Tag Archives: Charlene Wittstock

Monaco Princely Family

Updates Regarding the Upcoming Princely Wedding in Monaco

According to the French newspaper, Nice-Matin, the reception venue for the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco has been changed.  Originally to be held at the stunning Musée Océanographique the venue was deemed “too small.”  As a result, the Prince and future Princess of Monaco and their guests will be celebrating at the Salle Garnier on July 2, 2011.

In a statement released to Nice-Matin, per the Palais Princier de Monaco:

…following the logistical problems encountered in organizing the official dinner at the Musée Océanographique on Saturday, July 2, it was decided that the evening would be held in the Salle Garnier and the terraces of the Casino. This change of location will promote a more flexible management of the festivities.

Well, I suppose that is good news for the Salle Garnier for it is a lovely place.  Let’s hope this is the last change of locations and other stuff before the princely wedding.  Why would I say that, you may ask?  Because there has been at least a billion changes — from the date of the ceremony to the wedding ceremony venue and so on — since the official announcement was made last summer… that’s why.   🙂

To read the article in its entirety please click the link below.   To learn more about the Salle Garnier please click the link here.

Source:  Nice-Matin  Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Amedeo M.Turello/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

Updates About the Upcoming Princely Wedding in Monaco

As you know there are only three and a half months until the big day in lovely Monaco. And, as you know, some detailed information about the wedding was released to the public a couple of weeks ago whereupon it was announced that Lexus would be the official sponsor/partner of the princely wedding.

Well, now it seems that another mega car company will be a sponsor/partner in the wedding. Who is it you may ask?  It’s BMW!

Yup, the famous German automotive company has the supreme honor of providing a myriad of lovely luxury limousines to “…carry the High personalities invited by the Principality during the festivities of Saturday the 2nd of July.” (Mariage Princier Monaco 2011)

Unlike the Lexus Hybrid (the LS600h) car that will whiz H.S.H. Prince Albert II and his bride, Charlene Wittstock, through the streets of Monaco after the nuptials on July 2, 2011, the BMW limos are not environmentally friendly.  Oh quel dommage.

Source: Mariage Princier Monaco 2011 Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family

An Article in Paris Match About the Future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock

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In the recent edition of the French magazine, Paris Match, there is a nice yet slightly sugary article about the future princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock.   The writer basically rehashes what many royal watchers already know about Miss Wittstock except for perhaps one or two new facts.

Here is a snippet from the article translated for those who do not speak French:

Today, Charlene is willing to restore the royal palace to its former glory.  Entering in this 900 year old castle, which dates back to the sixteenth century, Charlene would like to see the it t return to its originality.

She is also aware of the honor walking in the footsteps of Princess Grace some fifty years later, she can not afford to be a pale copy.  A South African Journalist recently asked her about her resemblance to Princess Grace highlighting her charisma and ethereal blond hair, she replied: ‘You can not compare two people, because they are unique! ‘

However, like Grace when she moved to Palace in 1956, Charlene was immediately found that it lacked a feminine touch. ‘We see no woman has lived here for a while. I would like to make some significant changes to the rooms.
‘Move, refresh, relieve, it is in its character.’  And it is this spirit that she would like infuse the scene and, beyond, perhaps, to Principality. Like Albert, she enjoys contemporary art.

During a trip to New York, the couple visited the Jeff Koons gallery  which the painter and sculptor shows off his very “pop art”.   In the palace today, Prince Albert has decorated many rooms with abstract paintings which are hung on the walls of the princely residence many of them over above period furniture.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link:  Paris Match (it’s in French, obviously.)  🙂

Source: Paris Match Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

“Hey Ms. Swiss President, Would You Like to Come to My Super Awesome Princely Wedding?”

As you know the wedding invitations for the upcoming princely nuptials in Monaco between H.S.H. Prince Albert II  and Miss Charlene Wittstock were sent out a month or so ago.

Currently, several royals including T.R.H.s Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, T.R.H.s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, and Sheikha Mozah of Qatar have confirmed their attendance. Moreover, several politicians have also confirmed; unfortunately, one prominent head of state will not attend.

