Albert, Charlene and Stephanie Videos

Princess Stephanie, Busier Than Ever

With 'World AIDS Day' coming up on December 1, HSH Princess Stephanie has been very busy lately with her roles as President of Fight AIDS Monaco and Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, as well as the work she does with numerous other organizations and charities to further the causes of awareness about AIDS, preventing the disease and caring for those afflicted by it. A number of new initiatives are being tried this year. Already, last Monday, Fight AIDS Monaco held the first 'get tested' drive in the Principality of Monaco, a campaign called "Test in the City" which provided anonymous HIV testing for free with the results back in only ten minutes. The program was set up on the steps of the Church of Sainte-Devote with a new method called Rapid Test Screening that can be done quickly and effectively. Princess Grace Hospital, the Emergency Department and the Center for Anonymous and Free Screening partnered in the event.

Another undertaking has been Operation "Quilt", the second such event, in which a canvas is covered by images representing people missing from the world because of AIDS. There will be eight canvases sewn together to make each quilt, covering 4m x 4m with the names of people, made by Fight AIDS Monaco, representing people who are victims of AIDS or, for most, living with HIV. This piece of memorial artwork was also displayed at Sainte-Devote Church on Monday. There is also again this year the program "Restauranteers Solidarity" supported by Fight AIDS Monaco which encourages restaurants and cafes to use things like placemats to spread messages on preventing AIDS as well as offering means of prevention to customers, donated by Fight AIDS Monaco. And then there is the auction, done with the support of Barclays Monaco for the last five years, by invitation only, at the Hotel Méridien Beach Plaza on Saturday, 1 December 2012 with over 50 new works of art going up for sale, followed by the Fight AIDS Monaco Summer Gala all of which raise money to support the struggle against HIV/AIDS.

Princess Stephanie at Fight AIDS Monaco Gala

On July 9, HSH Princess Stephanie attended (of course) the Fight AIDS Monaco gala. The theme of the gala was "fiesta" and the dress code was "Gypsy" -hence the Princess' very fetching off-the-shoulder number. Everyone looked to be all-smiles and all for a good cause.

La Princesse Stéphanie au service de la lutte contre le sida

Princess Stephanie's Press Conference

Yesterday, HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco teamed up with renowned footballer Pascal Olmeta for a press conference to discuss the upcoming charity football match to benefit AIDS victims. This will be the second Fight AIDS beach soccer event so far and some of the official sportswear for the game was displayed featuring the organizations involved in sponsoring the event, including Princess Stephanie's own charity Fight AIDS Monaco of course. A good game for a good cause.

Princess Stephanie and World AIDS Day

As everyone knows, HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco has adopted the victims of AIDS as the primary focus of her many charitable efforts. Yesterday was World AIDS Day and Princess Stephanie has been very busy, for many days ahead of time, getting ready for the one day each year when global attention is focused on a problem she cares deeply about. Monday found her at Monaco's Harley Motor Club where, in cooperation with the big hearted bikers, she presented three counterpanes that pay tribute to people who have died from AIDS. For those not into sewing and such things, counterpanes are basically the fabric blocks that make up a patchwork quilt. These will be sent to the Names Project AIDS Memorial quilt in the United States shortly.

Wednesday Princess Stephanie, along with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, were at the Sporting Club to collect their share of the winnings from the casinos. By special agreement a portion of all money from the slot machines at the Casino Cafe de Paris and Sun Casino Jackpots are donated to Monaco-based charities, including, of course, a percentage going to Fight AIDS Monaco among others. Prince Albert II initiated this policy last year, ensuring that, if gambling is a vice, it can at least be one that benefits those in need.

On Thursday night, Princess Stephanie was at the Hotel Meridien Beach Plaza for the annual charity auction, along with Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene with part of the benefits going to Fight AIDS Monaco. The items for sale included a sketch by famed actor Robert Redford, a large wedding portrait of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene as well as a bust of Princess Stephanie (I would have bid a few large for that) which went for over 100,000 euros (so I would have lost). Princess Stephanie is really tireless when it comes to this issue and she is very passionate about it. She's a real champion.

