Birthday of Prince Rainier

It was on this day in 1923 that HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco was born. In the picture above little Rainier is being held by his father Prince Pierre de Polignac, next to his mother Princess Charlotte while big sister Princess Antoinette is held by proud grandpapa Prince Louis II. Were he with us today Prince Rainier would be 88 years old. Not many of his generation are left but the Monegasque are justly proud of the very long history of their monarchy, how they have endured and survived as a sovereign state over the centuries and I'm sure Rainier III would be looking down with pride on the upcoming marriage of his son, hopeful that the Grimaldi-Polignac line will continue into the future. Rainier III was not able to have a very close relationship with his own father (though he tried to make up for lost time as best he could after coming to the throne) and he was determined that his children would not have to endure the troubles that he and his sister did and in that Rainier III was certainly successful. May he rest in peace, one of the greatest sovereigns Monaco has ever had.

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!

The Blue Drawing Room

The Louis XV Drawing Room or, as it is probably better known today, the Blue Stateroom is so named because of the blue brocade and gold color theme and the portraiture associated with King Louis XV of France. There is a representative painting of King Louis XV done by Francois Stiémart which is a copy of one by Jean-Baptiste Vanloo which hangs at the palace of Versailles in France. There is also another painting copied by Stiémart of Marie Leczinska (then Queen consort to Louis XV) and both of these were given to HSH Prince Antoine I by His Most Christian Majesty King Louis XV. There are also portraits of Prince Honore III and his sister Princess Charlotte done when they were children and a portrait of Prince Antoine I by Dominique-Joseph Bressan. There is another famous painting, called the Bourgignon, which is a battle scene painted by Jacques Courtois. Also, still in the military theme, is a painting called the Triumph of Galateus which is believed to have been painted by Annibale Carracci of Bologne. Not forgetting the family, there is also a painting of Princess Caroline done in 1878 by Marie Veroust and two smaller paintings representing spring and autumn.

The Blue Stateroom is between the Officer’s Hall and the Throne Room. Venetian chandeliers of Murano glass decorate the room which is used for official receptions.

The Prince and the Queen

HSH Prince Albert II was recently in England, where he met with HM Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of the Chelsea Flower Show at Chelsea Hospital which attracted over 160,000 visitors. Sarah Eberle was responsible for the "Garden of Monaco" which was featured this year and which, of course, drew the presence of the Sovereign Prince. Some three years of preparation went into this special event and the Prince was beaming with pride as he and the Queen inspected the showing. Prince Albert has always had a love for gardens and growing things, explaining that he inherited his 'green thumb' from his mother Princess Grace who was, as we know, famous for her love of roses in particular. She also wrote a book on the subject of her famous flowers. This was the first time Monaco participated in the Chelsea Flower Show and it was, by all accounts, a resounding success.

Also, with the days being counted down to the big wedding day, the Princely Palace has announced that, as expected, Alain Ducasse will be in charge of putting on the official wedding dinner. The following picture was posted at the palace website.

Favorite Princely Images

The Grimaldi family: (left to right) Princess Charlotte, Prince Rainier, Princess Antoinette, Prince Pierre and Sovereign Prince Louis II.

Albert & Charlene German TV Interview

Some highlights for those who don't sprechen die deutsch so well, they'd prefer a small wedding but prefer to include the people, Charlene admires Caroline and Stephanie and she can't wait to have a family. Yes! The Grimaldi-Polignac line might just go on. Somewhere up above Prince Pierre has his fingers crossed...

Cinema Against AIDS Gala

The always lovely Charlotte Casiraghi joined her uncle Albert and soon-to-be aunt Charlene at amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS gala on Thursday during the Cannes Film Festival, where the Casiraghi trio are familiar faces. Prince Albert is a veteran of the charity gala but this was a first-time appearance for Charlotte there and she was quite a hit. Prince Albert and Charlene also took home the prize for earning the most money at the auction. What was so valuable that the couple (looking quite glamorous themselves) put up for sale? Two tennis lessons and two swimming lessons. We know Prince Albert loves a game of tennis and we know Charlene is quite the swimmer -will they be taking matters into their own hands? That would certainly make for a memorable event to be sure.

