Baptism Day for the Twins

The Twins Meet the Public

It was a day of celebration in the Principality of Monaco today as the two new twins met their people (and for little Prince Jacques, his future subjects) for the first time. Proud parents Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene presented the babies to the public from the balcony of the Princely Palace and later walked among the crowds of well-wishers turned out to celebrate the adorable new additions to the Princely House of Grimaldi and a new heir to the throne.

It's a Boy And a Girl!

HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco was delivered of two healthy babies (by c-section) with a little girl first and, a couple of minutes later, a son and heir for the House of Grimaldi. Here is the official press release:

It is with immense joy that TT.SS.HH the Prince and Princess of Monaco have the great pleasure to announce the birth of Their children named:

- Gabriella, Thérèse, Marie (born at 17h04)

- Jacques, Honoré, Rainier (born at 17h06)

The births took place on 10th December 2014 at the Maternity of the Princess Grace Hospital Monaco. 

The Princess and the Children are doing well.

The Prince Jacques, Honoré, Rainier is the Crown Prince. In accordance with the historic custom established by the treaty of Péronne (1641), He shall receive the title of Marquis of Baux (in Provence). 

The Princess Gabriella, Thérèse, Marie, second child in the line of succession, shall receive the title of Countess of Carladès (in Auvergne).

The salute fired from Ft Antoine 

The official princely announcement being posted outside the palace

It's Official - Twins on the Way!

The Princely Palace has finally confirmed what has long been rumored: Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco are going to be the parents of twins. Additional congratulations for that! It will be very nice to have a mom, dad and children in the palace again, it has been far too long. Just an extra word though for those reading the hysterical headlines at places like the Daily Mail, this is not causing any confusion or worry over the succession. There is absolutely nothing rule-testing about having twins, it will be the same as with any siblings, it is just that in this case they are arriving much closer together. If the twins are a boy and a girl, the boy will become heir to the throne. If the twins are both boys, the first one out of the gate (so to speak) wins the race for the crown of Monaco. If it is to be twin girls, likewise, the first to arrive will displace HRH Princess Caroline and ultimately succeed to the throne. Perfectly simple, no fuss, no confusion.

More Baby News

Making the news last week, in the Principality of Monaco the mother-to-be Princess Charlene has started to show some visible signs of her maternity at recent public engagements. The Sovereign Prince said that they were “thrilled” and “overjoyed” to learn that a baby was on the way for the Grimaldi dynasty. In other baby-related news, the Princely Family was gathered in full force at the royal chapel in the Princely Palace for the baptism of Raphael, son of Charlotte Casiraghi and Gad Elmaleh. What I have not seen in any of the coverage is exactly what the name of the little bundle is. Raphael…what? The couple are not married and have not given many clues that they intend to change that so is he Raphael Casiraghi or Raphael Elmaleh or what? Perhaps some reader in the know will enlighten me on that score. Anyway, all the best to the new little Christian (with the background of the father I wasn’t entirely sure there would be a christening) and pretty much the whole family was there, the Sovereign Prince and Princess, grandmother Princess Caroline, Andrea, Pierre and their significant others, little Princess Alexandra of Hanover (though she is looking quite grown up these days) and Princess Stephanie and her three children. There were, of course, also members of Gad’s family present but I prefer not to think about him more than is absolutely necessary. Charlotte could have done so much better...

Double the Fun?

Okay, so the word on the street is that the Princely couple may be expecting twins. Is it true? I would like to think so, but I'm biased as twins have tended to run in my family. This rumor came to light from a media figure in South Africa who says he is a friend of Princess Charlene's father who told him the news and he passed it on via Twitter. Yeah. No word from the Palace to confirm this and I would hold off getting too excited until that happens. If and when that confirmation happens, however, I will be properly thrilled. Having twin Grimaldis running around Monaco might just break the adorable meter. So, here's hoping it is true but, again, no point getting too excited until someone in authority says it is so.

Baby on the Way - At Last!

It has just been announced that Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene are expecting their first child! The newest member of the Grimaldi dynasty is scheduled to be born at the end of the year. A boy or girl? What will the name be? Time for all sorts of speculation I'm sure. In any event, congratulations to the happy couple, congratulations to the Princely Family and congratulations to Monaco on this happy occasion.

Long live the Prince!

St David's Day in Monaco

Recently it was St David's day again, the feast day of the patron saint of Wales. TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene marked the occasion by attending the St David's Day Charity Dinner at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.

Monaco's Olympians

Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, both former Olympians themselves, attended a special 'send-off' event for the Monegasque Olympic Team that will shortly be heading to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Wish them the best!

Christmas Cheer in Monaco

Highland Style in Monaco

To commemorate St Andrew's Day, the national day honoring the patron saint of Scotland, HSH Prince Albert II and HSH Princess Charlene attended a special gala dinner at the Hermitage organized by the 'House of Scotland'. Also on hand was Charles Maclean, patron of the Monte Carlo Whiskey Society and other whiskey experts in Monaco for a conference. As some may know, the Sovereign Prince of Monaco is not without Scottish connections as his great-great grandmother, Lady Mary Victoria Douglas-Hamilton was born in the family palace of the Dukes of Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was the wife (for a time) of Prince Albert I and mother of Prince Louis II who was the grandfather of Prince Rainier III.