Princess Stephanie on the Job, Alone

Big brother was out of town, on his honeymoon, but that didn't stop Princess Stephanie from carrying on with her duties to the charity she cares most about. She was all on her own this year but still at ease and all smiles as usual for the annual Fight AIDS Monaco summer gala on Wednesday. A concert and charity raffle were held to raise money for Fight AIDS Monaco, of which, as we know, Princess Stephanie is founder and President and the Life House which the Princess built to care for HIV/AIDS victims. The special entertainment was the British rock band "Supertramp" (formerly known as "Daddy" back in the day). Am I the only one that found that slightly humorous? Maybe it was part of a subtle theme: remember kids, if you act like a tramp, even a super tramp, you might end up with AIDS! Of course, it is truly commendable how Princess Stephanie has devoted herself to this charitable service and is one of the benefits of having a royal (or Princely) family that is often so common as to be taken for granted. The Princess does a great deal of good for a great many people -and she is certainly not alone in that amongst the royals of the world.

Video: Princess Stephanie, Jungle Fight Mai 2011

Cinema Against AIDS Gala

The always lovely Charlotte Casiraghi joined her uncle Albert and soon-to-be aunt Charlene at amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS gala on Thursday during the Cannes Film Festival, where the Casiraghi trio are familiar faces. Prince Albert is a veteran of the charity gala but this was a first-time appearance for Charlotte there and she was quite a hit. Prince Albert and Charlene also took home the prize for earning the most money at the auction. What was so valuable that the couple (looking quite glamorous themselves) put up for sale? Two tennis lessons and two swimming lessons. We know Prince Albert loves a game of tennis and we know Charlene is quite the swimmer -will they be taking matters into their own hands? That would certainly make for a memorable event to be sure.

Chinese movie star Zhang Ziyi and an amused Charlotte Casiraghi on center stage

Video: Jungle Fight December 2010

Princess Stephanie on AIDS Day

HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco, founder and president of Fight AIDS Monaco, recently gave an interview with Pascal Olmeta to the Jungle Fight radio show on an upcoming charity football tournament. Here is part of that interview:

Jungle Fight: An event will bring together your two organizations: the Columbus Show Beach Soccer (10 and 11 December), what do you expect?

Princess Stephanie: This event is a very good thing. It will raise awareness of our respective causes. They will both have fun and make a donation. I expect that beyond generosity, there is an exchange. It also shows the solidarity associations. Each is open to fight each other.

Pascal Olmeta: People may attend as a family to a great show. This event proves that we’re all in the same direction. Only the mobilization and information can make a difference.

Jungle Fight: At the dawn of a new decade, what message would you like to wear through your associations?

Princess Stephanie: Try to listen to the news, not to remain ignorant because it leads to discrimination. My real battle I waged against is discrimination against AIDS patients.

Pascal Olmeta: Try to generate as many smiles on the lips of the sick children and their families. A sick child never stops smiling, he never complains. This permanent smile is his strength.

Jungle Fight: There have been advances in research, can it be any hope?

Princess Stephanie: You can not really talk about hope. Of course, there is advances, but nothing is resolved. AIDS contaminates every three seconds. We must focus on screening. It also does not change the fact that HIV-positive are ostracized from society. The associations are certain things that move, should governments get involved.

Jungle Fight: The smile is there the greatest victory in the 10 and 11 December?

Princess Stephanie: Everyone should have a good time but there must be a realization. AIDS is not inevitable. It is important for governments to support their fellow patients. Would that this level of prevention. Why not redo operations “condoms to a euro?

