Begins at the 1:49 mark.  In French.

Recently, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco spoke to Monaco Info regarding his amazing classic car collection that he inherited from his late father, Prince Rainier III. Anyway, 38 of those classic cars will be sold at auction by Artcurial Motorcars at the Terrasses de Fontvielle on July 26, 2012.

And, finally, in the video there is a clip of Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco visiting the 2012 South African Olympic Swimming Team practicing at the Stade Louis II.

On Saturday, July 21, 2012, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco will visit the historical village of Baux de Provence in southern France.  Whilst there the sovereign prince will visit a new photo exhibition entitled, D’un Rocher à L’autre, organized by the magazine Paris Match in honor of the sovereign prince’s late mother, Princess Grace.

The purpose of the visit is to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Prince Albert II’s first official visit to Baux de Provence where he received the keys to the village in 1982.

For more information about Baux de Provence please visit the village’s official website here.

Source: Palais Princier de Monaco

Begins at the :53 mark. Plus news regarding the sovereign prince’s attendance at Les Amis du Liban and Princess Caroline at the Chanel Jewelry launch in Monaco. In French

On July 7, 2012, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Monégasque government and PlaNet Finance.  Also in attendance was the Conseiller de Gouvernement pour les Relations Extérieures (Government Counsellor for External Relations), Mr. José Badia and the President of PlaNet Finance, Mr. Jacques Attali.

According to the official website for the government of the principality:

The Government of the Principality, which has made the fight against poverty the main objective of its development cooperation policy, has already signed 11 agreements of cooperation with PlaNet Finance to support various projects such as the socio-economic integration and access to micro-credit to people living with HIV AIDS and sickle-cell disease, the strengthening of capabilities of Micro-finance Institutions (MFIS) or the development of income generating activities.

 The project supported by the Government of the Principality, the world AMADÉ and Fight Aids Monaco in Burundi for the support of orphans and other children vulnerable (OVC), PlaNet Finance has provided technical assistance to the creation of an IMF called Dukuze to enable the empowerment of the guardians of OVC. The IMF today affects 1,500 people (73% of women) and has for ambition, always with the support of PlaNet Finance, to become one of the three most important players in the sector to Burundi in the next four years, reaching 15,000 people.

1.  The framework partnership agreement, for a period of five years, will help to lay the foundations of a sustainable partnership through:
2.  The promotion of the access of the poor to micro-finance (savings, credit, insurance) products.
3.  The design and implementation of programs of micro-finance in the areas of health, education and the environment.
4.  The support for financial transparency and the efficiency of the sector of micro-finance in developing the (financial rating) rating and social auditing (social rating).

PlaNet Finance’s mission to help the poor to develop autonomously income generating activity to sustainably improve their living conditions. With a global network of 122 experts, active in nearly 50 countries, PlaNet Finance offers advisory services and technical assistance to stakeholders in micro-finance to improve their financial and social performance so that programs of support to micro-entrepreneurs. PlaNet Finance also contributes to the improvement of knowledge in micro-finance and the dissemination of good practices.

Source and photo courtesy of: Gouvernement Princier

On July 18, 2012, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco was at the Stade Louis II to met with members of the 2012 South African Olympic Swim team.

According to the Palais Princier de Monaco, Princess Charlene, “… wishes that these young very promising athletes to benefit from the best possible conditions before the 2012 London Olympics.  With the support of her personal Foundation, the princess has ensured that swimmers follow a rigorous physical preparation program perfectly suited to the Olympic Games.”

Click here to view photos.

Source and photo courtesy of: Palais Princier de Monaco

On July 16, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover was in Monte-Carlo to attend the official launch of the Chanel Jewelry Collection in Monaco.  Also, in attendance was the princess’s close friend and famed fashion designer, Mr. Karl Lagerfeld and dozens of really good-looking people with lots of money.

Click here to view photos.

And, finally, Princess Caroline’s youngest son, Mr. Pierre Casiraghi, has decided to sue a big burly dude named Mr. Adam Hock for “… unspecified damages…”  Why?  Well, if you recall on February 18, 2012, Mr. Casiraghi and Mr. Hock had a little disagreement that resulted in Mr. Hock punching Mr. Casiraghi in his pretty little face.  Anyway, Mr. Casiraghi is also suing the nightclub’s owner, Mr. Jeffery Jah, for “negligence.”

For more information about this latest drama please click here and here.

Sources: Daylife and Reuters

On July 17, 2012, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco hosted a lovely garden party at the Palais Princier to celebrate Centenary Day of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Per a press release from the IAAF:

“Their Serene Highnesses greeted the IAAF party which was led by President Lamine Diack and his Vice-Presidents, and included representatives of the 17 founding Member Federations, and the staff of IAAF Headquarters, whose offices have been located in the Principality since October 1993.

To officially seal the day’s celebrations a special Monégasque commemorative postage stamp was unveiled during the reception with all guests receiving the gift of an official first day cover. The stamp issued today by the Principality is adorned by the IAAF Centenary logo and formally marks 100 years of the association’s history.

IAAF President Lamine Diack marked the historic occasion with the following words: ‘On behalf of the 212 Member Federations of the International Association of Athletics Federations I whole heartedly thank their Serene Highnesses for honouring the IAAF with this reception and of marking the 100 years of our existence with a postage stamp.’

‘The IAAF was invited to move to Monaco by His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III, and since the association’s relocation to the Principality in 1993 we have been given the warmest of welcomes which has seen the IAAF prosper under the wing of the Palace. For all of this we greatly thank you.’

‘The commemoration by Monaco of the IAAF’s birth, which took place one hundred years ago today is the latest of those kind gestures of friendship. The IAAF was born in Stockholm a matter of a few days after the close of the 1912 Olympics in Sweden and the very fact that both your Serene Highnesses are former Olympians, though in sports other than our own, makes us understand and appreciate evermore that our headquarters are situated in the most understanding of locations.’”

Source: International Association of Athletics Federations

Photo courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco

On Sunday, July, 15, 2012, Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Hanover celebrated her son, Mr. Andrea Casiraghi, engagement to the beautiful Ms. Tatiana Santo Domingo at a private villa in the south of France.

The newly engaged couple arrived at the villa aboard Princess Caroline’s yacht, Pacha III, along with their close friends and Princess Alexandra of Hanover.

Click here to view photos.

By the way, check out photo #71 and you will see for the first time Ms. Santo Domingo’s engagement ring.  It is stunning!   🙂

Source: Zimbio