On February 20, 2011, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was in Königssee, Germany to watch the Men’s Bobsleigh World Championship. The Prince was all gung-ho about the race that one could feel that he was jealous that he wasn’t participating in the event.
Any who, after the race was over he took several photos with the winners and losers and spoke to the press.
How lovely.
In this week’s French magazine, Point de Vue, there is an artist’s interpretation of what the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco may look like. Now, these are not the actual details; however, the artist does give the viewer an insight as to what could be. From the grand religious ceremony at the Palais Princier de Monaco to the sumptuous reception at the Musée Océanographique.
Overall, the impressions are quite lovely and grand.
If you happen to run across the latest issue of Point de Vue I highly recommend you purchase it.
On February 10, 2011, a commemorative coin honoring the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco was released today in Paris, France.
The coin was presented by the famous fashion designer Christian Lacroix at the Monnaie de Paris; Mr. Lacroix also designed this medal which has Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock’s name on it as well as the date of the religious ceremony on it.
It’s a nice looking coin… pointless, but nonetheless nice. I suppose.
Photo courtesy of: Getty
This evening at the luxurious Hotel Crillon, in Paris, France, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco received the Codes Monégasques from Lexis Nexis CEO, Philippe Carillon.
Other attendees at the event were some of Monaco’s legal eagle team including Laurent Anselmi and Michel Roger, the Minister of State in Monaco.
To view more images from the event please click the link below.
Source and photo courtesy of: Day Life by Francois Durand/Getty Images.
In today’s Riviera Times, there is a slightly interesting article about the upcoming Princely wedding in Monaco.
Like the British royal wedding, there is much speculation as to whom will receive an invitation to the princely wedding come July 1 and 2, 2011 in Monaco. But, the big question (that the writer decided to ignore) is which ruling monarchs will turn down their invite, and which heir or spare will attend the princely wedding in their place.
Now, I know a lot of people are expecting every major royal house to attend HSH Prince Albert II’s wedding, but to be quite honest, I don’t believe all the monarchs will accept his invitation. Rather, I believe several heirs and many “spares” will attend.
For example, HM Queen Elizabeth II will not attend. The Queen will send The Earl and Countess of Wessex to represent her. HM King Harald and HM Queen Sonja of Norway may not attend. Instead, he will send his heir, HRH Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. It is highly unlikely that HM Queen Margrethe and HRH Prince Henrik of Denmark will attend; moreover, it is likely that the heir to the Danish throne, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary, will trek to Monaco this summer. Or, HM Queen Margrethe II will send her second son, HRH Prince Joachim and HRH Princess Marie.
The three monarchs that may say YES to Prince Albert’s invitation HM King Carl Gustav and HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, HM King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium as well as HM Queen Sofia of Spain minus HM King Juan Carlos of Spain. HRH Crown Princess Victoria and HRH Prince Daniel of Sweden will attend as well as HRH Crown Prince Philipe and HRH Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium.
HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands may trek to Monaco along with her son, HRH Prince Willem-Alexander and HRH Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. The Grand Ducal family without a doubt will attend.
The princely house of Liechtenstein will attend, again, without a doubt as well as all the non-reigning royal and princely houses throughout Europe.
Anyway, to read the article from the Riviera Times please click the link: Riviera Times Article
Meanwhile, on one of my favorite blogs, Monte-Carlo Daily Photo, the writer and photographer took some photos the other day of the Palais Princier de Monaco being prepped for the upcoming princely wedding. Click the link to view: Monte Carlo Daily Photo
While everyone on planet Earth is over-joyed and super excited about the British royal wedding between HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton, come April 29, 2011, in Monaco the Palais Princier de Monaco PR people are working overtime to garner 1/3 of the attention from people around the world regarding the Princely wedding in Monaco.
In the Sunday edition of the French newspaper, Nice-Matin, there is a sweet and otherwise repetitive and boring article regarding the upcoming Royal Princely wedding between HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Charlene Wittstock. Here is what the writer had to say:
Five months until the event the preparations are advancing and the Princely Palace looks forward to the July 2 appointment very festive in the streets of Monaco!
