes any sense.

Anyway…

To read another article about the visit to Prince Albert’s visit to his mother’s ancestral home please click the link: Article

To view a photo gallery from the state visit to Ireland please click the link: photos and with the relatives.