Princely Letter Up for Auction

A letter is going up for auction by HSH Prince Honore II, the Lord of Monaco from 1604 to 1612 and Prince of Monaco after that time. The letter is addressed to the Marquis Genois Marcello Raimondi telling of the upcoming marriage of Honore's son Hercules to Donna Aurelia, daughter of Luca Spinola; a family which produced several doges of the Republic of Genoa. Prince Hercules died in an accident in 1651 making his son heir to the throne who succeeded his grandfather in 1662 and Prince Louis I of Monaco. Thanks to Harold in the land of Oz for emailing this bit of news concerning Monaco's Princely past.

Princess Stephanie and World AIDS Day

Yesterday was World AIDS Day, a cause very near to the heart of HSH Princess Stephanie, president and foundress of Fight AIDS Monaco. For the occasion she attended the annual auction to benefit her foundation in Monaco at the Sea Club Meridien. Princess Stephanie has given a great deal of herself to this organization and to wider cause of bringing help and comfort to those suffering with AIDS, a section of the populace all too often ignored or marginalized. Princess Stephanie is seen here with one of the items on the block; a portrait of her beloved mother HSH Princess Grace of Monaco.