Yachting Prince Albert II

On Friday, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the Monaco Yacht Show, taking in a fleet of hundreds of luxury craft morred in Monte Carlo at what is undoubtedly the most prestigeous boat show in the world. Of course, being Albert, he also took the time to highlight a new and environmentally friendly luxury yacht.

Here the Sovereign Prince inspects a model of the very yacht he is visiting, the "Planet Solar Turanor" which is the largest ship in the world powered completely by solar-produced electricity (observe the solar panels in the foreground).

Prince Albert II waves to the crowd after giving out awards on the "Planet Solar Turanor" yacht, the world largest ship working on solar power, next to visitors and participants of the International Monaco Yacht Show at Port Hercules, in the principalty of Monaco. A selection of 100 exceptional super and mega-yachts from 25 to over 90 m long were presented. The show ended yesterday.

Caroline Joins Albert at Yacht Club

After some 'alone time' on the Pacha III, Princess Caroline was back, looking good as ever, a day or two ago at the Exhibition of Doez Green and Toxic at the Monaco Yacht Club. Her son Pierre Casiraghi was also spotted at the event. Princess Caroline was greatly missed at the festivities surrounding the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival but she was in seemingly very good spirits for the exhibition. Her time off seems to have done her good and, in spite of all she's been through lately, it is very nice to have her home again and every appearance she has made since reminds again of how well she has played her part as the "first lady" in the Principality of Monaco. Probably my favorite appearance was when she took little Princess Alexandra along to the picnic and garden party thrown by the mayor of Monacoville -it's always nice to see mother and daughter together on such occasions and it's always nice to see the close connection between the Grimaldis and the native Monegasques, keeping the traditions alive. I hope the Sovereign Prince didn't take it too hard that all the attention this time was on his previously absent big sister, but it's good to see Caroline out and about again.

Monaco's Busy Monarch

HSH Prince Albert II has had an eventful last few days. On the 23rd he addressed the General Assembly of the UN, his remarks focusing on environmental concerns and the commitment of Monaco to the reform of the global financial system, the creation of a new “green economy” and humanitarian causes around the world, particularly those concerning women and children. He also pledged 0.7% of the GDP of his Principality to development in these areas. Which lends weight to his words considering that the Monegasque pay virtually no taxes and the national income is largely his own income. It is not quite the same as other world leaders promising money they have taxed from their people whether they like it or not. The Sovereign Prince went to his speech in a good mood as just prior to his remarks the Monegasque delegation was informed that Monaco was taken off the “gray list” of tax havens by the OECD just ahead of the Pittsburgh summit. However, the Sovereign Prince did not hand around long, jetting back to Monaco in time to open the 19th Monaco Yacht Show the very next day. The Monaco Yacht Show is famous across the Riviera as THE ultimate display of super-large luxury yachts. So, His Serene Highness has been busy as a bee, working hard for Monaco and the world. But think about the carbon footprint for all those trans-Atlantic flights!

Yachts and History in Monaco

HSH Prince Albert II was on hand yesterday for the last day of The Monaco Classic Week, held by the Monaco Yacht Show, celebrating 25 years of the Prince's presidency of the Monaco Yacht Club and the 100th birthday of the yacht "Tuiga". The racing yacht was built in 1909 for the Duke of Medinacelli, a friend of His Catholic Majesty King Alfonso XIII of Spain. The yacht was restored by the Fairlie Restorations ship yard in England by Duncan Walker and is now owned by the Monaco Yacht Club. Prince Albert also honored South African Mike Horn who was named the 2009 Personality of the Sea.