MM Video: Modern Monaco

Speaking of the Italians

Today is a sad day for Italian monarchists as it was on this day in 1900 that King Umberto I "the Good" of Italy was assassinated by an anarchist. However, the House of Savoy is still going on and, rather fitting given their long shared history, are close friends with their Grimaldi neighbors. TRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto and Princess Clotilde of Venice (seen here at the recent Princely wedding) recently gave an interview to talk about the possibility of having a reality TV show in the United States and the subject of the media-induced scandal over the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Monaco came up. Prince Emanuele Filiberto is the grandson of the last King of Italy (King Umberto II) and his wife, Clotilde Courau, is a French actress quite famous in her own right. The two actually first met, in part at least, thanks to Prince Albert and the Sovereign Prince of Monaco was "Best Man" at Prince and Princess of Venice's wedding. So, suffice it to say, they are all pretty good friends and when asked about all the controversy surrounding the Monegasque marriage, the Prince of Venice said, well, you shouldn't believe everything you read. Knowing Prince Albert as he does he said he never had any doubt, seeing him and Charlene and listening to Albert talk about her that this was anything less than a genuine romance. Princess Clotilde also joined in to say that she had talked to Princess Stephanie about Charlene joining the family and she had nothing but kind words to say about her. Princess Clotilde also noted that this carried considerable weight with her since, as we all know, Princess Stephanie is a very authentic, honest, "what you see is what you get" sort of person and would not have said such things if she did not mean them. Now it only remains to be seen if Christophe Barbier will call for a French invasion of Italy in response to this...

End of a Bad Romance

It was on this day in 1880 that HSH Prince Charles III of Monaco, on his own authority as Sovereign Prince, legally dissolved the marriage of (then) Hereditary Prince Albert and Princess Mary Victoria. There were some high-powered match-makers behind the marriage but, alas, the two never seemed to really hit it off. The daughter of the Duke of Hamilton didn't really seem to like anything about her life after she said "I do". She didn't like her husband, didn't like her new country or her new family. After the birth of their son Louis, Princess Mary Victoria essentially ran away and it was years before she and her husband even exchanged letters. When they did it was because she had fallen in love with a Hungarian nobleman and asked Prince Albert to see about getting their marriage annulled. That took a great deal of time, money and arguing with the Vatican before it was all settled. However, on the civil side of things, Prince Charles III could settle things easily, as in Monaco he was the law, and so he did 131 years ago today. Prince Albert I later went on to marry the American-born Alice Heine who, if that marriage did not last either, was at least much more pleased with and popular in Monaco.

French to Invade Monaco!

Well, okay, not really, but that is what would happen if the Editor-in-Chief of L'Express has his way. Christophe Barbier, rather upset that his paper is being sued by the Prince of Monaco demanded that France annex the principality (which was last done in the Revolution when the country was occupied by republican troops and the palace plundered). Michel Roger, Monegasque Minister of State (effectively the PM) was not amused by the demand, calling it "surrealist". Elements in France have also objected to the "neo-colonialist" ranting of Barbier who really has no one to blame but himself for his paper sinking to the level of yellow journalism. As usual, Barbier has resorted to the usual republican talking points, saying that Monaco needs to join the "modern" world by being incorporated into France. Yes, just keep telling yourself that Mr. Republican, Monaco is so backward and out-of-date by still being ruled by a Prince even though they have lower taxes, greater per capita wealth, virtually no crime and absolutely no un-employment. Yes, those Monegasque sure are suffering compared to the prosperity of the French Fifth Republic. This is funny.

Can't you just see the headlines now?

France to Invade Monaco: At last a War They are Confident They can win!
French Forces Occupy Monaco: Will it be the Guillotine for the Grimaldis?
Paris - Monte Carlo Dispute to be Settled by Game of 21
Monaco Launches Preemptive Strike: Ten soldiers sent to reoccupy Menton & Roquebrune!
France to Annex Monaco: Casiraghi Trio man the canon at Ft Antoine
Prince Albert Invokes Protectorate Treaty: Demands French troops defend Monaco from the French!
France and Monaco at War: Princess Stephanie to lead army of elephants over the alps
Monaco Announces Counter-Annexation of France: Princess Charlene picking out drapes for Versailles
French Move Against Monaco: Charlotte Casiraghi dons bikini to distract enemy soldiers
France Seeks NATO Support Against Monaco: Upon learning that Princess Caroline was in town.
Attack on the Port of Marseilles: Monaco Swim Team believed to be responsible

It's just funny, I could go on and on...

Taking Them to Court

The threat was made and now it has been followed through on. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco are suing the French newspaper L'Express for invasion of privacy and publishing "incorrect facts" about the private life of the Princely couple. I say well done the Prince and Princess of Monaco. Someone should be made to answer for the dark cloud that was maliciously flung over the Princely wedding on what should have been a purely happy and celebratory occasion of the Grimaldi and Wittstock families and the Principality of Monaco. Of course, L'Express is not the only guilty party, not by a long shot, but they are the ones most other media outlets took their example from since, we were told over and over again, L'Express was a publication of great journalistic integrity. Well, not from where I'm sitting! This is, of course, not an effort to silence journalism, even of the rather trivial variety. I would not be in favor of that and I know the Princely Family wouldn't be either. However, what the Prince and Princess were hit with was not journalism, it was slanderous gossip wearing a journalistic mask.

