Princess Caroline - A Mom's Mom

On Friday HRH Princess Caroline made the traditional visit to the Princess Grace Hospital to honor all the new mothers and she was all smiles holding the little newborns and presenting flowers to the new moms of Monaco. It happens every year and every year I cannot help but note that this is just one of those special little traditions that binds the Grimaldis and the Monegasque together, making them all feel like one family, a rather exclusive club amongst the large population of Monaco. And, seeing Princess Caroline with the new babies calls to mind the times when she was the new mom herself...

Happy Mothers' Day!

Recent Grimaldi News

Nostalgia was in the air on the 27th in Brest where Prince Albert and Vice Admiral Jean-Pierre Labonne visited the French aircraft carrier "Joan of Arc" which put in to port for the last time. The warship, a training vessel in the French navy, holds a special significance for the Prince of Monaco as he served on the ship during his 'military hitch' from September 1981 to April 1982, carrying on the long Grimaldi family tradition of service in the armed forces. The ship was launched in 1964 and was the longest-serving vessel in the French fleet. In 1980 Prince Albert also served for 1 month on a ship in the US Navy.

On the same day HRH Princess Caroline was at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco to visit all of the new mothers and their babies on the occasion of Mother's Day in Monaco. This has become a nice new tradition. Last year it was Princess Stephanie who visited the new mommies.

Princess Grace, the Mother

The Cross of Laeken has an excellent and informative post on the subject of Grace Kelly on Motherhood. Princess Grace was a very hands-on mother, though, like their father, they were also looked after by an English nanny, the large-and-in-charge Maureen King from the English Midlands. Nevertheless, Princess Grace did most of the motherly duties herself as any other mother would. She did most of the cooking, even if it was something as simple as making sandwiches for the children and their friends at their farm in the country. It was in that setting that the Grimaldis achieved the most “normal” domestic life, away from the protocol of the Princely Palace.

Doubtlessly Grace was influenced by her own mother, a strict German-American woman who ran a very tight ship. She was also extremely religious and Princess Grace carried her faith with her throughout her life. At the palace she would often be seen going to the chapel where she would sit in prayer and contemplation for an hour or more at a time. Of all her children, Princess Stephanie was the most work and got the most attention. Princess Grace once said, when asked about how she disciplined her children, that Princess Caroline occasionally needed a spanking whereas Prince Albert was almost never in trouble but Princess Stephanie required different methods. Princess Grace said, “I could have beaten her like a gong without making her give way”.

Whether Princess Grace was a strict or lax parent has been endlessly debated. Prince Rainier could be both indulgent and overprotective of his daughters but he left most of their upbringing to Grace while he focused on preparing Albert for his future role as sovereign prince. Princess Caroline stated that her mother was attentive and quick to advise but not controlling. According to her, Princess Grace knew that she could do no more than that, allowing the children to make their own choices, learn from their mistakes and move on. She may not have approved of all of their actions but she was always supportive, always ready to comfort and always ready to help. Above all, no one could doubt that she loved her children more than anything in the world and their wellbeing was her top priority up to the very moment of her tragic death.

A Special Message

Princess Stephanie's 'Mom Moment'

HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco has been enjoying some off time lately. She's visited Croatia but it was her stay in New York that has caused more tongue-wagging. She took her children to Broadway to take in the famous show "Hair". However, when the infamous nude scene started Stephanie went into full "mommy mode" and rushed out with her hands over her little ones' eyes. This has caused a number of people to accuse the Monegasque princess of being prudish or hypocritical given her rather colorful personal history. I find that absurd. I doubt anyone who grows up in southern France could be prudish about nudity and no parent is perfect, all parents have done things in their youth they regret and most want their children to do better. Just as her parents tried to protect her (mostly to no avail) Princess Stephanie is doing the same for her own and has spoken before that since becoming a mom she had a new respect for what her own mother went through with her. I say kudos to Princess Stephanie for being protective of her children. I just wonder how much she knew about "Hair" going in?