Chinese movie star Zhang Ziyi and an amused Charlotte Casiraghi on center stage

MM Video: Fun with Prince Albert

All in good fun, remembering what the Friars Club says, "We only roast the ones we love".

The Magician of Monte Carlo

Gambling in Monaco was first allowed by HSH Prince Florestan I, two months before his death, who signed the law legalizing it in April of 1856. However, once legal, it did not actually come about until December 14, 1856 when the first gaming facilities were opened at the Palais de la Condamine, over a century before what most regard as the start of the gaming industry in the principality. That is understandable as it did not become a major focus until the reign of HSH Prince Charles III who, on December 3, 1860, instituted the constitution of the Societe des Bains de Mer (which still owns the opera, casino and Hotel de Paris to this day). It would take still more time, and further development of road and rail links to France and Italy for the business to start booming. In time, it did so and the Casino of Monaco was inaugurated on February 18, 1863 with a great deal of publicity and international attention. What really made the gaming industry take off though was largely through the effort of Monsieur Francois Blanc.

It was Francois Blanc who purchased control of the SBM for the (then) enormous sum of 2,290,000 francs. An ingenious businessman and wizard of finance, economics and (significantly) promotion, it was Francois Blanc to whom a great deal of the credit is owed for making Monaco, and the soon to be created district of Monte Carlo particularly, the most famous and fashionable gaming center in the world. Francois Blanc was a native of Provence, born with his twin brother Louis on December 12, 1806. Growing up in a small, quiet town, the two boys dreamed of fame and fortune and were impressed when a circus came to down, particularly the games of chance which were so obviously lucrative. They followed the circus throughout the south of France, taking numerous jobs and learning all of the tricks of the trade. Eventually they went into the gambling business in Marseilles and became quite successful. Both realized they had found a way to make their boyhood dreams a reality.

Eventually Francois and Louis amassed enough of a fortune to branch out. In Bordeaux they speculated on government pensions and got into real estate development. Using inventive strategies (some of which would later be outlawed) their already considerable fortune grew rapidly. This attracted attention and they were arrested and brought to trial on accusations of fraud. However, there were no laws against what they had been doing (no one had been creative enough to come up with such a system before) and so, in the end, they were fined for bribing government officials and released, still far ahead of the game. After that bit of unpleasantness they left Bordeaux for Paris. There, they came up with new games of chance to get around existing anti-gambling laws and opened up a number of establishments before King Louis Philippe passed new laws that put them out of business.

Never ones to give up, the brothers moved to Luxembourg and opened a very profitable gaming business there. That was only a stepping stone to their biggest success yet in the Principality of Hesse-Homburg near Frankfurt. Homburg was suffering under a mountain of debt and the local monarch signed a very beneficial contract with Francois and Louis Blanc to develop the tourism industry. This they did with phenomenal success. Homburg quickly became the ‘hot spot’ of Europe with gambling houses, lavish hotels, theatres, spas, gardens and cultural attractions that caused the rich and famous across the continent to flock there. Soon, Francois Blanc was given the nickname, ‘the Wizard of Homburg’. Eventually, once the debts were gone and the prosperity seemed permanent, the government in Frankfurt turned against gambling and Francois Blanc was once again out of business but, as always, not out of ideas.

Homburg had been able to attract visitors only in the summer months. During the winter the elites all retreated to the mild climate of the Riviera and that gave Blanc the idea that, in such a location, he could attract tourists all year round. He also read that, seeing the rags-to-riches story of Homburg, the Prince of Monaco had recently legalized gambling in his tiny principality. Francois Blanc went to Monaco, bet his fortune on gaining control of the SBM and, as they say, the rest is history. He invested heavily in the country, helped establish the new roads and rail lines that would make it accessible to the population centers of Europe and he promoted the area as the new fashionable spot for fun, relaxation and games of chance. Prince Charles III gave him considerable freedom and, again, he invested heavily in the country but it all paid him back handsomely.