On the evening of the Saint Devote ceremony Charlene Wittstock is was glowing. The South African will become, on July 2, The Princess of Monaco. the wife of Albert II. This will be an exceptional event in Monaco. Since the announcement of their engagement on June 23, speculations on the preparations for the union of Albert II and Charlene began in the tabloid world. During the wedding there will be 4,000 privileged spectators witnessing their religious union on July 2 on the Rock. But, there will be sections cordoned off by security services even though everyone is supposedly invited to take part in the marriage festival in Monaco. Reports note that there are even more major surprises being prepared behind palace walls.
A cocktail Reception on the Place du Palais?
The celebrations start in the afternoon on Friday 1st July. That day, the bride and groom are united civilly in the throne room of the Palais. For her marriage in 1956, after the civil ceremony, Prince Rainier III had invited his subjects on the Palace Square for a cocktail. His son, Prince Albert II, could do the same.
Outdoor Mass and red carpet?
The next day, the religious union will not take place at the Cathedral of Monaco, but instead at the Palais Princier de Monaco’s courtyard at 5pm. The Archbishop of Monaco, Monsignor Bernard Barsi, will officiate the open-air mass. There will be a canopy in the courtyard in case the weather doesn’t hold up or if the heat turns out to be too much for the guests. Several flat screen televisions will be scattered throughout the plaza. For the pomp, a red carpet be placed in the Palace Square from the barracks of the carabinieri to the door of the courtyard. It will be the same red carpet for Charlene Wittstock when she walks down the aisle on the arm of her father to the altar.
Giant screens in strategic locations?
A first round of invitations has been sent to royals, princes, heads of state and dignitaries. The names of guests, at this time, remains a secret. Again, several giant screens will be positioned at strategic locations in order to provide the “show” for all the people to simultaneously watch while in Monaco. “We want as many people as possible can attend this great celebration in the streets of the principality,” smiled Christiane Stahl, adviser to the Prince. If the Palace Square will be reserved for guests, streets and squares of Monaco will be fully open to the public for the webcast.
Lap of honor of the newlyweds?
The newlyweds might do a city tour [wave-a-thon] and then a walkabout. As is tradition, the bride will place her bouquet at the Church of Saint Devote, the patron saint of the Principality.
The royal couple may go down the Avenue de la Porte-Neuve to the Port Hercule and the church, passing the crowd on his way in a vehicle. Then the procession will head on down the Avenue d’Ostende, to the Casino, before heading back to the Palais Princier de Monaco.
The make and model of car is still unknown at this time. The couple may chose an electric since the Prince is environmental conscience. One thing is for certain this will be a popular marriage and Prince Albert II promises that this will be a huge media event.
Great. 🙂
I wish the couple much love, happiness, and all.
Source: Nice-Matin
Several days ago HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was in St. Moritz for the 3rd Annual Bobsleigh Monaco Historic Race. After the event was over the Prince Albert decided to hang around lovely St. Moritz for a day of skiing.
The Swiss online newspaper, Schweizer Ferneshen, caught up with the Prince during his stay and asked him about his upcoming marriage to Miss Charlene Wittstock, the challenges the couple will face, and fertility.
Yes, I said, fertility.
Per the article and video here is what Prince Albert had to say:
‘We have no time to be nervous, I have a lot to do, not just the wedding preparations, but also a lot of administrative duties,’ he says.
For someone like Albert of Monaco, who was long considered womanizer, the wedding is a big step. Nevertheless, his wishes for the future remain modest and realistic. He was already very happy, but ‘…the wedding is a further step, which I am very happy.’
Our time is complex and challenging as it is important for my life partner to be a reliable support to meet these challenges,’ said Prince Albert. ‘I know that there will be obstacles, but that happens for all couples in this world.’
Prince Albert has finally found the right thing in Charlene Wittstock. A successor will make his happiness perfect, but the sports-loving Prince does not dream of having his own family football team. ‘I do not want to contribute to the overpopulation of the world. But, one or two would be a blessing.’
To watch the video of HSH Prince Albert speaking click the link: HSH Prince Albert blabbing about his upcoming marriage
Source: Schweizer Ferneshen Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Bauer Griffin
The Royal Correspondent 