Category Archives: Monaco Princely Family

Monaco Princely Family

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock Attend the Sainte-Dévote Festivities at the Cathedral of Monaco

On January 27, 2011, HSH Prince Albert II and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, attended mass at the Cathedral of Monaco this mid-morning 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 blesses the Palais for luck, love, and harmony.

During the blessing, HSH Prince Albert II and Charlene made a balcony appearance whereupon they prayed, waved to the crowds, and of course smiled.

More information about the Sainte-Dévote festivities are coming in through the news wire so stay tuned for hourly updates.

To view more photos from today’s activities please click the link: Zimbio.com

Photos courtesy of: Day Life by Christian Alminana/Getty Images, REUTERS/Gaetan Luci/Palais Princier, VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images, REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Monaco Princely Family

The Princely Family of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock Attend the Celebration of the Festival of Sainte-Dévote

Well, it certainly has been quite busy for the Princely family of Monaco and for Miss Charlene Wittstock these past few days, and for royal watchers it has been a treat.

This evening, January 26, 2011, HSH Prince Albert II, Princess Caroline, and Miss Charlene Wittstock 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.

Today, the Princely family of Monaco along with the Monégasques and members of the Diocese of Monaco take part in a torchlight ceremony in front of the Sainte-Dévote church.  A boat is placed in front of the church whereupon the Princely family along with the attendees set the boat ablaze and celebrate.

Pretty cool.

Anyway, this was the first time Charlene Wittstock participated in this sacred event, and by all accounts she seemed to have enjoyed herself.

 

Monaco Princely Family

Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert II of Monaco:A Night at the Circus

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So, in a previous post I mentioned that today, January 25, 2011, is Miss Charlene Wittstock’s birthday.  She’s 33 years old.

Any who, Charlene spent the day with family, friends, and Prince Albert.  Later on in the evening, Charlene attended the 35th Annual International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, Monaco alongside her fiancé, Prince Albert, and HSH Princess Stephanie and her family.

It must have been a great day for the future Princess of Monaco because she was glowing… and I must say… she looks a tad different.  I cannot put my finger on it, but Charlene looks different.

Photo courtesy of: Day Life

Monaco Princely Family

Happy Birthday to Charlene Wittstock: The Future Princess of Monaco

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On January 25, 2011, Miss Charlene Wittstock will celebrate her 33rd birthday.

Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa the 5’11” blonde would become a swimming star in her native homeland. According to the Palais Princier de Monaco, Charlene, “…developed a passion for swimming at a very early age. In 1996, at 18, she won the South African Championship.”

The dedicated and competitive Miss Wittstock was chosen to be apart of the South African Olympic swimming team. Overall, the South African swimming team came in fifth place.  Individually, Miss Wittstock never won an Olympic gold medal.  However, at the 2000 Marenostrum International Swim Meet in Monaco she did win gold and she gained the attention of one Prince Albert II who was, “…presiding over the international competition.”

Soon, the 5’11” blonde and the Sovereign Prince of Monaco soon began to date.

Seriously.

Six years later she made her first official appearance alongside the Prince at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.  Soon, the couple were attached at the hip… seen together constantly from official events such as the Monaco Red Cross Ball, the Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco Film Festival, and the Swedish royal wedding.

On June 23, 2010, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco announced to the world that he had asked Charlene to marry him.  Of course she said, yes, then he placed a massive diamond ring on her finger and official engagement photos were taken.

It is unknown how Miss Wittstock will spend the day (though she will attend the 35th Annual International Circus Festival in the evening), but what ever she does I am sure she will have a fabulous day with her family, friends, and her fiancé.