The “Wizard of Homburg” had become the “Wizard of Monte Carlo” and the recurring money problems the principality had endured throughout her history would largely become a thing of the past after the arrival of Francois Blanc. He died in Switzerland in 1877 leaving behind a fortune of 72 million francs which, today, would be roughly equivalent to over 450 million euros.

Video: Stephanie de Monaco Ouragan Live

Princess Stephanie in her heyday, performing one of her biggest hits. This is pure 80's "cool" (or maybe I should say "totally cool!") but I always love watching singers, who don't play an instrument, trying to do something with their hands.

The Big Day Approaches

The countdown to the Princely wedding has begun and excitement in Monaco is building. The official program has been released, with some subsequent changes announced and some additional information, mostly for those expected to be covering the wedding. Just exactly what sort and how much coverage remains to be seen, it certainly cannot be expected to be like that seen in London where the sheer number of reporters for that event would alone fill the tiny Principality of Monaco to capacity. In any event, we are now getting more details and more of an idea of what the wedding will be like. Recently an “insider” said that it would have a more laid back, American style to it and that seems to be the case with the pre-wedding party. The Sovereign Prince has invited his Monegasque subjects to the Prince Louis II Stadium for a special concert by “The Eagles”, so we are certainly seeing some American influence there.

Most things will have a decidedly European style to them of course, such as the choice of those who will escort Charlene and then the Princely couple to and from their taking of vows. It was announced that, rather than choosing friends or family, a group of Monegasque children (six girls and two boys), chosen from throughout the principality and surrounding towns, will have the honor of escorting the couple on their big day. Some have been a little critical of this, but I think it sounds like a great idea, it should look cute as can be, and is a good way of including everyone in the celebration. Prince Albert II has often said (like his father before him) that the Monegasque population is like one extended family, and he knows many if not most of them by name. The Prince said this wedding celebration would be as much for his people as anyone else and this seems a very touching way of showing that.

Another difference with the recent wedding in Britain will be the mode of transportation for the couple. In keeping with the passion for environmentalism on the part of the Sovereign Prince, after the wedding mass the couple will take a tour of the principality in a Lexus hybrid. The Palace has also authorized a selection of souvenirs for the occasion, many made by Revol, and include items such as cups, dinner plates, fans and a keychain featuring their monogram, a princely crown and a heart. More items will come on sale later with the full line available in June. This will be, I think, in every way, a very people-friendly royal event, whether it is the special reception for the Monegasque natives, the after-party or the light show and fireworks at Port Hercules to finish it all up, everything seems to be being done to include the people and make this an occasion for all the Prince’s subjects to come together with the Princely Family to celebrate. Can’t wait!

Grimaldi Weddings

As we gear up for the 'big day' here is a look back at past Grimaldi weddings:

 Princess Grace went the traditional route, setting a standard for style that is still emulated today.

For her (unfortunate) wedding to Philippe Junot, Princess Caroline followed in her mother's footsteps, going for something very "princess-like". Princess Caroline looked like she stepped out of the pages of a fairytale. The Princely parents put on a brave front but (correctly) did not expect the marriage to last.

Finally, Princess Stephanie looked typically stunning at her much more low-key wedding to Daniel Ducruet. She did not go the way of tradition, choosing something much shorter and low-cut for her wedding dress but few could argue that it was much more "her". Princess Stephanie in something traditional and conservative would probably have looked like someone playing dress-up. For her, under the circumstances, non-traditional seemed just the right choice.

Favorite Princely Images: Cutie Steph

Rainier Takes the Throne

It was on this day in 1949, with the passing of HSH Prince Louis II, that His Serene Highness Rainier III became Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Happy Mothers' Day!

