Pauline, Growing Up Fast

While Prince Albert II was addressing the United Nations General Assembly and Princess Charlene was hanging out with Michelle Obama, Pauline Ducruet was taking in Paris Fashion Week which, being a fashion student, was perfectly appropriate for her. Pauline is currently in her second year of study at the Instituto Marangoni in Paris and she managed to take at least some of the attention off the models on the runway. Already 19-years old, as impossible to believe as that seems, Pauline seems more gorgeous each time she is seen. Of course, with Princess Stephanie's genes in her, that is hardly surprising. We wish her all the best in her studies as a future fashionista.

Prince Albert in Wyoming

Last Thursday, September 19, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was in Cody, Wyoming, to celebrate the centenary of the visit of his great-great grandfather Prince Albert I. His predecessor on the Monegasque throne had visited the area in his time, guided by "Buffalo Bill" Cody himself (as you read about here last year when this visit was first announced).  Today's Sovereign Prince presented the first prize to two American scientists, Arthur Middleton and Joe Riis in recognition of their work. The award was named the 'Camp Monaco Prize' in honor of the previous expedition of Prince Albert I in which their hunting camp was named "Camp Monaco". As you can see in the photo above, that name was carved on a nearby tree and that portion of the tree has been preserved in honor of the occasion when a Prince of Monaco first came to the wild west state of Wyoming in 1913.

Monegasque Family Picnic

Yes, the Monegasque family picnic was held again at Antoinette park and TSH Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, HRH Princess Caroline and Baroness de Massy and daughter Melanie de Massy were all on hand. It was great to see them but most of all, especially after my melancholy mood from last week, Princess Charlene looked positively adorable in Monegasque national dress. I love this! Our lovely South African princess really showed she makes a fine Monegasque lady and is united with her people-by-marriage. My only quibble is that, unlike past years, the Sovereign Prince did not dress the part this year. Why not join your Princess consort and go "all Monegasque all the way"? Still, a big cheer and thumbs up to Princess Charlene on her fashion choice for this occasion. It was touching and the Princess looked magnificent. Great job!

A Less Glamorous Monaco?

Has Monaco become a somewhat less glamorous place than it used to be. Does it seem like there is a little of that old sparkle missing these days. Here are my thoughts on Glamorous Monaco, feel free to tell me yours.

Andrea is Married

Saturday (as in yesterday), a little before noon, Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo were married in a civil ceremony near the water in Monaco, witnessed by about 400 special guests (no cameras please) followed by a reception in the gardens of the Princely Palace. A religious wedding is also planned but will be several months from now in the bride's native Switzerland. So, congratulations to the happy couple and to their little son Sasha who, being legitimized by this union, officially takes his place in the line of succession to the Monegasque throne. My only problem with that is that there still has not even been an official birth announcement from the palace. Now, I realize, we were warned ahead of time that this wedding would be a very low-key, private affair but, really, there wasn't even a wave from the balcony by the happy couple. I also remain at a loss as to why Andrea has no official title. Look at it this way; think about all of the (valid and deserved) fuss and fanfare over the birth of little Prince George of Cambridge. Now, consider for a moment that, until Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene do their duty, little Sasha is just as close in the line of succession to a throne, one of the oldest in the world at this point, as baby Prince George is. And yet, very little coverage of the birth, not much for more the wedding of his parents and both father and son remain, legally, commoners. That just doesn't seem right. Anyway, perhaps it will be remedied in the future, perhaps they know something we do not. Not to sound impatient or anything but, of course, this whole picture changes if the Sovereign Prince and his Princess consort give us an heir to the throne...