This evening in Dublin, Ireland, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancee, Charlene Wittstock hosted a reception at Farmleigh House for various Irish dignitaries and politicians including the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese and Mr. McAleese. According to the online news source, RTE.ie, seventy guests attended the event and were treated to a lovely musical performance by, “A group of students and musicians from Monaco…”

All in all this trip, so far, has been a success. Tomorrow morning the couple will travel to Galway and then on over to Newport, County Mayo to visit his late mother’s ancestral home.

To view many photos from the reception at Farmleigh House please click the links: Photos and more photos.

To watch a video from the reception please click the link: Video

Source: RTE.ie Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Europe

Dutch Royal Family

T.R.H.s Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima to Attend the Princely Wedding in Monaco

April 5, 2011 Alexandra

It was announced this afternoon, per the Government Information Service (GIS), that T.R.H.s Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands will attend the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco on July 1 and 2, 2011.

Per Parool.nl:

The prince and princess are the only members of the Dutch royal family that are waiting in Monte Carlo. Willem-Alexander and Albert know each other through their work for the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Other confirmations from various royal and princely houses will be announced as the wedding approaches.

Source: Parool.nl Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Bauer Griffin

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock in Dublin, Ireland: Day Two

April 5, 2011 Alexandra

On their second day of their state visit to Ireland, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock attend a reception at CIty Hall in Dublin. The couple were greeted by the Lord Mayor, Gerry Breen, and his wife, whereupon the Prince and future Princess of Monaco received lovely gifts:

…designed by Irish artists. The Prince will be presented with a Bog Oak Bird sculpture by Irish designer Tony Downey. A teardrop ceramic dish by Dublin designer Michele Hannon will be presented to Charlene Wittstock. (DCC Press Release)

Prior to the reception at City Hall the prince visited Trinity College where he announced that a post-doctoral research post will begin later this year to “… commemorate his late Hollywood actress mother, Grace Kelly.” (Click to read more) and (here)

Later in the afternoon, Prince Albert met with various government officials including the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan “… at the Custom City House for a presentation on the IBM ‘Smarter Cities’ program.”

Tonight, around 7 pm, Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock will attend a reception at Farmleigh. Then the couple will leave Dublin and head to Galway and finally they will visit his late mother’s ancestral home in Newport, County Mayo.

To watch a video from today’s events please click the link: Video To view photos please click the link: Photos

Sources: Press Association, Independent.ie, and Dublin City Council Press Release

Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock Attend a Grand State Dinner in Ireland

April 4, 2011 Alexandra

This evening in Dublin, Ireland, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock attended a lovely gala dinner at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Ireland.

The state gala dinner was attended by various local dignitaries and other VIP people. The dinner was hosted by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

To view photos from tonight’s gala dinner please click the links: Photos and more photos.

To read a nice article about the state visit from the Irish Times please click the link: Article.

To watch two video clips of Prince Albert and Charlene in Ireland please click the links: Video and another Video

Photos courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Bauer Griffin

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

Details About the Upcoming Princely Wedding in Monaco

April 4, 2011 Alexandra

With less than four months to go before the princely wedding in Monaco between H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Miss Charlene Wittstock, new information about the nuptials has been released.

First, the official website for the Palais Princier de Monaco has been redesigned (it looks a hellva lot better.)

Second, they decided to add more detailed information about the wedding including lots of pretty photos (even though there already is a separate website for the princely wedding come July 1 and 2, 2011 which you can view here) of the couple.

Per the Palais Princier de Monaco:

FRIDAY 1st JULY

5.00pm: The civil wedding will take place in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace. It will be celebrated by Mr Philippe Narmino, President of the Council of State. Mr Philippe Narmino is the Ruling Family’s Registrar.
The Monegasques will be able to follow the ceremony on giant screens located on Palace Square. The Square will be accessible to Monegasques and their families from 4pm onwards.

5.50pm: After the ceremony, the newly-wedded couple will appear on the balcony of the Salon des Glaces in order to salute the Monegasques.

6.00pm: A cocktail buffet will be offered to the Monegasques on Palace Square. The Mayor of Monaco will present the gift of the Monegasques to the couple.

The Mairie of Monaco will send the invitations to the Monegasques during the second half of April.

8.00pm: The residents of the Principality will be invited to a reception on the Port.

10.30pm: A large concert will be offered by the newly-wedded couple on the Port. Jean-Michel Jarre will present a unique sound and light show. A very large audience is expected. To this effect, the SNCF will increase its train services and the car parks will be free.

