H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Honors the Military Guards of La Force Publique

On May 11, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco participated in a well-known event “… honoring the military guards of La Force Publique…”   This ceremony, which was held in the courtyard of the Palais Princier de Monaco, essentially honors the members of His Serene Highness’s Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers and Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (those who serve him and his country.)

The prince looked all spiffy in his military uniform as he smiled from ear to ear whilst walking past the current members of the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers and Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince.

To view photos from today’s event please click the link here.

Source: GI   Photo courtesy of:  Wikipedia, Monaco

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Meets with Various Officials and Remains Bored While Doing So

Hot off his trip to sexy Brazil, on May 10, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco had an arduous and otherwise boring day filled with official duties.

So what did he do? Well, he met with three VIP officials, from around the world, whereupon each of them presented the prince with letters of credence at the Palais Princier de Monaco.

First, he met with Kornelios Korneliou from Cyprus.  Then, he met with Francisco Galindo Velez from El Salvador. And, finally he met with Michel Robitalle, Quebec’s Delegate General.

After meeting with each of these VIP men, there was boring small talk and smiles for the press.  Then H.S.H. Prince Albert invited each of the men — separately — into the palais’ drawing-room where each man had a one-on-one discussion about important matters… like who they believe will be the Eurovision 2011 winner.

I’m kidding.  They most likely discussed economic and bilateral relations.

To view photos from today’s event please click the link here. 

Source:  Palais Princier de Monaco  Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Bauer Griffin

H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover, H.S.H. The Hereditary Princess of Monaco Attends a Fashion Show in the South of France

On May 9, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover, H.S.H. The Hereditary Princess of Monaco attended the Chanel fashion show in Cap d’Antibes, France.

Accompanied by her youngest daughter, H.R.H. Princess Alexandra of Hanover, the royal duo supported Princess Caroline’s closest friend, fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld,  when he showcased his designs for Chanel , “…as part of “Croisiere 2011-2012…”  

According to various reports, after the show H.R.H. Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra attended the screening of Mr. Lagerfeld’s latest film, “The Tale of a Fairy.”

To view photos from today’s event please click the link  here.

H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover, H.S.H. The Hereditary Princess of Monaco: News and Activities Update

On May 7, 2011, H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover, H.S.H. Hereditary Princess of Monaco attended the 44th Annual Concours International de Bouquets in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.  The lovely princess was in a fantastic mood as she walked through the myriad of flowers that were spread throughout the event venue at the Casino de Monte-Carlo.

The purpose for H.R.H. Princess Caroline attending this event was to judge the floral competition.  Every year, the Monaco Garden Club, organizes this competition which allows relative amateur floral designers from “… 100 to 150 distant countries…” a chance to showcase their talents to the world. Moreover, every year there is a theme in which all participants must adhere to.  This year’s theme:  South Africa.

To learn more about the Monaco Garden Club please click the link here.  To view photos please click the links here and here. 

Two days before the 44th Annual Concours International de Bouquets the princess participated in the final selection of various Chasubles that are to be worn during the “…the centenary of the Cathédrale de Monaco consecration…”  

According to the French newspaper, Nice-Matin, Princess Caroline’s main objective and duty was, “… to evaluate and override some of the clothing.  Key criteria’s include: originality, construction, finishing and symbolism.”  The winner of the competition will have the honor of seeing their design on the Cathédrale de Monaco’s Archbishop Bernard Barsi when His Holiness Pope Benedict visits Monaco, the princely family and Archbishop Barsi in 2012.

Finally, these lovely Chasubles will be on display at the Cathédrale de Monaco until the end of May 2011.

To view photos please click the link here.

Source:  Nice-Matin and Garden Club de Monaco

Photos courtesy of:  Daylife by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe,  Zimbio.com by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe and Nice-Matin by Chavaroche Franz

A Lovely Article About the Late H.R.H. Princess Ka’iulani of Hawai’i

On April 13, 2011, writer Deborah O. Melvin wrote a nice article for the Big Island Weekly newspaper entitled,”The Shattered Vase, A Hula Drama”, about the late H.R.H. Princess Ka’iulani of Hawai’i and the new hula dance, The Shattered Vase by Kumu Paul Neves.

According to Ms. Melvin the new hula by Mr. Neves, “…focuses on the princess’adult life, her uncle King Kalakaua’s death, her aunt, Queen Lili’uokalani’s imprisonment in ‘Iolani Palace, and her trip from schooling in England to Washington, D.C.”

Please click the link here to read article in its entirety.   🙂

Photo courtesy of: Big Island Weekly

H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands Attends an Art Exhibit in Honor of Her Ten Years as Princess. Oh! And, She’s Turning the Big 4-0 on May 17, 2011.

In less than ten days, H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, will turn 40 years old; moreover, next year — February 2, 2012 —  the vivacious princess will celebrate ten years as a princess.

So, in honor of her upcoming ten-year mark as well as her birthday an exhibit opened at the stunning Het Loo Palace this afternoon highlighting Princess Maxima’s life.  According to PPE the exhibit, “… highlights the position of the Princess in the Royal family, her various social functions and her fashion style.”  Attendees included Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands along with — you guessed it — Princess Maxima.  H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Orange was not present.  He’s in Greenland at the invitation of the World Wildlife Fund.  

To view photos from today’s event please click the links here and here.   To watch a video please click the links here and  here. 

Finally, several weeks ago I reported about the upcoming documentary entitled, Máxima: Portrait of a Princess, that will air on May 16, 2011, and I just wanted to remind my awesome readers from the Netherlands to not miss this program.  It sounds as if it will be an interesting one.

So, yeah, watch it if you can.   🙂

Source: PPE  Photo courtesy of:  Daylife by Mark Renders/Getty Images Europe

The Monaco Princely Wedding: New Information

For the past several months there were rumors swirling around South Africa and Monaco that H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, will have a “second” wedding in Durban, South Africa.

Well, those rumors are true.

According to the Times Live newspaper, the princely couple will indeed celebrate their nuptials for a second time.  The event will be held at the “… Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks on July 7, 2011…” just five days after their lavish civil as well as religious ceremony in Monaco.

Wayne Coetser, a spokesperson for the Oyster Box Hotel, recently spoke to Times Live journalist, Brett Horner, whereupon he noted:

‘It’s a lavish affair, with a menu that will feature some South African delicacies,’ said Coetser, adding that only the best champagne would be served to complement the bespoke menu by executive chef Kevin Joseph.  ‘We’re keeping everything under wraps, but I can say it will be a luxurious affair…’

However, the celebrations will not include another religious ceremony; rather, the couple opted to invite 200 of their dearest friends for a mega food fest.  There are also speculations that the new princely couple will honeymoon somewhere in Africa… Kenya perhaps.

Finally, it is still unknown if the two-day civil and religious ceremony, that will take place on July 1 and 2, 2011, will be broadcasted by the major cable networks in the United States (i.e. CNN, MSNBC, etc.)  Nonetheless, as I previously reported those who subscribe to TV5 Monde may be able to view the wedding on their television sets in the United States. Also, France2 will stream the wedding online (only to those living in France) along with Monaco Info de Ligne.  For those living in Germany, the wedding will be available to watch via ZDF.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here.  To learn more about the Oyster Box Hotel please click the link here. 

Source: Times Live  Photo courtesy of:  Zimbio.com by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images Europe

All the latest news and events from monarchies around the world.