Category Archives: Monaco Princely Family

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

Monaco Princely Family

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco attends the Monte Carlo Rally

On January 19, 2011, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was in Saint Bonnet le Froid to attend the opening of

… a special of the centenary Monte Carlo rally.  Formerly part of the WRC circuit the event which was first won by Frenchman Henri Rougier in a Turcat-Mery back in 1911, is now on the rival breakaway IRC circuit.

Sounds like fun and by the looks of it, HSH Prince Albert looks as if he is freezing to death.

To view more photos from the event please click the link below.

Source and photos courtesy of: Day Life by JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

Miss Charlene Wittstock Will Walk Down the Aisle in A Custom Designed Gown by Giorgio Armani

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This isn’t exactly breaking news for many royal watchers (in fact several of us knew months ago), but Miss Charlene Wittstock will wear a custom designed wedding gown by Mr. Giorgio Armani for her wedding to HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Actually, she will wear two items designed by the famous Italian designer.  One for her civil marriage, that will take place on July 1, and one for the religious ceremony on July 2, 2011.

Miss Wittstock and Mr. Armani have a long relationship together when it comes to her fashion choices.  In case you didn’t know, she is the official Ambassador for the House of Armani.

Source: Nice-Matin Photo courtesy of: Michael Carpenter/ WENN.com