Send in the Clowns

It's that time again -the Circus is in town! TSH Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and Princess Stephanie (with Pauline and Camille in tow) attended the opening last night of the 36th annual Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, a tradition started in 1974 by HSH Prince Rainier III who was a life-long fan of the circus. He passed this love to his youngest daughter and Princess Stephanie, as we all know, serves as President of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.

There were lots of smiles all around, Pauline and Camille are really growing up fast (how many times have I said that) and very well I might add. Again this year Princess Stephanie will present the Clown d'Or Award, the most prestigious honor in the circus world. The fastival features the best in Circus acts and performances from professionals around the world -think of it as the Olympics for the Circus (maybe that will help the Prince & Princess relate) and of course is always a lot of fun. The circus may not have the huge popular following that it once did but it is still "the greatest show on earth" and something everyone should see at least once. There is a ton of great talent on display, human and animal, and it's just good, old fashioned family fun. Good on Monaco and kudos to Princess Stephanie in particular for keeping this tradition alive.

Princess Stephanie's Russian Visit

It seems that Russia has been *the* place to be in September. Earlier this month HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco, along with daughters Pauline and Camille, were in Moscow for the award ceremony of the “Contest of the Circus Arts” at the Tenth International Youth Festival. Of course, when it comes to the circus world there is no bigger celebrity than our Princess Stephanie. Everyone was all smiles and Pauline pitched in with handing out the trophies. It is nice to see Princess Stephanie and her brood once in a while and they seem so much more ‘grown up’ every time we do.

Happy Birthday Camille!

It was on this day in 1998 that Camille Marie Kelly Gottlieb was born to HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monte Carlo. She officially enters her teenage years today as she turns 13-years-old. Princess Stephanie said long ago that she wanted her children kept out of the public glare and to have as normal and private a life as possible and she seems to have done an excellent job at that. Daniel, Pauline and Camille may not be part of the fashion show & charity gala jet-set like their Casiraghi cousins but they have also been spared the constant media scrutiny of the Casiraghi Trio and seem like quite a happy and well adjusted little family. Camille did make a very nice appearance at the recent wedding of her uncle Albert and in the picture shown I see more than a trace of her mother and grandfather Rainier in her face. A lovely girl and we wish her a very happy birthday with many, many more to come. I think Princess Stephanie has been a very good mother and seeing Camille at 13 is living proof of that. A fine girl. Congratulations and happy birthday!

MM Video: Stephanie's Family

Happy Birthday Camille!

Today Camille (sometimes Gottlieb, sometimes Grimaldi), second daughter of HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco, celebrates her 12th birthday. I have noticed I do not seem to see as much of her as I do her older (half) siblings Daniel and Pauline, but Princess Stephanie has done a pretty good job of keeping her children out of the spotlight and the 'jet-set' lifestyle and maybe she is not quite considered old enough to be fair game for the photographers. In any event, she seems to be growing up nicely and Mad for Monaco wishes Camille a very, very happy birthday with many more to come!