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.

70th Grand Prix de Monaco

Mark Webber of the Commonwealth of Australia was the big winner this year and it was an "all star" event with a wide array of celebrities on hand, including Antonio Banderas, Will Smith, Vanessa Hudgens, Jennifer Lawrence and many others (George Lucas showed up at the gala -so that's one less evening he has to ruin the film industry). TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were, of course, present as were Andrea Casiraghi and Pierre Casiraghi who was happily joined by girlfriend Beatrice Borromeo who he is not able to see as often now as she is in the U.S. at Columbia studying journalism while he is in Monaco learning the Casiraghi family business. Everyone was looking good...

The Sovereign Prince congratulates the winner

Having a laugh in the Princely box

The Prince and Princess with HRH the Countess of Wessex

Their Serene Highnesses arrive at the gala

The Countess of Wessex and Princess Camilla of the Two-Sicilies

Gareth Wittstock (brother of Princess Charlene) with Roysin Galvin

And where was Charlotte? At Cannes with Gad, outshining the movie stars

Monaco Grand Prix 2011

The year has flown by and another Monaco Grand Prix has sped off in the distance last night. The 69th Formula One Grand Prix began on Thursday with HSH Prince Albert II and bride-to-be Charlene taking the first opening spin around the course. The racing festivities came to an end last night with Red Bull Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany taking the top prize and, along with the second and third place winners, earning a kiss on both cheeks from the future princess along with their trophies. Mr. Vettel was then the special guest of the Princely Family at the Formula 1 gala Sunday evening. HRH Princess Caroline was on hand, as were the Casiraghi trio, Tatiana and Beatrice in tow. Charming Charlotte turned heads in her patriotic red and white dress but moreso by the large rock on the third finger of her left hand -which has caused a renewal of some rumors such as we have heard so often in the past but, of course, no announcements.

Professional racing first came to Monaco in 1929 when HSH Prince Louis II was active in bringing a number of sports to the principality to add some diversity to the gaming-focused economy. More than eighty years later it is clear how far-sighted he was and Formula 1 is know one of the annual events for which Monaco is best known. In the past, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace would meet with the top drivers away from the track to get to know them better. With the country even more diversified now that is no longer practical but Prince Albert II recently stated that it would be hard to imagine Formula 1 without Monaco being involved with it. With the country taking on a more environmental and charitable focus, racing might one day seem out of place but the Sovereign Prince said he could imagine no changes for at least another decade or more, if then.

The narrow, winding streets of the microstate certainly make for a challenge for any driver (and no easy task for the cars to be sure) but the picturesque skyline and unmatched ocean views also make Monaco a place where drivers and audiences alike love to flock to for the event. Some might think that big events such as this would provide good practice for the upcoming wedding, but when it comes to the race, the Monegasque are old professionals and have refined to an art setting up and taking down everything need for the big race. The speed and professionalism of that feat is every bit as remarkable as the race itself. In any event, it is another year down, another success and we can look forward to next year. Congratulations to Monaco on a successful race and congratulations to Sebastian Vettel for his victory!

More on Grand Prix de Monaco

Charlotte Casiraghi tries to look fiercely gorgeous while Charlene Wittstock waves to the crowd.
Charlotte and Charlene - who will blink first?

Charlene Wittstock and Andrea Casiraghi

Charlotte hands out the second place trophy. Pierre gave out the 3rd place, Andrea the constructor's trophy and of course Prince Albert II presented the first place winner with his trophy.

Formula One in Monaco

Yesterday the 68th Formula 1 Grand Prix was held in Monaco following a football match and fashion show as part of the festivities. It was a family affair the day of the race with Prince Albert II, Andrea, Pierre and Charlotte Casiraghi taking part and honoring the winners. The Sovereign Prince was treated to an opening lap before the race with Gildo Pastor Pallanca, Chairman of Fetish Venturi. After finishing his trip around the course the Prince greeted the racers and they took their places for the start of the race.

Winners were given their awards by the Casiraghi trio, the luckiest winner being given his trophy by Charlotte. Sebastian Vettel of Germany came in second place but it was Mark Webber of Australia in the Red Bull car that won the day and was congratulated by the Sovereign Prince, along with the rest, with Andrea, Pierre and Charlotte alongside. Taking third place was Renault driver Robert Kubica of Poland. Princess Stephanie, who attended the charity football match her son played in, did not attend, which is not unusual, but many were disappointed by the absence of Princess Caroline for the second year in a row. Though, again, this should not come as a surprise given the rather full plate Caroline has had of late.

In the evening a gala dinner was held to celebrate the race with all of the glitz and glamour one expects from the Principality of Monaco. Prince Albert II naturally attended, alongside his girlfriend Charlene Wittstock. Andrea and Charlotte were absent (though Andrea's girlfriend Tatiana Santo Domingo did attend the fashion show earlier in the 4-day festivities) but Pierre Casiraghi and his stunning girlfriend Beatrice Borromeo were on hand for the event.

A little history; the first major race held in Monaco, the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, was held in 1929, organized by Anthony Noghes (future father-in-law of Princess Antoinette) and his Automobile Club of Monaco, supported by Prince Louis II who wanted to attract sporting events and a more diverse tourist industry to the principality.