H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Institut Océanographique de Paris

On June 21, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was in Paris to take part in the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Institut Océanographique de Paris:

…founded in 1906 by Monaco’s Prince Albert I as ‘Institut Oceanographique, Foundation Albert I, Prince de Monaco’. It consists of two institutions: the actual oceanographic institute based in Paris is utilised by everyone interested in the oceans, and is a place for exchange between researchers and students. The second institution is the oceanographic museum, located on the rocks of Monaco. Prince Albert I originally established it to protect his collections, as well as for scientific research. However, nowadays the museum is famous for its high standards, its historic collections and its world-renowned aquaria. (source)

According to the French newspaper, Le Express, “…Prince Albert II launched a plea for the defense of the oceans, ‘a fragile world’ threatened by climate change and overfishing… “  Very true.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here.  And, photos galore.

To learn more about the Institut Océanographique de Paris please click the link here.

H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Attends a Conference

On June 21, 2011, H.R.H. Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands attended the Social Performance Task Force conference this afternoon in Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch)  hosted by the Netherlands Platform for Microfinance.

According to the official website for the European Microfinance Network, the Social Performance Task Force consists of:

…850 leaders from all over the world from every microfinance stakeholder group: practitioners, donors and investors (multilateral, bilateral, and private), national and regional networks, technical assistance providers, rating agencies, academics and researchers, and others.  Created in March 2005, the Task Force has been charged with clearly defining social performance and addressing questions about measuring and managing social performance. (source)

To view photos of the awesome princess please click the link here. 

Source: European-microfinance.org

Photo courtesy of: Koninklijkhuis.nl

Monaco Princely Wedding: Miscellaneous News, Information, and Updates

Well, it is only eleven days until the mega wedding of the millennium in the principality of Monaco, and every newspaper in and around the country is a buzz with gossip about the latest details.

In the newspaper, Monaco-Matin, there is a nice article about the massive fireworks show that will take place after the reception at the Salle Garnier Opera.  The not-so-environmentally friendly fireworks show will be a:

…symphony… a shower of gold, large murals in pyrotechnical mirror on the Mediterranean.’ Theme is: love, of course, the show is called, ‘Speak to Me of Love.’

Meanwhile all the gorgeous flowers, which include Peonies and Roses, have been ordered — duh — and will soon be arranged. Christian Carlesi-Sorasio is a member of the florist team (a team made up of 14 professional florists from Monaco) whose own grandfather “… had made the floral decorations of the marriage of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly.”

Mr. Carlesi-Sorasio also explains some of the details of the  floral arrangements that will be showcased (if that is the right word to use) in the Palais Princier de Monaco courtyard and at the Salle Garnier Opera.  Per Monaco-Matin:

Each place will not be decorated in the same way.  They are completely different. Many factors come into play: the volume of parts, but also the brightness now. For the evening, we have provided some surprises.

He remains quiet about the intricate details of the ceremony on July 2.  But, for the religious ceremony he will say that sobriety is required. Garlands of flowers will highlight the architecture of the palais. The dominant color is obviously white. Peonies, Avalanche Roses, green and white Hydrangeas, Casablanca Lilies will accompany a white flower that is typical of South Africa as a nod to the bride.  A total of 12,000 flowers will be used over the princely wedding.  However, the secret remains intact on the bridal bouquet…

In special edition of the French magazine, Point du Vue, the engaged couple are featured, again.  Inside there is a nice article and other stuff.  Here is a brief synopsis:

For the past few weeks, Charlene Wittstock has taken up residence at Roc-Agel, the private residence of the Grimaldi family, which sits high above the principality.  This retreat is welcome for her which gives her privacy. Only family and close friends are allowed at Roc-Agel, a large place located in a mountainous area, safe from prying photographers.

It is in this house where Princess Grace liked to spend her weekends.  The princess once said, ‘Roc-Agel is a mixture of several things. This is initially a Provence-style, but we have added a lot of ideas. It’s a house of relaxation, without protocol, where one can indulge in what he or she likes to do..’  Princess Grace spent of her free time at the house where she let her creativity in the arts flow.  Prince Rainier isolated himself in his sculpture studio.