Sovereign Prince in South America

HSH Prince Albert II arrived on Tuesday in São Paulo, Brazil for an official three-day visit to meet with Brazilian officials, discuss Brazilian-Monegasque relations and to open the photo exhibit "The Grace Kelly Years, Princess of Monaco" at the Museu de Arte Brasileria. The exhibit was put together in 2007 by the Grimaldi Forum to showcase 900 items relating to the Hollywood icon and Princess consort of Monaco including photos, video footage, clothes, jewelry, accessories, paintings, and letters to and from Princess Grace and such individuals as HM Queen Elizabeth II, First Lady Jackie Kennedy and Hollywood legends like Greta Garbo, Alfred Hitchcock and Frank Sinatra. There are also items from Grace's childhood in the Kelly family of Philadelphia, items relating to her acting career, her charities and her marriage to HSH Prince Rainier III. The exhibit will run until July 11 and is open to the public (no charge for admission).

While in town the Sovereign Prince also met with the São Paulo Football Club at their training center, showing off some of his own soccer skills to the team and Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopez, director of the São Paulo Football Club, and coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani. On Wednesday the Prince met with Geraldo Alckmin, Governor of São Paulo.

Charlotte the Magazine Queen

Global Champions Tour, leading equestrian brand and elite international show jumping organisation, will unveil its stunning new magazine GCT Life at its hotly anticipated Valencia leg this week (6-8 May).

The upscale publication, which is the brainchild of Monaco’s Charlotte Casiraghi and the Tour’s founder, former Olympic gold medallist Jan Tops, is a stylish window on the world of top-level equestrian sport and the sophisticated lifestyle that surrounds it.

GCT Life, created by a renowned team of writers, designers and contributors, showcases the luxury, glamour and excellence synonymous with the Formula 1 of the equestrian world.

Jan Tops said: “I am proud and delighted that this vision is now a reality. It is a statement of our intent, and a tribute to how far the Tour has come, that a publication of GCT Life’s elegance and distinct quality is now up and running.

“I am grateful to Charlotte Casiraghi, the Editor of this first edition, for guiding the project from start to finish and putting together such a talented team with world famous contributors.”

GCT Life features exclusive interviews with celebrities who are passionate about horses, such as Stella McCartney, and high profile figures at the heart of the most prestigious and richest show jumping tour on the international calendar, including Edwina Alexander and Jan Tops himself.

From Gucci to Hermès, GCT Life celebrates the classic equestrian heritage that has inspired and influenced some of the world’s leading fashion houses.

The stunning destinations of the 2011 Global Champions Tour are spotlighted, along with unique insider guides to the amazing locations for this year’s circuit.

The magazine offers a glimpse into the Tour’s chic social scene and previews all the news and sporting drama ahead.

Furthermore, GCT Life pays homage to the magnificence of the horse. Charlotte Casiraghi, Editor of GCT Life and a regular competitor on the Global Champions Tour, said: “Equestrian sport’s popularity is on the rise again, which is owed in no small part to the excitement generated by the Global Champions Tour.

“Horse riding has always been synonymous with high fashion, glamour and a desirable lifestyle. The magazine aims to provide both those that are passionate as well as those that are curious about equestrian life with a thrilling, in-depth experience of what it’s all about.

“I want to thank Jan Tops for this unique opportunity and to pay tribute to my team of illustrious contributors.”

Editors Note: The GCT Life team:

Editor - Charlotte Casiraghi

Deputy Editor - Oonagh Blackman

Art Director and Designer- Matilda Saxow Creative Direction - Meri Media Illustrations City Guide – Ricardo Fumanal Illustrations News – James Graham Contributors – Oliver Lloyd, Luke Leitch, Annie Lever, Stefano Grasso, Katrina Bignasca, Muftie Aplin.

The Global Champions Tour is in its sixth season and is firmly established at the forefront of world show jumping.