SATURDAY 2nd JULY

5.00pm: The religious wedding will take place in the Main Courtyard of the Prince’s Palace. Miss Wittstock will walk arm in arm with her father along a red carpet, from the Caserne des Carabiniers to the altar. Mass will be celebrated by Monseigneur Barsi. The gates of the Palace will remain open in order to allow around 3500 seated persons to follow the ceremony, which will be broadcast on giant screens on the Palace Square.

6.30pm: The couple will leave the Palace for the Sainte Dévote church in order for the Princess to leave her bouquet.
The public will be able to gather all along the procession route in order to congratulate the couple. The procession will follow the avenue de la Porte-Neuve, avenue du Port and the boulevard Albert Ier, and will return to the Palace following the same route. Giant screens will be installed in the Principality in order to enable the widest audience possible to follow the religious ceremony and the procession of the couple.

9.00pm: The official dinner, which will be followed by a ball, will take place at the Oceanographic museum.

Midnight: A fireworks display will conclude this dinner, which will also have various styles of music.
***Other information***

Friday 1st July and Saturday 2nd July will both be public holidays. However, in order to fulfil the expectations of the public, the restaurants and shops of the Principality will be able to remain open. Exemptions will be examined for shops of over 30 employees.
Miss Wittstock and the Catholic religion

Miss Charlene Wittstock, who professes Christian faith, has been admitted through a free and personal decision into full communion in the Catholic church.

Wedding gifts

For Their wedding, the princely couple do not wish to receive gifts but request that donations be made to foundations and associations. The allocation of the donations received on the accounts specially opened to this effect will be communicated in September.

Wedding souvenirs

These will be available at the start of May.

Lexus — partner of the wedding

Through his involvement in the protection of the environment, the Sovereign has chosen a hybrid vehicle of the Lexus brand to ride to the Church of Sainte Dévote (the Patron Saint of the Principality), where the Princess will leave her bouquet. By a Sovereign Decision of 5th January 2011, the Prince granted the title of Official Supplier to this car manufacturer.

So there you have it. You are now up to date with the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco. And, I must say that I am happy to hear that the couple have decided to ask their guests to donate money or whatever it may be to charitable foundations. Also, I am happy to hear that the Prince will be driven in a Hybrid car after the ceremony to the Sainte Dévote church. However, if Prince Albert deems himself so environmentally conscious then why in the hell is he having a massive fireworks bruhaha?

To view the redesigned Palais Princier de Monaco website as well as to read more info about the wedding please click the link Palais.mc

You can watch the wedding live online here.

Source: Palais Princier de Monaco Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Handout/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family

Charlene Wittstock: She’s Catholic Now!

April 4, 2011 Alexandra 4 Comments

On Sunday evening the Palais Princier de Monaco announced that Miss Charlene Wittstock, the fiancée to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, has converted to Catholicism. According to TF1 News:

‘Miss Charlene Wittstock who professes the Christian faith, has been admitted by free and personal choice into full communion with the Catholic Church,’according to a statement from the palace

Good for her.

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock Have Arrived in Ireland: Day One

April 4, 2011 Alexandra

On March 4, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, arrived in Ireland this afternoon and were soon greeted by the President, Mary McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain in “…Dublin’s Phoenix park.” After a 21-gun salute, national anthems played, the royal couple along with their hosts signed a welcome book.

According to the Irish newspaper, The Independent:

Government officials have said the visit will reflect the long-standing ties between Ireland and Monaco and underline the potential for future co-operation in business, environment, research, education, tourism and culture.

The prince was introduced to the Irish reception party which included Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Ireland’s ambassador to Monaco Paul Kavanagh, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and Defence Forces’ Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean McCann.

He also met the children from St Joseph’s, before attending a private meeting with President McAleese, her husband, Ms Wittstock, Mr. Kavanagh, and Monaco’s honorary counsel in Dublin Howard Kilroy.

Prince Albert then planted an Irish oak in the garden of the Aras, accompanied by President McAleese and the school children.

He left for his next engagement at the Garden of Remembrance in central Dublin with a motorcycle escort.

Security was tight around the Garden of Remembrance, a memorial garden in Dublin’s north inner city which honours the memory of all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom.

Albert was greeted by Defence Minister Alan Shatter and walked the length of the garden past the cross-shaped water feature with Lt Gen McCann. His fiancee followed, escorted by Brigadier General Dennis Murphy.

The prince stumbled slightly as he walked up the steps towards the large sculpture based on the theme of the Children of Lir. (Independent.ie,)

This state visit will last three days and the royal couple will have a packed schedule. More information is coming through the news wire so stay tuned.

To read more about the arrival of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, please click the links: Irish Times, Independent.ie, and The Independent

To view the many photos from today please click the links: Photos galore, photos, and more.

Source: The Independent Photo courtesy of: Day Life via Reuters by Cathal McNaughton