A good journalist, for example, will report on an important story and give you some basic facts; exactly what happened, where it happened, when it happened and who it happened to. In most cases they will tell you where they got their information from so that others can verify that what they are reporting is true. In this case, however, all we got was third-hand rumors based on "anonymous sources" and then endless speculation. We were given gossip that was completely un-specific so that nothing that was reported could be verified. Freedom of the press is one of the most important liberties we in the western world have but that freedom should never be used as a cover to peddle gossip and ruin the lives of others simply to sell newspapers. Of course, L'Express will not be hurting too much, even if the Prince wins the case. The Palace has already said that they will be seeking only a nominal sum, the Prince does not need the money after all, because what is at issue here is not a monetary amount but a principle. Again, I say well done!

MM Video: The Family of Princess Stephanie

Historic Anniversary

It was on this day in 1946 that HSH Prince Louis II of Monaco married Ghislaine Marie Francoise Dommanget and, as regular readers will know, she was not exactly welcomed with open arms by the rest of the Grimaldi family besides the Sovereign Prince. However, Prince Louis II adored her and she brought him a great deal of happiness in his remaining years. She always kept up a dignified front and even after the death of her husband when she was a rather unwelcome Princess Dowager, she lived in Paris, rarely attending family functions but gaining the respect and admiration of more and more people by the way she carried herself, whatever the circumstances. She did get along well with Princess Grace, which is not surprising since, if nothing else, they had at least two things in common; they were both actresses and both had run afoul of Princess Antoinette upon entering the family.

MM Video: Andrea Casiraghi

The Media and Angry Albert!

Forgive the out-of-place photo, but it is the only one I have with our Albie wearing a frown. The Sovereign Prince, known throughout his life as possibly the nicest guy on the planet is fed up with the media 'tempest in a teapot' over all the ugly rumors they have publicized regarding his marriage. The Prince and Princess of Monaco just got back from their honeymoon (which was in Mozambique -a surprise destination even Princess Charlene was not aware of) and yet from their civil wedding day, religious wedding day, the IOC trip to South Africa and the honeymoon all anyone has been able to talk about are all the rumors put out about the Prince and Princess. Runaway bride, paternity tests, a "fake" marriage -we have heard them all, all of them from "anonymous sources", all of them impossible to verify, all of them denied by the Palace, the Prince, the Princess and the Wittstock family. Who could blame even the famously "nice guy" Prince of Monaco for finally saying enough is enough?

Upon returning to the palace on the rock, Albert II met with three French journalists to voice his disapproval of the treatment he and his new princess consort have been subjected to. To quote angry Albert:

We want to express our indignation at these rumors… It’s unbearable. What’s regrettable is that the media pick up these rumours without verifying the information…We are honestly feeling aggrieved by the current rumours. It is simply not acceptable anymore.


I find that unworthy on the part of your colleagues. I’ve always respected freedom of expression. But publishing false information is lamentable and subject to criminal penalties.

Such feelings are completely understandable and any who would be critical of the Prince on this occasion should ask themselves what they would do in his place. Given that, again, all of these ugly rumors that have been so carelessly splashed across the headlines of the world have had no named sources, no specific timeline to test against who we know to have been where and when and in short have presented no evidence to back them up and no specific information with which to verify the stories, I would certainly feel the same way as Prince Albert. You had your fun in trying to ruin a special day for two people, their families and the Principality of Monaco, at this point, it's time to put up or shut up. It should not be up to the Prince and Princess to disprove these rumors, it is the responsibility of those making the accusations to present the evidence to back them up. Otherwise this is simply slander and harassment.

Princess Stephanie on the Job, Alone

Big brother was out of town, on his honeymoon, but that didn't stop Princess Stephanie from carrying on with her duties to the charity she cares most about. She was all on her own this year but still at ease and all smiles as usual for the annual Fight AIDS Monaco summer gala on Wednesday. A concert and charity raffle were held to raise money for Fight AIDS Monaco, of which, as we know, Princess Stephanie is founder and President and the Life House which the Princess built to care for HIV/AIDS victims. The special entertainment was the British rock band "Supertramp" (formerly known as "Daddy" back in the day). Am I the only one that found that slightly humorous? Maybe it was part of a subtle theme: remember kids, if you act like a tramp, even a super tramp, you might end up with AIDS! Of course, it is truly commendable how Princess Stephanie has devoted herself to this charitable service and is one of the benefits of having a royal (or Princely) family that is often so common as to be taken for granted. The Princess does a great deal of good for a great many people -and she is certainly not alone in that amongst the royals of the world.

Happy Birthday Alexandra!

It was on this day in 1999 that HRH Princess Alexandra of Hanover was born to Prince Ernst August of Hanover and Princess Caroline of Monaco in Vöcklabruck, Upper Austria. Amongst her ancestors are King George III and Queen Victoria of Great Britain, King Christian IX of Denmark and German Kaiser Wilhelm II. She has been adored from day one and already in her life so far she has been a very impressive princess. She is currently in school in Monaco, living with her mother. Mad for Monaco wishes Princess Alexandra a very happy 12th birthday with many, many more to come!

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