Source: Monaco Maville

Princess Stephanie for Fight AIDS Monaco

Fight AIDS Monaco - Jungle Fight Juillet 2010

Grimaldis Gather for Gala

HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco welcomed her brother Prince Albert II and future sister-in-law Charlene Wittstock to the annual gala dinner for her foundation Fight AIDS Monaco today at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club. The annual event is held to raise money for the most prominent charity of Princess Stephanie who has devoted much of her life to combating the spread of AIDS and comforting those afflicted with the disease. Recently she has been making frequent radio broadcasts related to the foundation and opened a retreat house in France for those suffering from AIDS. She has stressed the need for respect for all human life as well as using "safe sex" methods. This puts the princess somewhat at odds with the Catholic Church, which is not only Stephanie's church but the official state church of Monaco, which maintains that abstinence before marriage and fidelity after marriage is the only "safe sex". Princess Stephanie, for those who look past the headlines, has long been known for being a very warm-hearted person and a very popular member of the Grimaldi family with the native Monegasque population and her concern for AIDS victims demonstrates this. The Princess herself attributed her attitude to the influence of her parents. As Princess Stephanie said, "Mom was generous and open to others, and this is how we have behaved. Dad did nothing but repeat to me: ‘The fact that you are born in this palace does not make you any better or more important’."

Princess Stephanie Opens La Maison de Vie

Last Saturday HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco attended the formal openning of La Maison de Vie, a home to care for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. This has long been a cause very near to Stephanie's heart, she is President of Fight AIDS Monaco and has been involved with the construction of the house from the very begining when she participated in the ground breaking. HSH Prince Albert II attended and Pauline Ducruet was also on hand to support her mother in her work. On the subject of her long and dedicated devotion to helping AIDS victimes Princess Stephanie said, "I saw the rejection that all these people are victims, I could not stand by and do nothing. This suffering, this injustice, these patients alone, abandoned by those they love, it’s horrible. When I was appointed ambassador for UNAIDS, I had the chance to go to New York and monitor the work of Housing Works, an organization that deals with housing for people living with HIV and give them the possibility of taking over their lives."

The home can care for 28 people at a time for up to 3 weeks as well as being able to host the friends and family of those staying there. Nothing was overlooked in providing for every need and, in a nod to Princess Stephanie's very 'green' brother, it was also made environmentally friendly. Princess Stephanie deserves a great deal of credit for her work in this area, she has really been a tireless advocate and a force for providing real assistance to the victims of this disease.

Princess Stephanie in South Africa

HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco has just finished up a trip to South Africa as part of her duties as UNAIDS goodwill ambassador and the President of Fight AIDS Monaco. She inspected centers for care given to AIDS patients, the distribution of assistance and met with numerous leaders to discuss the situation such as Nelson Mandela and his wife, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi (Minister of Health) and Michel Sidibe the executive director of UNAIDS. South Africa is one of the most hard-hit countries in the world by the AIDS epidemic with some 5.2 million people currently infected by HIV.

Princess Stephanie and World AIDS Day

Yesterday was World AIDS Day, a cause very near to the heart of HSH Princess Stephanie, president and foundress of Fight AIDS Monaco. For the occasion she attended the annual auction to benefit her foundation in Monaco at the Sea Club Meridien. Princess Stephanie has given a great deal of herself to this organization and to wider cause of bringing help and comfort to those suffering with AIDS, a section of the populace all too often ignored or marginalized. Princess Stephanie is seen here with one of the items on the block; a portrait of her beloved mother HSH Princess Grace of Monaco.

Princess Stephanie in Germany

HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco was in Germany yesterday visiting the constructional ceramic department of Villery Boch in Mettlach. The firm is responsible for the flagstones for the "Maison de Vie" in Carpentras, the latest major project for Princess Stephanie's AIDS charity "Fight AIDS Monaco". Princess Stephanie held a press conference, where sadly she was asked at least as much about her personal life as about the efforts of her organization in helping AIDS victims, and a luncheon before hopping a private plane back to Monaco.