So there you have it!  Happy Birthday, Charlene!   🙂

Here are some facts about Charlene Wittstock per the Palais Princier de Monaco

  • Growing up in Africa heightened her awareness of problems linked to childhood.
  • Ms. Wittstock gave swimming lessons to underprivileged children throughout her career.
  • She has frequently accompanied His Serene Highness on his travels to support charitable works.
  • Since 2009, she has been Honorary President of Ladies Lunch Monte-Carlo.
  • Since 2010, she has been associated with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
  • She regularly participates in fund raising events for charities such as Amfar.
  • Surfing is one of her favourite sports as well as hiking up mountains.
  • Reading biographies and ethnic poetry from South Africa
  • Contemporary art

Nice photos of the couple for you to gaze upon:

Here is an interview with Miss Wittstock and Prince Albert.  Click the link to view: You Tube

Photos courtesy of: Zimbio.com

Monaco Princely Family

Original Photos from the International Circus Festival in Monaco

The Monte-Carlo Daily Photo Blog has been one of my favorite sites for several years now, and I thought now is the good time to share this blog with those who are unfamiliar with MCDP.  The photographer and owner of this fantastic blog has shot some amazing behind-the-scenes photos from the 35th Annual International Circus Festival in Monaco.  Unfortunately, at this time there are no photos of the Monaco princely family.

One more thing, I would like to remind my fellow bloggers to please do not copy and paste these photos without the permission of the owner from Monte Carlo Daily Photo.

Enjoy!    🙂

Please click the link at: Monte Carlo Daily Photo

Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Pool/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family

Happy Birthday to HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover, HSH Princess of Monaco!

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On January 23, 2011, HRH The Princess of Hanover, the Hereditary Princess of Monaco, Caroline, turned 54 years young.  The stunning eldest daughter of the late Prince Rainier III and the late Princess Grace of Monaco celebrated her day with family and friends.

With the loss of her mother in 1982 and with the loss of her father in 2005, Princess Caroline continued to forge ahead, but not without several personal as well as health problems.  She has been married three times, divorced once, currently separated, and a widow.  After the death of her husband, Stefano Casiraghi on October 3, 1990, Princess Caroline’s health began to deteriorate.  In 1996, she began to experience hair loss.  Soon, she lost it all.  Though she never confirmed it in public many doctors, commenting about her hair loss, believed the beautiful Princess suffered from Alopecia Totalis, an autoimmune disorder brought on by severe stress as well as genetics.

In time her hair grew back and her health began to vastly improve.

Today, Princess Caroline is the proud mother of four, and is quite active with various charities/patronages for the Principality of Monaco including:

  1. Les Ballets de Monte Carlo
  2. Amade Mondiale
  3. The Princess Grace Foundation
  4. Monte Carlo Opera
  5. The Spring Arts Festival
  6. The Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra
  7. The Red Cross

So, there you have it!  A CliffNotes version of HRH The Princess of Hanover, the Hereditary Princess of Monaco, Caroline.

Happy Birthday, Princess!   🙂

To watch various video interviews of Princess Caroline please click the link: A 1985 Interview with Barbara WaWa (Walters): Part One, Part Two, Princess Caroline, Princess Caroline and Family (ABC News), Princess Caroline Marries Stefano and Another Interview

Monaco Princely Family

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco attend the Opening Ceremony of the 35th International Circus Festival

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This evening in lovely, yet tiny, Monaco HSH Prince Albert and his sister Princess Stephanie of Monaco attended the opening ceremony of the 35th Annual International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo.

Surrounded by creepy ass clowns and a billion photographers Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie smiled and laughed as they made their way through the arena.

Oh, I almost forgot… Princess Stephanie’s daughter, Pauline, was also in attendance to support her mother who is the President of the Circus Festival. Unfortunately, once again,  Prince Albert’s fiancée was nowhere to be found.  It’s been a long ass time since royal watchers were able to gaze upon her loveliness in still photos as well as videos.  Who knows where or what she is doing (perhaps prepping for the upcoming princely wedding); nevertheless, I hope we will see her soon.

To view more photos of tonight’s event please click the link below.

 

Source and photos courtesy of: Day Life by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images and AP Photo/Valery Hache, Pool