For those who missed RTL’s interview with Pierre de Vuyst from the program, Palace Royale, you can read the transcript in French here.  I’ll translate it for you later.  Actually, I won’t.   🙂

Finally, here is an updated guest-list of the royals attending the princely wedding in Monaco so far:

  1. Denmark: T.R.H.s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie.
  2. Sweden: T.M.s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, T.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, H.R.H. Prince Carl Phillip, and H.R.H. Princess Madeleine
  3. Norway: T.R.H.s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit
  4. Netherlands: T.R.H.s Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands
  5. United Kingdom: T.R.H.s The Earl and Countess of Wessex (allegedly)
  6. Liechtenstein: H.S.H. Prince Alois and H.R.H. Princess Sophie
  7. Belgium: Their Majesties King Albert and Queen Paola, T.R.H.s Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, T.R.H.s Prince Laurent and Princess Claire, and H.R.H. Princess Astrid.
  8. France: The Duke and Duchess of Vendôme
  9. Portugal: The Duke and Duchess of Bragança
  10. Italy: The Duke and Duchess of Castro (Bourbon-Two Sicilies)
  11. Other royal and princely houses from Germany.
  12. Serbia: Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia (source)
  13. Romania: Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania (source)
  14. Luxembourg:  Has not officially confirmed, yet.  However, I believe T.R.H.s Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa will attend.
  15. Russia: Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna (source)
  16. Italy: T.R.H.s Prince Emanuele Filiberto and Princess Clotilde of Savoy
  17. Italy: Prince Vittorio Emmanuele  and Marina Doria (Savoy)

Sources: Monaco-Matin and Point de Vue

Photos courtesy of: Reuters/Eric Gaillard Point de Vue and Monaoc-Matin by Franck Fernandes

Monaco Princely Wedding News: Patrick Demarchelier, Official Wedding Photographer

According to the newspaper, Monte-Carlo News.it, famed fashion photographer, Patrick Demarchelier, will be the official wedding photographer for H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Charlene Wittstock’s upcoming nuptials on July 1 and 2, 2011.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here. 

Source: Monte-Carlo News

Royal Ascot 2011: Day Five

On June 18, 2011, Royal Ascot continued as thousands of people came out to enjoy a day at the races.  Once again, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II along with the Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance.

Per my usual statement, there are many photos for your viewing pleasure.  Please click the links here, here, here, and here.

To watch the royal procession please click the link here. 

Photo courtesy of:  Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett

The Earl Spencer (Diana, Princess of Wales’ brother) Married, Again, for the 900th Time This Afternoon

So, there was another wedding that took place on planet Earth this afternoon, this time it was the Earl Spencer’s wedding.  Charles decided to marry for the 900th time to Canadian-born Karen Gordon at Althorp castle in Northamptonshire, England.

The ceremony was private and attended by only a few selected guests.  According to the Daily Mail, the bride wore a:

…fitted lace dress [with a] daring plunging v-neck and held a tumbling bouquet of white and cream flowers.  Her long brunette hair was worn loose and a pair of delicate pearl earrings shone out from underneath her slightly curled style.

After the short ceremony the couple took photos (where they looked absolutely thrilled with each other), chatted with their guests, then gorged on food in the dining hall at Althorp.

They’ll be divorced in a year.

To read a fascinating article from the Daily Mail please click the link here. 

Source and photo courtesy of:  DM via PA

The Future Princess of Monaco… Yes, it’s Another Article.

C’est en 2000 qu’elle croise pour la première fois Albert II, lors du Marenostrum, le meeting international de natation de la Principauté

The French newspaper, France Soir, recently published an article about the future princess of Monaco:

A young woman is very discreet. Walking in the streets of Monaco-Ville, the city’s most typical of the Principality, few people have ever seen Charlene Wittstock. Secret, the future sovereign princess of Monaco, who will marry 1 and July 2 to His Serene Highness Albert II.

