Another Casiraghi Wedding

I was waiting for the Palace to release some official photos of the event but, as that has yet to happen, better to mention it now before it gets any later. Last Saturday, July 25, Pierre Casiraghi and long-time girlfriend Beatrice Borromeo were married in a small, private, civil ceremony in the Salon des Glaces at the Princely Palace in Monaco. Only about 70 close friends and family attended the ceremony though there were about 500 guests at the reception following in the palace gardens and later at the evening festivities at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. Beatrice and Pierre have been together for the last seven years, she is from a very old and well-connected Italian family and Pierre, as we all know, is the second son of Princess Caroline and the late Stefano Casiraghi, nephew of Prince Albert II and grandson of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. The two met in Milan and are expected to have a more lavish event for the religious ceremony later in Italy on the bride's ancestral estate. We wish them all the best in their married life.

Pierre & Beatrice over the years:

Casiraghi Craziness

The media has been having a great deal of fun at the expense of at least two of the members of the Casiraghi trio. The stories about Charlotte have, at least, been rather more kind. French celebrity experts have been saying recently that the Casiraghi cutie has been trying to distance herself somewhat from her role as the "face" of the Gucci brand. Whether this is true or not (or how one could even tell) I don't know but that's the story. The reason for this, reportedly, is that Charlotte does not wish to be seen as a model or rather as the stereotypical sort of model. In other words, she's more than just another pretty face; which of course is absolutely true. She is an extremely intelligent, educated and cosmopolitan young lady. However, I would be a little bit skeptical about this (just a little bit) because it seems to play on a rather tired stereotype of the supermodel (and if Charlotte is to be considered a model, she would most definitely be "super") which, as we all know, is that they are all beauty and no brains. I'm certainly no expert on the fashion or modeling world but I am familiar with a few supermodels and they very intelligent and accomplished women, business savy, multilingual and involved in a number of commendable social causes. What is even harder for me to believe is the alleged reason for Charlotte taking the job with Gucci in the first place; that it was basically a quick and easy way to make some major cash. I certainly know, as the reports state, that equestrian competitions are a very expensive hobby. However, it is hard for me to imagine someone with the finances of a Casiraghi doing something they would rather not do just because they need the money. A Casiraghi "needing" money for anything strikes me as a bit far-fetched, but, of course, I could be wrong. These are hard times for alot of people.

More annoying though was a recent and very hostile story in the New York Post about Pierre Casiraghi and his ongoing legal fight with Adam Hock. According to the NYP the prosecutor involved was given a report from the Monegasque doctors who treated Pierre after he left the Big Apple saying that his facial injury required him to be placed on disability for a month. And, of course, the usual "poor little rich boy" juvenile jokes and insults quickly followed. Hock's lawyers have, of course, been 'front and center' for the media from the start of this whole affair and they have been quick to lampoon the report and claim that there is a dispute between the American and European doctors. According to the NYP article the New York doctors who treated Pierre at the hospital where he was taken immediately after the brawl said he suffered only a "superficial laceration" to his face whereas Pierre has said there was a "fracture" involved. What the Hock spin-meisters have not explained is why Pierre was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance in the first place if all he had was basically a scratch (which would also tend to make Hock look not-so-tough considering what he himself said he did in the fight). They also continue to claim that Pierre and his wealthy cohorts have a history of bad behavior at nightclubs around the world which, I will say again, if proven will greatly surprise me since I am inclined to believe we would have heard about it before now. But, I was tired of this story about the day after it happened and will just be glad when it's all over.

MM Video: The Casiraghi Crowd

Annual AMADE Gala

On Thursday the Casiraghi Duo (no Pierre this time) and Princess Caroline were out in all their Mediterranean glory for the annual AMADE charity gala. Princess Caroline, dressed in black and notably subdued, still seemed to be feeling the loss of her aunt Princess Antoinette, but, as has often been said, the House of Grimaldi is all too familiar with tragedy and they have carried on quite well. It helps that AMADE (the World Association of Children’s Friends, a foundation started by HSH Princess Grace) is near and dear to Princess Caroline and she has devoted herself to her charity whole-heartedly. Charlotte looked her usual stunning best in a yellow dress (you see Charlie, there are colors other than black!) and big brother Andrea turned more than a few heads with his choice of footwear. A handsome black tuxedo was set off by a pair of quite unusual zebra-striped shoes. Longtime girlfriend Tatiana Santo Domingo was also on hand with Andrea for the event. The gala included an auction of artwork and other items along with a performance by a stand-up comedian (possibly a first?) to raise money for AMADE which helps children in impoverished countries around the world.

Caro's Winter Holiday

HRH Princess Caroline has taken off for a little winter holiday in Zürs.

Little Princess Alexandra of Hanover, ready to hit the slopes.

Charlotte Casiraghi, wearing one of her usual 'annoyed but cute' expressions.

Well, the dog's not going to walk itself is it?

MM Video: The Casiraghi Trio

Caroline & Casiraghi News

Are Andrea Casiraghi and longtime girlfriend Tatiana Santo Domingo (seen above) a thing of the past? That's what has the Monaco rumor mills humming ever since photos came out of the 2nd in line to the Monegasque throne on the island of Ponza walking and getting quite romanitic with a girl who was definitely not Tatiana though he was seen again with her the following day. If this is the end of their relationship, I would find it a shame as Tatiana was always my favorite Casiraghi girlfriend and seemed a very "normal" girl very at home in her own skin. Mad for Monaco will follow the story. In other news HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover and daughter Charlotte Casiraghi were among the VIP's attending the benefit gala for the Miracle Africa International Foudation Gala in Valkenswaard. Charlotte was also recently at a riding event in France but did not do so well and was in tears from the pain in her wrist from her recent car wreck. Luckily, attentive mom Princess Caroline was on hand to rush to her little girl's aid with an ice pack. There's your 'heart warming' moment folks. Take them when you can.