Princely Visit to Germany

TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene paid a formal visit to the Federal Republic of Germany. Above we see the Princely couple with President Joachim Gauck and his (ahem) "domestic partner" Daniela Schadt (he has been separated from his wife since 1991 but never divorced). The Sovereign Prince was also greeted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The details of what is discussed on this meetings is never made public but I can't help but wonder if the Germans (who largely fund the money-hole they call the EU) asked Prince Albert for any economic advice. They could certainly do much worse than to imitate the low-taxes and pro-growth policy of Monaco. Below we see the Sovereign Prince doing what visiting heads of state must always do: reviewing a special guard of honor from the Bundeswehr.

Trading in the Jet?

 You knew it was bound to happen; from electric cars to electric planes.Yesterday HSH Prince Albert II was in the Federal Republic of Germany for the Global Show for General Aviation in Friedrichshafen which will run until the sixteenth. While there the Sovereign Prince made a close inspection (as you can see) of "Electra One" electric airplane designed by Calin Gologan. Our Albie seemed impressed enough with it but I cannot see such a think becoming a mainstay of the jet-set crowd anytime soon. The show presented exhibits from 630 sources hailing from 29 countries. Now, the early stages of innovation often appear ridiculous, perhaps rightly so as that separates the men from the boys in the field of invention, and I don't want to be a wet blanket for those who think "smart cars" and "smart planes" now will 'save the planet' but I just have to add something often overlooked. Battery powered vehicles are good for the environment in that they burn no fossil fuels and do not produce pollution. However, the electricity that powers them has to come from somewhere and in most cases it comes from (guess where) burning fossil fuels. Until something more productive and practical than windmills and solar panels come along electric-powered vehicles are simply adding another step to the process. We still have to burn oil or coal to produce the electricity to power the batteries to run the "smart cars". In any event, the march of progress continues and, as usual, the Prince of Monaco is keeping a close eye on it.

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.

Prince Albert in Germany

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II was in Germany today attending the opening ceremony of the 2009 IAAF Athletics World Championships' at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.