On January 14, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was named the 2014 International Sports Figure of the Year during the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award Ceremony held at the Dubai World Trade Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Unfortunately, the sovereign prince was unable to attend the ceremony due to prior commitments thus the reason for the pre-recorded acceptance speech message.
On Wednesday, January 7, 2015, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco — from the balcony of the Palais Princier — officially presented their precious newborn twins, Their Serene Highnesses Hereditary Prince Jacques Honoré Rainier, Marquis des Baux and Princess Gabriella Thérèse Marie, Comtesse de Carladès, to the Monégasque citizens for the first time. The princely twins were born on December 10, 2015 at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace in Monaco.
Thereafter, Their Serene Highnesses stepped out to the courtyard in front of the Palais Princier where they mingled with hundreds of well-wishers from Monaco and aboard.
Dear Compatriots, Dear Residents, Dear Friends,
The past year has been exceptional for Princess Charlene and myself with the arrival in our home Gabriella and Jacques.
Births Jacques Crown Prince and Princess Gabriella highlight the strong and indissoluble union between the Monégasque community and our family.
These shared moments of happiness is a privilege and we measure its value.
While the future is uncertain for many countries and populations, the Principality prospers because we have been able to be rigorous and careful, creative and responsive in times of instability in the international context.
Many challenges lie ahead. We will meet them successfully, relying on the strength that has always been ours for centuries: our unity.
Also, I have to rely on the wisdom of each and everyone to continue on this path must prevail because the requirement on ease, consensus on sterile quarrels, the public interest over private interests.
You know my determination to work for the good of the Principality and its people. Whatever the obstacles, I shall take the necessary decisions.
European horizons may seem disturbing. Rest assured that I will be vigilant about preserving our specificities to protect our way of development and our social model. But let us beware of the temptation to withdraw and fear.
Soon we will engage in negotiations with the European Union. Not doing so would be irresponsible. These discussions will be long. At completion, we will be free of our decisions will be knowingly and after qu’auront carried out all the “weighed” required.
May this time of Christmas and New Year bring hope and comfort to those of you affected by adversity and we can express the support and solidarity values.
For our youth, my hope of an open future that meets their expectations and allow them to flourish, especially in the work: human labor.
In this time of skepticism and doubt, I believe in the ability of man to transform the way we do. This is what also base my environmental commitment to sustainable development for which there is still time to act.
Dear Compatriots, Dear Residents, Dear Friends,
Princess Charlene and I are happy with our children, to bring with you a confident look on the year that will open.
Together, give impetus to this time.
To one and all, beautiful and serene Year 2015.
On Thursday, December 11, 2014, the Palais Princier de Monaco released a video message from His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco announcing the birth of his precious newborn twins.
Here is what the sovereign prince and proud father had to say:
“My Dear Fellow Citizens and Residents of the Principality,
It is with great joy that I have the pleasure of announcing that Princess Charlene gave birth on Wednesday 10th December 2014 to one boy and one girl named Jacques Honoré Rainier, who will bear the title of Crown Prince, and Gabriella Thérèse Marie Princess and second in the line of succession.
I wish to share this moment of happiness with the Monégasque people and more widely with all my country’s residents. These births further bolster the feeling of community that unites us.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all those, in Monaco and across the world, who have expressed their attachment to the Princess, myself and my family.
Thanks be to God for this blessing.”
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier
On Wednesday, December 10, 2014, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco gave birth to healthy baby twins at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace in Monaco.
The little prince, born at 5:06 p.m., was named His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Jacques Honoré Rainier, Marquis des Baux. The little princess, born at 5:04 p.m., was named Her Serene Highness Princess Gabriella Thérèse Marie, Comtesse de Carladès.
Princess Charlene and her beautiful new little ones are doing well and, of course, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco is incredibly happy.
A huge congrats to Their Serene Highnesses and to the people of Monaco!
Click here to watch a video announcing the birth of the princely twins via Monaco Info en Direct.
Sirens, church bells, and cannons celebrating the birth of the princely twins.
The Palais Princier de Monaco this evening.
On Sunday, December 7, 2014, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco officially opened the 127th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
Prior to the opening the sovereign prince hosted a reception for IOC members including Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.
Photos courtesy of the IOC
On Friday, December 5, 2014, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco officially opened the 2014 Village de Noël de Monaco along the Quai Albert Ier, Port Hercule, in Monaco.
Photos courtesy of Getty images/V. Hache
The Royal Correspondent 