 The lucky ones have quickly crossed during his morning jog on the narrow road overlooking the sea which runs to the port. They have in mind the image of a “the distant, the beautiful woman with an unbelievable body.” With her mystery and her happy melancholy air, the former swimming champion was born here thirty-three years ago in the heart of southwestern Zimbabwe. Yet those who know her swear that she is just the opposite. “Miss Wittstock has the sense of touch, ‘says a friend. “This is a woman of great communication,” adds another. Charlene is warm.

Prior to her gold medal in backstroke, the tall woman grew up in a loving home, surrounded by his father Michael, who works as a sales manager, his two brothers, Gareth (29) and Sean (28 years), with whom she is very protective, especially of his mother, Lynette, swimming instructor.

The Mermaid swam up to her prince

In the 1990s, the family emigrated to Durban, South Africa a metropolis of a million souls, bordered by the Indian Ocean. She spent many hours in training.  Six years later, she won her first championship in swimming. Hard-working and thoughtful, the young woman who was then 18 years, shares her free time between surfing, another of her passions, and ethnic collections of poetry from South Africa.

Of fate, the golden-haired siren will swim in front of the prince, without knowing he is the man of her life. In 2000, she met him for the first time during the Mare Nostrum, the International Swimming competition in the Principality. Captivated by her beauty, Albert II gave her the gold medal in the 200 backstroke and exchange a few words that night. The story might have ended there. Who could seriously believe that a romance is to build thousands of miles away? For five years, Charlene and Albert maintain contact by telephone then lost touch. Until a mutual friend brought them together again at a party. The two lovers have been together ever since. In 2006, they appeared for the first time together at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.

Before announcing their engagement in June of last year, the bride and groom took time to get to know each other. They have long talked about sports, their favorite subject and passion has taken precedence over their relationship. To believe Charlene, she was so surprised by the prince’s marriage proposal she was still in shock a week later. “I’m not even sure I said yes,” she said in TV Mag. “This marriage is a very exciting time, she said to Madame Figaro. I think any woman who is lucky enough to be loved by the man she loves living a fairy tale.

Today, the beauty is captured by the world press. But, she is wary. Like the Princess Stephanie, she is extremely close, Charlene back from those who gravitate to Grimaldi. “His goal is to learn to master French, confesses an observer. She has made great progress in this direction. She understands the language and even beginning to talk. “As an elite athlete accomplished, especially Charlene manages the pressure of his wedding with strength determination. She she is confident and serene.

After this global event that will bring excitement in the Principality, Albert and Charlene will spend their honeymoon in South Africa. Undoubtedly, they will not wait long before giving birth to their first child. “Prince Albert saw early on that Charlene will be a perfect mother for his descendants,” says a reliable source. Charlene has the family spirit He even helps her balance. Very complicit with his brothers, Charlene also maintains close ties with Pauline, the second daughter Stephanie has had with Daniel Ducruet, who she swims with regularly.

If Ms. Wittstock has long aimed to compete in the Olympics, she finally gave it up, for love. Do not think as long as it is a submissive wife to her husband. “Charlene is a strong woman. It has character and will not be pushed around. No doubt she will make decisions that will count ensures a friend of the couple. It has strong shoulders to bear, alongside her husband, the functions of the sovereign.” Princess is engaged in charitable endeavours, Charlene could choose to be an ambassador for the Red Cross, the association created by Princess Grace. It would be a unique tribute to Albert’s mother.

Recently, the Television Festival hosted by the Principality, Charlene received the American stars present at the palace. “It was divine, cute and accessible information Bernard Montiel, very involved in this event. It must be said that it has an incredible look! The first thing you notice when you see it is its beauty. ” He remembers the gala after the Red Cross at the Monaco Sporting Club. “Charlene let loose on the dance floor. As women age, it is modern.

With her piercing emerald eyes the South African swimmer, whose love for the Principality is not vain, is determined to show that she is alive.

So there you go.  If you don’t like my translation or if I have made a spelling mistake (which happens when one types incredibly fast, and has more important things to do than to post all day long) you can suck it!   🙂

Source and photo courtesy of: France Soir

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