A Monaco Retrospective - Christmas at the Palace

Julia · #1 12-03-2003, 03:34 AM

Here the late Princess Grace rushes to finish her Christmas present wrapping in her bedroom in the palace.

ALL PHOTOS BY HOWELL CONANT

Here a cheerful Prince Rainier carries two santas across the palace courtyard.

Caroline kisses the santa while Stephanie hugs the same and Albert practices his boxing skills on the other!

Princess Grace always insisted that the family decorate a tree for their living quarters in the palace and great fun was had by all. Here Albert helps his mother with the golden garland.

Here Princess Grace and Princess Stephanie share some holiday fun together.

The final result.

Princess Grace always threw a Christmas party for Monaco's orphans. They enjoyed a holiday movie, sweets and finally were given presents which the princess spent weeks choosing and preparing the presentation. It was one of her favorite ways to give during the holidays. The tradition still continues today.

Here Princesses Grace and Caroline and Princes Rainier and Albert hand out gifts to Monegasque orphans.

Princess Grace and Prince Albert listen to a young girl thanking the princely family for their generosity.

Prince Albert hands out gifts to the orphans.

And finally, many happy youngesters leave the enchanted palace with their Christmas gifts. The glorious large Christmas tree in the Prince's courtyard can be seen in the background.

Alexandria · #2 12-03-2003, 09:40 AM

Very nice pictures, Julia. I especially like the ones with the blown up Santas! How cute!

And the Grimaldi's tree was absolutely huge! And it's nice that the family decorated the tree together, rather than just having it brought in all decorated by palace workers.

monaco70s · #3 12-03-2003, 10:12 AM

Great job Julia! IMO Howell Conant's book is one of the best out there about the Grimaldi family because it shows great candid and official photos that he took of Grace and her family.

It would be very nice if this year Caroline joined Prince Rainier, Princess Stephanie, and Prince Albert giving up the presents in the palace like she did with her children back in 1998.

Monaco70s

zhontella · #4 12-03-2003, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Julia@Dec 3rd, 2003 - 12:39 am
Princess Grace always insisted that the family decorate a tree for their living quarters in the palace and great fun was had by all.

It's too bad Princess Grace had to "insist". Was there Christmas spirit by any of the rest of the family?

Alexandria · #5 12-03-2003, 09:10 PM

In the fifth picture down, where Grace is having fun with Stephanie in front of the Christmas tree, Grace is wearing glasses. I never realized how attractive Grace looks in her glasses. They're very nice frames. I wonder where I can get a pair like that?!

reynard · #6 12-15-2004, 05:42 PM

http://members3.boardhost.com/Oranjes/msg/90050.htmlHere's a link to a nice picture of the Grimaldis all together at the Palace

**iceflower** · #7 12-05-2005, 05:19 PM

It won't be long till it's Christmas time again, so I'll try to bring a little Christmas feeling in here :) I'd like to dedicate this thread to the annual distribution of gifts at the palace. Hope you like it and that you will join in :)

1999:

(HOLA)

**iceflower** · #8 12-05-2005, 05:22 PM

1998:

(Point de Vue, HOLA)

**iceflower** · #9 12-05-2005, 05:26 PM

1997:

(Semana)

**iceflower** · #10 12-05-2005, 05:28 PM

1996:

(Lecturas)

**iceflower** · #11 12-05-2005, 05:30 PM

1995:

(Lecturas)

michelle · #12 12-05-2005, 05:30 PM

Very cute idea, ice ...we'll keep that going...promised :-)

**iceflower** · #13 12-05-2005, 05:32 PM

1994 and 1989:

(PdV, FIS)

Ianna · #14 12-05-2005, 05:56 PM

Great thread with great photos, Iceflower!:) Some of them are "new" to me!

I'll join you!

Young family giving presents in 1961 (I think)..(TopFoto)

Giving presents in 1967..(Keystone)

Christmas 1968..and receiving some too:p (Aci)

Ianna · #15 12-05-2005, 06:01 PM

Princess Grace and cutie Stephanie giving presents 1974..(Polfoto)

Christmas 1975..(Farabolafoto)

**iceflower** · #16 12-06-2005, 05:20 AM

I'm glad you like it, Michelle and Ianna, and thanks for adding those nice pics! :)

I guess there are a lot of pics from the last years in the current-events-threads, so here are only a few from 2004 and 2003:

(das neue)

**iceflower** · #17 12-06-2005, 05:24 AM

And some older ones:
1972 - Polfoto

1981 and 1982 (Steph still has her bandage from the accident..) - Lecturas

michelle · #18 12-06-2005, 06:45 AM

Hey I didn't know they were doing the presnts-for-kids-thing even in 1982 ...specially Steph ... brave girl...

teense · #19 12-06-2005, 06:55 AM

This is such a great topic! I really enjoy the pictures of Prince Rainier as he gives gifts to the children. You can tell he loves the children--just look at his eyes!