Princely Couple in Russia

Passing the torch...

Monegasque Family Picnic

Yes, the Monegasque family picnic was held again at Antoinette park and TSH Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, HRH Princess Caroline and Baroness de Massy and daughter Melanie de Massy were all on hand. It was great to see them but most of all, especially after my melancholy mood from last week, Princess Charlene looked positively adorable in Monegasque national dress. I love this! Our lovely South African princess really showed she makes a fine Monegasque lady and is united with her people-by-marriage. My only quibble is that, unlike past years, the Sovereign Prince did not dress the part this year. Why not join your Princess consort and go "all Monegasque all the way"? Still, a big cheer and thumbs up to Princess Charlene on her fashion choice for this occasion. It was touching and the Princess looked magnificent. Great job!

Love Ball

 Recently there was a special celebration called the "Love Ball" at the Opera of Monte Carlo, appropriately attended by TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene. Ms. Natalia Vodianova (of the Naked Heart foundation) organized the event and HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover also attended as part of the proceeds from the evening will go to benefit her charity AMADE.

Jumping Competition in Monaco

Last week TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene visited the grounds of the 18th International Jumping Competition in Monte Carlo; a sport very popular with the Grimaldi family and one Casiraghi lady in particular.

Last Saturday evening the Sovereign Prince and Princess consort arrived to watch the jumping competition.

Monaco Grand Prix 2013

It's that time of year again, gentlemen start your engines...
The big winner this year was Nico Rosberg, a racer with dual Finno-German nationality, who has said he considers Monaco "home". Something tells me he would have been the local favorite with sentiments like that. As usual the Princely Family was out to watch the race, Princess Charlene congratulated the winner and then all had a fun and flashy night at the evening gala afterwards.

Ancestral History and a Pilgrimage

Recently, HSH Prince Albert II was in France visiting one of the former estates of the Grimaldi; the former Duchy of Valentinois (Duke of Valentinois still being one of the titles of the prince). In Chabeuil the Sovereign Prince visited the old Hotel des Princes and opened the Place "Marie-Pelline Grimaldi of Monaco, maid of Chabeuil". Marie-Pelline was the daughter of Prince Antoine I of Monaco and gained lasting fame thanks to the harpsichord piece written for her by Francois Couperin. Prince Albert II visited some other historic villages and landmarks in the area, met with local officials and even took the "Promenade des Princes de Monaco" in Buis-les-Baronnies as well as attending the medieval festival in Crest (bet that was fun). The Duchy of Valentinois was ceded to the House of Grimaldi a year after the Treaty of Peronne in 1641 between King Louis XIII of France and Prince Honore II of Monaco which ended the Spanish protectorate over Monaco and by which the Kingdom of France recognized and guaranteed the independence of the Principality. Although the title is still retained, the actual Duchy of Valentinois was lost to the Prince of Monaco during the French Revolution and the abolition of the Bourbon monarchy.

On Tuesday TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene visited the French island of Corsica on a pilgrimage to Bastia honoring St Devote, the patron saint of Monaco and the House of Grimaldi. St Devote is also patron saint of Corsica and Monegasque survival of a French-Corsican attack on the tiny country is attributed to the miraculous intervention of St Devote who is said to have appeared over the Monegasque battlements to reprimand the attackers, particularly the Corsicans who so revere her.

Princely Couple Current Events

The Princely couple are seen above at the formal opening of the Lycee Technique & Hotelier which had a formal inauguration indeed with Monsignor Barsi blessing the new establishment and the Sovereign Prince to perform the official ribbon-cutting after which he and Princess Charlene sat down to dinner at the included Cordon d'Or. The Prince also unveiled two plaques commemorating the occasion.

Next Their Serene Highnesses presided at the opening of the new foyer at the church of St Devote, the patron saint of Monaco and the House of Grimaldi.

Finally, HSH Princess Charlene is set to oversee Dior presenting his new collection called "Cruise" at the Stefano Casiraghi port in Fontvieille which will bring together numerous big-name celebrities from the world of fashion.

The Monte Carlo Masters

Last weekend Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene took in the final match of the Monte Carlo Masters, presided over, as usual, by princely cousin Baroness Elizabeth-Anne de Massy, president of the Monegasque Tennis Federation. The Princely couple watched as the eight year reign of Rafel Nadal of Spain came to an end with the victory of Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

The Princely couple and cousin congratulate the winners, the new tennis champions in Monaco.

Princely Couple at Papal Inauguration

The Princely couple at prayer. These are the best photos

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene give polite praise as Pope Francis passes

The Princely couple were seated next to another Albert II, the King and Queen of the Belgians. Queen Paola couldn't resist snapping a photo on her smart phone as the Pontiff went by.

Pope Francis greets the applause of the congregation

HSH Princess Charlene taking communion. King Albert II seems very interested but Queen Paola seems a little bored.