Portrait courtesy of Vanessa von Zitzewitz/Palais Princier de Monaco
In Monaco-Ville, the Palais Princier de Monaco has released the official 2025 Christmas card portrait of Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, together with His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Jacques of Monaco and Her Serene Highness Princess Gabriella of Monaco, and the family’s dog, Harley.
The photograph was taken in the private family room of the Palais Princier by Monaco-based, German-born photographer, Ms. Vanessa von Zitzewitz.
On Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, Hereditary Prince Jacques, Marquis des Baux, and Princess Gabriella, Comtesse de Carlades, will celebrate their 11th birthdays.
On Friday, July 1, 2022, the Palais Princier de Monaco released a new photo of Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco on the occasion of their 11th wedding anniversary.
The image, photographed by Mr. Eric Mathon, was taken in the back garden of the Palais.
On Wednesday, June 23, 2010, the Palais Princier de Monaco announced the engagement of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and Miss Charlene Lynette Wittstock, an Olympian swimmer from South Africa.
On July 1, 2011, at 5 P.M. the couple were civilly married in the Throne Room at the Palais Princier. The two witnesses were Mrs. Donatella Knecht de Massy and Mr. Chris Levine (Prince Albert II’s first cousin) with Mr. Philippe Narmino conducting the civil marriage.
After the civil ceremony, the princely waved to the crowds from the balcony of the Salon des Glaces at the Palais Princier. After a reception on the Place du Palais Princier with hundreds of Monégasques and government officials, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended a private cocktail reception for friends and family at the Hermitage hotel in Monte-Carlo.
Later in the evening, the princely couple along with hundreds of people from around the world arrived at Port Hercule in Monte-Carlo to attend a concert by French artist, Jean-Michel Jarre, in honor of the princely wedding.
The couple were married in a religious ceremony held in the courtyard of the Palais Princier de Monaco on July 2, 2011. Guests in attendance included Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Duke and Duchess of Brabant (now Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians), Their Royal Highnesses Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark, Their Imperial and Royal Highnesses Prince Georg Friedrich and Princesss Sophie of Prussia, The Duke and Duchess of Vendôme, The Duke and Duchess of Castro (Bourbon-Two Sicilies), and a then Their Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima of Oranje (not Orange) to name a few.
The 2010 engagement photo of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and a then Miss Charlene Lynette Wittstock
By the way, I love that the couple used the same colors and background tones in their 2010 engagement photo; moreover, the image was taken not too far from where their princely couple’s engagement photo was taken twelve years ago. 🙂
On the afternoon of Thursday, June 16, 2022, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco accompanied by their daughter, Her Serene Highness Princess Gabriella of Monaco, watched the Fête-Dieu procession from the balcony at the Palais Princier de Monaco in Monaco-Ville.
The Fête-Dieu, aka Corpus Christi or Corpus Domini, is known as the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. This feast day is celebrated on the Thursday following Holy Trinity, sixty days after Easter, as a reminder of the Institution of the Eucharist which takes place on Holy Thursday of Holy Week. It commemorates the real presence of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine that is traditionally consecrated during the Mass.
On Saturday, June 4, 2022, the Palais Princier de Monaco announced that Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco has tested positive for COVID-19.
At this time, the princess displays a few mild symptoms and her state of health gives no cause for concern. In accordance with Monaco’s health regulations, Princess Charlene will be in isolation for several days.
On the evening of May 24, 2022, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco accompanied by her daughter, Her Serene Highness Princess Gabriella of Monaco attended the 2022 Monte-Carlo Fashion Week Awards ceremony held at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo.
In an interview with Monaco Matin, published on Wednesday, Princess Charlene said:
“When I returned to the Principality, I focused all my energy on my children, my husband, and my health because they are my priority. My health is still fragile and I don’t want to rush things. It’s been a long, difficult, painful path. Today, I feel more serene.”
When asked about the vicious rumors regarding Princess Charlene’s long absence from her family and the Principality she noted that it was “regrettable.” The princess went on to stress that her husband, HSH Prince Albert II, was very supportive; moreover, the princely couple “…discussed those malicious articles together and he did everything to protect me and our children.”
Princess Charlene also confirmed to the newspaper that she will attend the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend alongside her family. She also noted that her son, His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Jacques, will for the first time participate in the Lap of Honor with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II.
On Sunday, April 17, 2022, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco wished everyone a very “…Happy Easter…” on her personal Instagram page. It’s been some time since royal watchers have seen the lovely princess due her to convalescence in a Swiss clinic and then a recent return to the Principality. Nonetheless, the princess looks happy, healthy, and calm. Wishing her much love, light and bright blessings!
Meanwhile, the Palais Princier de Monaco also released Easter photos of the princely family. The additional images were taken in the back garden of the Palais Princier as well as in Palatine chapel where the family attended an Easter service presided over by the Chaplain of the Palais Princier, Father CaesarPenzo.
On Saturday, March 12, 2022, the newspaper, Monaco Matin, announced via a press release from the Palais Princier de Monaco that Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco has returned to the Principality.
Per Monaco Matin:
“In consultation with her physicians and as her recovery is well under way, Their Serene Highnesses have agreed that Princess Charlene can now continue her convalescence in the Principality, with her husband and her children.
In this perspective, Princess Charlene has just returned to Monaco where She is happy to have reunited with her family and loved ones. The next weeks should allow her to fully recover before she can resume her official duties.
As soon as she is strong enough, the Princess looks forward to once again spending time and socializing with the Monegasques.
In order for Princess Charlene to fully recover the princess still requires rest the princely couple asks that we continue to respect their privacy and their family environment”
Welcome home, Princess Charlene!
To read the brief article from Monaco Matin (in French) please click the link below:
The Royal Correspondent 