The 2011 Global Champions Tour has 10 events in nine countries with total prize money of around € 7 million - with € 1 million divided among the 18 highest ranked GCT riders at the conclusion of the series.

Each of the 10 events will be broadcast by Eurosport across 59 countries and live streaming of the show jumping action can be viewed from the dedicated website www.globalchampionstour.com.

Spectacular venues and breathtaking locations around the world play host to each leg of the Global Champions Tour, creating a fabulous atmosphere for thrilling, top-level show jumping.

Global Champions Tour 2011 Events

Doha, Qatar March 17-19 Valencia, Spain May 6-8 Hamburg, Germany June 1-5 Cannes, France June 9-11 Monte Carlo, Monaco June 23-25 Estoril, Portugal July 1-2 Chantilly, France July 22-24 Valkenswaard, The Netherlands August 12-14 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil September 2-4 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 10-12

From the Global Champions Tour website

Happy Birthday Pauline!

Today Pauline Ducruet, daughter of HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco, celebrated her 17th birthday. They are all growing up so fast aren't they? Mad for Monaco wishes Pauline a very happy birthday with many more to come!

The Houses Savoy and Grimaldi

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the unification of the Kingdom of Italy under the royal house of Savoy. It is no wonder, both being powerful names in southern France and northern Italy, that there is a very long, sometimes friendly and sometimes troubled history between the Savoy and Grimaldi families. Rainier I had dealt with the House of Savoy in border disputes between Piedmont and Monaco. Lord Lucien of Monaco was the first to officially ally himself with the Duke of Savoy (seeking the help of the King of France at the same time) during one of the most serious efforts of the Republic of Genoa to conquer Monaco. However, the friendship turned sour when the Duke sent troops to occupy La Turbie which Lucien took as much as a threat as a guardian. The Lady Claudine was so upset over the experience that she set it down in her will that any Grimaldi who did homage to the Savoy should be deprived of their hereditary rights. A little harsh perhaps? However, the two families could not ignore each other forever, though they made a good effort to do so for quite a while.

Relations, did, of course, warm up over the years. As we have mentioned, Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy (later King of Sardinia) was quite infatuated with the Grimaldi Princess Louise-Hippolyte though she did not feel quite the same about him. It was also Victor Amadeus II who obtained Nice from France and tried to obtain Monaco but was not successful there. He did, however, obtain feudal rights over 11/12 of Menton and Roquebrune which Prince Antoine I contested but an arbitration by Britain and France found in favor of the House of Savoy in 1714. The ceremony of homage to the Duke of Savoy (by then also King of Sardinia and Sicily) from 1716 to 1841. The idea that a sovereign principality would be a protectorate of one kingdom and a vassal of another kingdom in at least one portion of its territory might give someone a better understanding of why the Monegasque have always been so protective of their independence. It was something they had to fight hard to obtain and have constantly struggled to keep amidst the changing designs of the great powers of Europe surrounding them. Monaco under the Grimaldis were trying to hold fast but the for the House of Savoy, their star was clearly on the rise.

King Vittorio Emanuele I came to the throne of Sardinia-Piedmont in 1802. Obviously this was during the French Revolutionary period and the territories of the Savoy had suffered like all the other neighbors of the French Republic. However, things would turn around under the firm rule of Vittorio Emanuele I. The Congress of Vienna set him back on his throne in Turin (he had by then also inherited the legitimist -Jacobite- claim to the thrones of England, Scotland, Ireland and France) and his family holdings were enlarged by the Congress to include the former territories of the Republic of Genoa. Meanwhile, the Grimaldis had been restored to Monaco mostly thanks to Prince Tallyrand, otherwise the Allies might have found it easier to give Monaco to the Savoys altogether while they were at it, just to keep things simple. However, Tallyrand intervened and ensured Monaco remained under Grimaldi rule.

However, what the Allies did do, was to tear up the treaty with France first signed by Prince Honore II. Henceforth, Monaco would be a protectorate of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia under the House of Savoy. Prince Honore IV predicted there would be trouble over this given the long rivalry that had existed between the two houses. The public was not happy about the change, having been used to the relationship with France, but King Vittorio Emanuele I tried to make a good impression. However, relations only worsened when Sardinian troops occupied Monegasque territory and people were really outraged when Turin forbid the fabrication, trade or import of tobacco in the principality as this had been a lucrative local business. As tensions increased over the years and trouble began brewing in Menton and Roquebrune in particular the Monegasque blamed the Savoy government for being behind it as this was when the drive toward Italian unification was starting to get underway.

That drive got underway during the reign of King Vittorio Emanuele II, son of King Carlo Alberto, who did finally succeed in bringing together the Italian nation, creating the united country of Italy as we know it today and he became the first King of Italy. During this ambitious enterprise the King needed the support of Emperor Napoleon III of the French. Piedmont-Sardinia, in the wake of the uprisings in Menton and Roquebrune, had claimed those areas but in working out their relationship with France surrendered control of these areas (along with their own ancestral homeland) and Prince Charles III of Monaco agreed to sell these towns to France. So ended the period when Monaco was a protectorate of the House of Savoy but there were still some in Italy who longed for the territory as well as Nice and Savoy to be included in greater Italy. It is also worth remembering that, at this stage, the Monegasque, although unique, considered themselves rather more Italian than French due to their long history going back to Genoa and the Ligurian region. In World War II, following the Italian declaration of war on France and the occupation of Savoy, Nice, Corsica and Tunisia, Monaco was occupied as well and for the last time was within the Savoy sphere of influence.

It was not long, however, before the fortunes of war shifted. Monaco's brief stint as part of Mussolini's 'new Roman Empire' did not last very long. In 1943 King Vittorio Emanuele III dismissed the dictator and withdrew to the Allied camp, later abdicating in favor of his son King Umberto II. Monaco was liberated and Prince Louis II could breath a little easier. Things were not so happy for the House of Savoy. In 1946 a fraudulent referendum brought down the Italian monarchy and the House of Savoy was forced into exile. Despite sometimes have trouble in their long history together, the two houses remained friendly in spite of everything and when King Umberto II, the last reigning member of the Savoy royal house and last King of Italy, died in exile, Prince Rainier III attended his funeral to pay his respects to the man who represented the end of an era.

Crown Jewels of Monaco

As most will know, there is no crown in the Grimaldi family. Although long featured as a symbol of princely authority on flags and arms and such, there is no actual crown and there is no coronation. However, the recent female members of the Grimaldi family have had a number of feminine tiaras to choose from when the occasion warrants it. Princess Grace owned at least three tiaras, and these have occasionally been worn by Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie in their turn, but the most famous pieces have been in the family a bit longer and these were regularly worn, by Princess Caroline particularly, before her marriage to the Prince of Hanover.

HRH Princess Caroline is seen here wearing the pearl and diamond tiara which was made by Cartier Paris for HSH Princess Charlotte of Monaco, Caroline’s grandmother. It displays pearls set in platinum and white gold.

In this picture (as well as the above but with a better view), in addition to the pearl and diamond tiara, Princess Caroline is wearing the diamond fringe tiara as a necklace. This piece was also given to Princess Caroline by her grandmother Princess Charlotte of Monaco. It was based on a popular Russian design featuring circular cut diamonds set in a gold and silver frame. To complete the full Monegasque princess picture she is also wearing her sash and star of the Order of St Charles.

Here Princess Caroline is wearing (solo this time) the Cartier tiara, first owned by her grandmother Princess Charlotte, which was given to her as a wedding present by her husband Prince Pierre, Count of Polignac. It features scrolling diamond arches and swinging pearl drops. These two tiaras are probably the most associated with Monaco and have been in the Grimaldi family the longest.