The Not-So Latest

I knew it would happen of course. Take some time off and that's when all the news decides to happen. So, as most have probably already heard by now, last week HRH Princess Caroline became a grandmother. Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo welcomed their first child into the world last Thursday and Princess Caroline, Pierre and Charlotte were quick to join them in London at the elite Portland hospital. It's a boy! We send our congratulations to the proud couple of course, mother and son have been released from the hospital but are still in London, though no one is saying where of course. It is expected that their primary residence will be in Paris where Andrea and Tatiana first met. Some have remarked on how relatively low-key the birth has been compared to that of Caroline, Albert or Stephanie but, of course, that is to be expected. Those were offspring of the Sovereign Prince, not the grandson of the current second-in-line to the throne who may be displaced at any time should Albert II do his duty (hint, hint). If or when Princess Charlene produces an heir to the throne, I'm sure things will be much different with formal announcements, bells ringing and gun salutes at Ft Antoine (if anyone can still remember how they work). Word is that the new Grimaldi baby boy is named "Sacha" but so far that has not been confirmed. Once Andrea and Tatiana are married the new addition will take his place in the princely line of succession.

In other news of the romantic variety, Princess Stephanie's daughter Pauline Ducruet (who has certainly inherited the Grimaldi good-looks) has gone public with her boyfriend for the first time. The lucky young man is former footballer Paul-Noel Ettori and the two have been an item since 2011, first meeting when he was 21 and Pauline was 17. Both have moved to Paris where Pauline is pursuing a career in fashion and Paul-Noel is trying to get into the acting and/or modeling game. I'm sure neither of them will be short on opportunities. So, it seems that 'love is in the air' for the Grimaldi clan. Charlotte brought her (much older) beau to the Rose Ball this year for the first time, Pauline has gone public with her romance and Andrea is a new daddy.

In less romantic news, HSH Prince Albert II announced on Friday that the Principality of Monaco will be growing with a 6 hectare expansion into the sea near the Grimaldi Forum. The Prince has been studying the issue since 2008 (it is not the first time Monaco has reclaimed land from the sea) but earlier plans for a 12 hectare expansion had to be scrapped because of environmental and wildlife concerns as well as worries over the cost at the height of the economic crisis. Of course, with this new expansion, Prince Albert II can be counted on to take care that no little fishies are disturbed. "I will pay particular attention to ensure the project respects the strict environmental rules that I will impose, during the construction as well as during the use of the new surfaces created," the Sovereign Prince said. Monaco has long been bursting at the seams with the number of people who would like to relocate to a country with beautiful views, a good climate and no income tax and a lack of space has long been the country's biggest problem. Also, recently, the Sovereign Prince welcomed Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations to Monaco as part of the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Principality becoming a member of the UN.