It was announced this afternoon that the President of Switzerland, Micheline Calmy-Rey, declined to attend the princely wedding.

According to the Swiss newspaper, Swiss Info, the “…Ambassador to France and Monaco will attend in her place.”

To read the rest of the article in its entirety please click the link:  Article

Source: Swiss Info Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Bauer Griffin

Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Hangs with the Rellies in Newport, County Mayo in Ireland

On his last day in lovely Ireland, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco along with his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, spent the latter part of the day with his cousins in Newport, County Mayo in Ireland.

According to the Irish Times:

The couple met Irish cousins in Newport House, and an honorary cousin for the day – one Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring who had been instrumental in securing the Mayo visit. Afterwards they walked over the Newport river to the Gráinne Uaile pub, where both reportedly partook of pints of Guinness.

The prince’s fiancee didn’t seem put out by the weather. “It’s wet and raining, but it’s beautiful,” Charlene Wittstock said. André Connolly, a pupil at Cuilmore National School in Newport, was ecstatic as he helped form a guard of honour for the couple’s cup of tea in Newport House.

Overall, the state visit to Ireland seemed to be a success; however, there is one journalist, Gerry O’Carroll, from the newspaper The Herald who believes Prince Albert’s visit is simply, well, unnecessary.  Mr. O’Carroll notes:

As much as the people of Ireland admire the Prince’s late mother Grace Kelly, I think the timing of his visit is inappropriate.

For, while pomp and ceremony may brighten up our gloomy political and economic landscape, it’s something we can’t afford at this time.

Here we are, a country on its knees and in receivership to the IMF and ECB, and we’re facing another two State visits in the next month — from Queen Elizabeth and US President Barack Obama.

The costs are going to be enormous and it will put a huge strain on the resources of the Justice Department and An Garda Siochana.

But we can justify the costs of the other two big visits.

Queen Elizabeth’s will be historic and healing, the final glue to cement the Good Friday Agreement and a major act of reconciliation between our two nations.

The visit of the most powerful man on earth, President Obama, is of extraordinary importance, culturally and financially, and is likely to pay dividends.

I can’t say the same about Prince Albert and his fiancée.

The closest Ireland benefits from Monaco is that it is home to expat millionaires who use the wealthy state as a tax haven, including Michael Smurfit. (The Herald)

I must say that Mr. O’Carroll does have a valid point; however, I do believe this past state visit will see some benefits in the future… if that makes any sense.

Anyway…

To read another article about the visit to Prince Albert’s visit to his mother’s ancestral home please click the link: Article

To view a photo gallery from the state visit to Ireland please click the link:  photos and with the relatives.

And, finally an article about Charlene which you can read here.

Source and photo courtesy of: Irish Times by Maxwells
Monaco Princely Family

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock in Galway, Ireland

After a two-day state visit in Dublin, Ireland, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, have headed on over to Galway, Ireland where they had a chance to visit the Marine Institute which Prince Albert personally organized since he  “…has a keen interest in marine environmental awareness.”

Later on this evening, according to the Irish newspaper, Galway News, the Prince and his fiancée will:

… [met with] his cousins from Galway this evening.

The Prince and his fianceé Charlene Wittstock are visiting the ancestral home of his late mother Princess Grace in Newport before flying out of Knock airport.

Salthill resident Cathy Hughes and her daughter Isabelle Green are among 20 relatives invited to meet the Prince for tea in Newport.

Cathy’s mother Maura Kelly and Grace Kelly were first cousins.

To watch of video of the couple (speaking of course) from today at the Marine Institute please click the link: Video Reaction from the people in Newport, County Mayo about the princely visit: Video and Photos galore

Finally, there is a nice and slightly sugary article about the future Princess of Monaco from the Irish newspaper, The Herald.  Please click the link to read: Article

Source: Galway News and  RTE.ie Photo courtesy of: RTE.ie

Monaco Princely Family

A Reception at Farmleigh House With Charlene Wittstock and H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

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