Category Archives: Monaco Princely Family

Royal Debate: Whose Wedding Will Be More Epic?

Yes, that oh-so-important question is heavily debated in the royal watching community these days… it’s almost like watching CNN’s old show, Crossfire.   People bitching and yelling as to whom will be the more stunning bride and other inane issues. Any way, now the magazines are in on the discussion.

Gala Magazine recently featured Miss Catherine Middleton and Miss Charlene Wittstock on their cover; inside there is commentary as to whom will have a more memorable as well as beautiful wedding.  It seems that the writer has already made up his/her mind:  Miss Catherine Middleton will dominate when it comes to the Battle of the Royal Weddings (actually, Monaco is a Principality so the wedding will be Princely not Royal.)

In the December issue of Elle France, there is also an editorial dedicated to Charlene and Catherine.  The whole side-by-side comparison is seriously lame, but hey this type of debate sells magazines, and again… whatever.

I don’t know.  The discussion as to whom will be the more memorable bride and/or which wedding will be more beautiful is rather silly, in my opinion.  I’m just hoping someone will screw up — hence tripping down the aisle, or forgetting their soon-to-be husbands name, or crying like a baby.  You get the picture.  LOL.

Frankly, neither women are that extraordinary.  No, I don’t mean aesthetically; rather both women wasted their lives following their boyfriends all over hell and gone in the hopes of a marriage proposal.  And they got it.

Neither Charlene or Catherine made the most of their education (or lack thereof in Charlene’s case) or lives as strong independent women.  Frankly, I find that quite sad.  It’s incredibly unfortunate that neither Charlene nor Catherine had a career and/or worked hard prior to their soon-to-be structured lives as Princesses.  It’s too bad they didn’t follow in the intelligent footsteps of say Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands or Crown Princess Masako of Japan, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, or even Princess Letizia of Asturias.  Instead, in my opinion, Catherine and Charlene were weak women… at the beck and call of their then boyfriends now fiances.

Pathetic.

Okay, enough of my rant.  Sorry.

Right.  So there you have it:  Two major upcoming weddings.  One Royal.  One Princely.  Both will be memorable as well as beautiful in their own unique way.

 

Photo scans courtesy of Bystander from Royal Dish.com.  Yes, she gave me permission to use these four scans in my post… so there.   🙂

Monaco Princely Wedding Dates and Information

Well, the dates for the Princely wedding is now firmly set so mark your calendars.  Per the Palais Princier du Monaco:

The civil marriage will take place on Friday 1st July at 17h in the Throne Room at the Palace. It will be celebrated by Mr Philippe Narmino, Director of Judicial Services and Chairman of the State Council.
Mr. Philippe Narmino is indeed the registrar of the Sovereign Family.

The religious wedding will take place Saturday, July 2, in the courtyard of the Palace, at 17h. Monsignor Barsi celebrate mass.

The doors of the palace will remain open to allow about 4,000 people to attend, sitting at the ceremony broadcast on giant screens.

These two days, Friday and Saturday will be holidays.

This should be a lovely day, if the weather holds up, and I must say that I am disappointed that the religious service will not take place at the beautiful Cathedral in Monaco.  Oh well.

It is unknown at this time how many members from reigning royal houses will attend the Monaco Princely wedding; however, it is safe to assume that members of several non-reigning houses will be present including The Duke and Duchess of Castro (they are close friends with the Sovereign Prince and currently live in Monaco.)

Information courtesy of the Palais Princier du Monaco at www.palais.mc

Photo courtesy of Daylife.com

An Interview with Miss Charlene Wittstock: The Future Princess of Monaco from the Documentary, ‘Prince Albert II de Monaco: L’Autre Prince’

Several months ago France 2 journalist, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, interviewed HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Miss Charlene Wittstock, at the Palais Princier de Monaco.  In the documentary entitled,  Prince Albert II de Monaco: L’Autre Prince, Prince Albert II discusses his life as well as in detail his first five years as the sovereign Prince of Monaco.

In part seven of the series, Miss Charlene Wittstock appears alongside Prince Albert II.  The interview is quite interesting for those who want to know more about the couple. Click the links below to watch, Albert II de Monaco: L’Autre Prince.


HSH Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Stephanie Handed out Gifts to Monégasques

If there is one thing people would say about the Princely family of Monaco… they are a generous bunch.

This afternoon in Monaco HSH Prince Albert and his sister, Princess Stephanie continued their annual tradition by handing out gifts to the citizens of Monaco.  This  time the recipients were the elderly Monégasques within the tiny Principality.

The gifts were distributed at the Red Cross Center in the heart of Monaco as well as at the Foyer Sainte Devote school.

Later on, HSH Prince Albert visited the Princess Grace Hospital to handout more presents to the patients.

Talk about lucky.  Now, I want to move to Monaco, and receive cool free gifts from the Princely family!  🙂

 

Photos courtesy of Daylife.com by Christian Alminana/Getty Images

HSH Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock Attend the Arbre de Noel in Monaco

On December 15, 2010, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco along with his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, attended the Arbre de Noel for the children in Monaco.  Also in attendance, of course, was HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover and HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

The Arbre de Noel event is a tradition in the tiny principality, and the first time Miss Wittstock participated in the Christmas tree gift giving event.  After a quick photo-op in the courtyard of Palais du Monaco the guests were ushered inside to receive their gifts from the Princely family.   The guests cheered and screamed as Santa Claus entered the room, and the guests were more than happy to receive their presents.

After, the guests spoke with the Princely family and ate yummy food.  Again, many photos were taken and it seems that everyone enjoyed themselves.

Photos courtesy of VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images), and REUTERS/Eric Gaillard at Daylife.com.

Royal Wedding Update: Double Duty for Austria’s No Problem Orchestra

An Austrian band will be quite busy in 2011.  Why?  The orchestra known as No Problem Orchestra will be performing at both the Royal wedding in Britain as well as Princely wedding in Monaco next year.

The eight member world renowned group, consisting of mentally disabled musicians, were asked to play for both weddings and of course they said, YES!  I mean… who wouldn’t, right?

According to the Austrian Times:

The extraordinary band, who have played gigs in the United States and across Europe, gave a private concert to Queen Elizabeth II at Highgrove House in the British county of Gloucestershire eight years ago. Also in 2002, the No Problem Orchestra performed in Monte Carlo for the first time.

The British royal wedding will take place on April 29, 2011 at Westminister Abbey while the Princely wedding will take place on July 2 and 3 2011.  The venue for the Monaco wedding will be held outside in the Palais du Monaco courtyard.

Source courtesy of the Austrian Times at http://www.austriantimes.at/news/Panorama/2010-12-13/29068/No_Problem_Orchestra_to_rock_Royal_wedding_bashes

Photos courtesy of Palais.mc (Monaco) and  Clarence House/Mario Testino (United Kingdom)

HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco Hands Out Christmas Gifts

On December 14, 2010, HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco handed out various Christmas gifts to the elderly in Cap d’Ail, France.

The princess seemed to be enjoying herself and the people who received these gifts were grateful for the warm gesture by Princess Stephanie.

Photo courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco