Happy Birthday Princess Stephanie

Happy Birthday to HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco!

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Albert, Charlene and Stephanie Videos

Happy Birthday Stephanie!

Happy Birthday Princess Stephanie, the "People's Princess" of Monaco!

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.

Favorite Princely Images: Our Lovely Steph

The Red Cross Ball 2012

Yesterday evening TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the Red Cross Ball, one of the most anticipated annual events in the Principality of Monaco. The German band "Scorpions" provided the entertainment which was finished off in the evening by Boy George acting as DJ.

(left to right) Jean-Leonard Taubert-Natta de Massy, HSH Princess Charlene, HSH the Sovereign Prince, Baronness Elisabeth-Anne de Massy, Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, Gareth Wittstock (brother of Princess Charlene) and his girlfriend  Roysin Galvin.

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 - Daddy's Girl

A North African Craze?

First it was Charlotte and a Franco-Moroccan, now Princess Stephanie and a Moroccan; is there perhaps a North African craze sweeping Monaco? Earlier this month HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco was in the sunny Kingdom of Spain, in Marbella, where she was spotted, all smiles, with 29-year old human pyramid artist Mohamed, whom she met at the last Monaco Circus Festival. Is Princess Stephanie dating another circus performer? It is probably too early to categorize them as an item, the Princess has wisely been taking a more slow and easy approach to romance in recent years, but they seem to be good friends at least and it would fit in with the nearest thing one could call a "pattern" regarding the men in Stephanie's life. Of course, perhaps I'm being too narrow in my view here. Perhaps we should go back to Prince Albert starting a new African trend for the House of Grimaldi. The Sovereign Prince marries a South African beauty, his niece is then linked to a comedian of Moroccan origin and now his sister is photographed with a Moroccan man. Perhaps it is a pan-African craze washing over the Monegasque shores.

I'm sure some will also note the differences in age here. The Princess is 47 and Mohamed here is 29 -not how it usually works. Well, if the man was 47 and the woman 29 no one would bat an eye and it seems like a dumb double-standard to me. Admittedly, I'm not 29 anymore but I still see Princess Stephanie with the same eyes I did in the 80's and I probably always will. Age is just a number and what is inside is most important (or at least it should be) and Princess Stephanie still has the twinkle in her eye of youthful exuberance. I wish Her Serene Highness all the happiness in the world.

MM Video: Our Stephanie

Our Stunning Stephanie

'Back in the day' I had a huge crush on Princess Stephanie, and I must say I've never fully recovered.

Lova ya Steph!

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.

Circus Awards

After considering this photo of our Steph and this troop of flamboyant Asian acrobats the thought occurred to me; Stephanie is probably the only princess in the world I could see in a photo like this and it all seem completely normal. That's why we love ya Steph. That's why we love ya.

Send in the Clowns

It's that time again -the Circus is in town! TSH Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and Princess Stephanie (with Pauline and Camille in tow) attended the opening last night of the 36th annual Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, a tradition started in 1974 by HSH Prince Rainier III who was a life-long fan of the circus. He passed this love to his youngest daughter and Princess Stephanie, as we all know, serves as President of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.

There were lots of smiles all around, Pauline and Camille are really growing up fast (how many times have I said that) and very well I might add. Again this year Princess Stephanie will present the Clown d'Or Award, the most prestigious honor in the circus world. The fastival features the best in Circus acts and performances from professionals around the world -think of it as the Olympics for the Circus (maybe that will help the Prince & Princess relate) and of course is always a lot of fun. The circus may not have the huge popular following that it once did but it is still "the greatest show on earth" and something everyone should see at least once. There is a ton of great talent on display, human and animal, and it's just good, old fashioned family fun. Good on Monaco and kudos to Princess Stephanie in particular for keeping this tradition alive.

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 - The Latest

Princess Stephanie news! It has been far too long since I’ve been able to say anything about my dear Princess Steph. First, we will start out on the lighter side. I would not have found it humorous myself but, I suppose after everything Stephanie has been through over the years you just sort of get used to it after a while. Recently, our Princess Stephanie along with her daughter Camille and one of Camille’s little friends (which I probably shouldn’t say anymore considering how fast they are growing up) were on their autumn vacation at Steph’s favorite (it is probably safe to say) island retreat of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Well, as usual, the prying eyes of the paparazzi were not far beyond and they snapped some photos of the girls in their swimwear and, how to put it… Stephanie in just half of her swimwear. Yeah, not the first time, and when you’re from the Riviera this is so not a big deal, but of course some will have to roll their eyes at it. I will not, of course, be posting any paparazzi pics here but, just let me say, Princess Stephanie, 46 or not, has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Moving along, moving along…the really funny part was when the Grimaldi girls all noticed they were being photographed. Princess Stephanie covered up of course but Camille could not resist making some funny faces at the camera, though she ended with a smile and a peace sign -just to show the tabloid trash they weren’t getting her down. You go Camille!

In more serious news, on Saturday, Princess Stephanie of Monaco was at Port Hercules to start the “No Finish Line” charity foot race which will run until this upcoming Sunday. This is held every year by the Children & Future Charity and raises money for other charitable causes as well, including Stephanie’s own organization Fight AIDS Monaco. I did not see any pictures of her actually starting the race, let us hope she was not as intimidated by the starting pistol as last year. (Stephanie doesn’t like guns!)

MM Video: Stephanie Monaco's Beloved

Princess Stephanie's Russian Visit

It seems that Russia has been *the* place to be in September. Earlier this month HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco, along with daughters Pauline and Camille, were in Moscow for the award ceremony of the “Contest of the Circus Arts” at the Tenth International Youth Festival. Of course, when it comes to the circus world there is no bigger celebrity than our Princess Stephanie. Everyone was all smiles and Pauline pitched in with handing out the trophies. It is nice to see Princess Stephanie and her brood once in a while and they seem so much more ‘grown up’ every time we do.