Tag Archives: Princess Charlene of Monaco

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco Attend the Provale Solidarité Charity Gala in Paris

Photo courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck ©

On Friday evening in Paris, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, accompanied by Mr. Gareth Wittstock, attended the second edition of the Provale Solidarité charity gala held at the Four Seasons Hotel George V.

The event was organized by Provale, the national union representing professional rugby players in France. The organization works to defend the rights and interests of rugby players and provides assistance to athletes throughout their professional careers and during their transition to life after sport.

The gala brought together more than 300 guests, including former professional players, prominent figures within the rugby community, and representatives from the wider sporting world.

The evening featured a charity auction, including a selection of exceptional items such as match-worn and autographed jerseys, as well as original works of art. The gala raised more than €120,000 for the Provale Solidarité Fund.

According to the Palais Princier de Monaco, the Sovereign Prince Couple “generously donated tickets to the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final in Australia, together with VIP invitations to the next Monaco Formula One Grand Prix.”

Funds raised during the evening will support Provale’s programs assisting current and former players who face significant personal and professional challenges following their sporting careers.

Many former athletes encounter lasting difficulties after retirement, including long-term physical injuries, challenges related to professional reintegration, and the broader physical and psychological consequences associated with high-level competition.

Events such as the Provale Solidarité gala contribute to sustaining the organization’s mission of providing support and solidarity to players during the most difficult periods of their professional and personal transition after sport. 

Princess Charlene is the President of the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s Official Visit to the Principality of Monaco: Official Program Released

Following the announcement of the one-day official visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the Principality of Monaco, on February 25th, the Diocese of Monaco released the official program for the apostolic and pastoral engagements that will take place during the Holy Father’s stay in the Principality.

According to the program, His Holiness will arrive at the Monaco Heliport at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 28th, where he will be welcomed by Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

At 9:25 a.m., an official welcoming ceremony will take place on the Place du Palais in Monaco-Ville, where Monégasques and residents of the Principality are invited to attend.

Following the ceremony, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco will hold a meeting with His Holiness inside the Palais Princier de Monaco.

After the meeting, the Sovereign Prince couple and His Holiness will greet the public from the balcony of the Palais Princier de Monaco overlooking the Place du Palais

His Holiness will then travel to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée de Monaco in Monaco-Ville, where he will lead the Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Later in the morning, His Holiness will meet with young people and catechumens at the Église Sainte-Dévote in La Condamine.

His Holiness will conclude his official visit to the Principality by celebrating the Saturday Mass of the Fifth Week of Lent at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille at 3:30 p.m. Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, along with Hereditary Prince Jacques of Monaco and Princess Gabriella of Monaco, members of the Princely Family, and representatives of the Sovereign Prince’s Government, are confirmed to attend the Mass.

The upcoming visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will mark a historic moment for the Principality of Monaco. While Pope Paul III was received in the Lordship of Monaco in 1538, the March 28th official visit will be the first apostolic visit by a reigning pope to Monaco in the modern era, underscoring the longstanding historical ties between the Holy See and the Grimaldi dynasty.

Pope Leo XIV to Make Historic Official Visit to Monaco on March 28, Hosted by Prince Albert II

In Monaco-Ville, the Palais Princier de Monaco announced that Their Serene Highnesses Albert II and Charlene of Monaco will host a one-day official visit from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, March 28.

According to the Palais Princier, the visit reflects “the enduring bonds linking the Grimaldi dynasty to the Roman Pontiffs” and the historic diplomatic relationship between the Principality of Monaco and the Holy See.

The invitation was extended by the Sovereign Prince during his meeting with the Holy Father at the Vatican on January 17, 2026, and separately by His Excellency The Most Reverend Dominique-Marie David, Archbishop of Monaco, underscoring both the institutional and pastoral dimensions of the visit.

The Palais Princier further noted that, as a sovereign state in which the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion is enshrined in the Constitution, Monaco regards this spiritual heritage as a foundational element of its national identity and institutional continuity.

The visit is described as a historic moment for the Principality and a sign of hope in a spirit of dialogue and peace.

Palais Princier de Monaco Releases the Princely Family’s Official 2025 Christmas Card

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.

The Palais Princier de Monaco Releases a New Photo of Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

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. 🙂

Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco Tests Positive for COVID-19.

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.

HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Speaks Out About Her Health “I’m Still Fragile.”

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.