What is missing from Monaco?


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Bones, I agree, it's a case of expectations having been raised to such an unprecedented level that nothing less than a legend was born that day in 1956.

For me at the age of six, Grace was my favourite princess. Around that time, I was given a storybook featuring the (then) Princess Margaret Rose, the present Queen's sister.
Margaret seemed just that - someone from a story - whereas Grace came across as a living person !!

Through her stage training, Grace was enabled to play the role of her life - a Princess. Her daughters are often compared to her (often negatively), but whereas Grace chose her role of a lifetime, her two daughters had no such choice.

That's why I feel they need less of our criticism, and more of our support.

As to "big names", Buzz Aldrin came to the Rose Ball when he would have been flooded with invitations to celebrate the "moon walk" anniversary, but he chose Monaco. Monaco Telecom commented on the fact. (I could find the link if required).

Caroline upholds the legend quite well and has done a wonderful job. Albert is the one being held accountable for the negative comments. The way to deal with the legacy is what Caroline is doing. Celebrate and honor the legend, uphold the values held dear to the legend while creating your own legacy. Caroline has done well. Stephanie has also done remarkable well with her humanitarian efforts for aids. It is she who is known to look after the people who are citizens of Monaco. She is held in very high regard. What is missing is a younger jetset to bring in fresh faces and give a much needed vibe --- making it a place to be seen and photographed. That is what will bring the magic back. Albert has not been able thus far to accomplish this.
 
I read on wikipedia that after Grace died, Rainier was to mary Ira von Frustenberg, which is odd cause she is a second grade cousin to him, after Lady Victoria Hamilton, their common great-grandmother
 
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He was about to marry her? I read somewhere that they had an affair, but no marriage plans.
 
I have read there were no plans to marry
 
I can't see Rainier going through another marriage after Grace, even for Ira von Fürstenberg ! The age difference between them was 17 years. Princess Margaret described Ira as "too big a woman for so small a principality".
 
In my opinion there is NOTHING missing from Monaco, except a beautiful, elegant and accomplished consort for Prince Albert.

Otherwise, it is perfect!
 
Monaco has a style of monarchy that seems to be more celebrity than royal. Charlotte could be a big star for the Grimaldis, but Caroline raised her and her brothers to shy away from the spotlight. You can tell in Charlotte's interview about show jumping that she is not television-savvy. The only ones you really see are Albert (of course), Caroline during her charity galas, and Stephanie, who seems rather needy and requires a lot of attention.

Without weddings and no real face-time with the younger members, the waters are quiet. Very quiet.
 
yes because Charlotte wants to live a life.
If we look closely we can see that few people know Charlotte and would recognize her if they saw it. She can shop in a full store in the US without any disturbance. On
ly the razzi know... and follow her
 
It is a known fact that with many people born wealthy, the work ethic can often be lacking. Albert has always had everything he's wanted one way or the other. He seems to lack that work ethic. He has cultivated the playboy image for a long time and has been allowed to lead that kind of life for a long time. His only responsibilities were to travel as a good will ambassador and that is what he continues to do. The transition to hard-working head of state did not occur and by the looks of things never will. I am hard on Albert because he does have the ability- he just has chosen not to do it.

What is Monaco missing? it's missing a leader.
i agree-- BUMP!:previous:
 
Yes, it's difficult to see the family regaining the magic which was largely generated by Grace. I will always want to follow them, but I know this is mainly because of my admiration for Grace. Albert, although he takes his duties seriously & appears to be a very pleasant human being, hasn't IMP, sufficient charisma to make an impression. Perhaps this doesn't matter - other European Royals lead relatively "quiet" lives & are well respected. But every now & again, perhaps only once in a generation, someone special emerges who captivates a world- wide audience. Monaco had its moment, & it may not come again for a little while.
 
I can't agree that PA leads a "relatively quiet life". For me, he comes across as an "action man", constantly arranging events and meetings, opening this or closing that.
Since his father's death, he seems to try to catch up on the decades when he had virtually no role to play.

As to making an impression, I think he has done that already, either through his expeditions to the North and South Poles, or through his commitment to Olympics, to name only a few.
 
If I am allowed to add my 2d worth. What we are seeing is a transitional phase, from celebrity to certainty, with HSH Albert II going through a shoring up phase. So he can find his own style yet setting it up that his sister's descendants (as it stands now) have a firmer 'rock' to which they can stand upon. For this to happen, it is right that the spotlight must be upon some other place.

Besides HSH Ranier III and HSH Grace were pretty much a 'once in a century' couple that a realm had.
 
I can't agree that PA leads a "relatively quiet life". For me, he comes across as an "action man", constantly arranging events and meetings, opening this or closing that.
Since his father's death, he seems to try to catch up on the decades when he had virtually no role to play.

As to making an impression, I think he has done that already, either through his expeditions to the North and South Poles, or through his commitment to Olympics, to name only a few.
Yes I agree, I meant "quiet life" to mean many European Royals not attracting huge publicity for everything they do, & Albert does a lot.
 
Yes, he does, and it often comes across to me as trying to pack as much as possible into the remainder of his working life.

I've been trying to put myself into the shoes of someone who, at 50, has previously not had the chance to show his mettle, apart from the (dubious) honour of representing Monaco in Olympic Bobsleigh, and indulging in playboy pursuits.
I think it is not a coincidence that PA and Prince Charles get on so well and even cooperate on environmental matters. Albert has finally got the "top job", whilst Charles is still waiting (and will be for some time to come) to be crowned King.
 
It is nice that Caroline is Pauline's godmother. I didn't know it. If only we have pictures of the whole clan, as giov said. That would be so nice. Everyone together, all of Rainier's descendants and Antoinette's family too: children, grandchildren, no matter to being legitimate offspring or not, so definitely include Jazmin and Alexandre and Camille in that wish. I think Albert would find that public opinion about him would skyrocket if only he were seen, just the tiniest bit, to be a real dad to his kids. Just that would go so far towards putting the "family" back in Princely Family.
I love this post;)
 
I agree with you, Due and CasiraghiTrio, and a "whole clan photo" would perhaps make a difference to people's perceptions.
But then we already get the whole clan (or what's left of it) every year on National Day.
Perhaps PA really wants to integrate his "non-princely family", but maybe feels that his Monegasques would not wear it...
 
Dynamics of the Grimaldi Family

~ Their head of state is a bachelor
~ There are rumours of a divorce for the heir presumptive
~ The second person in line for the throne is only 25.
~ They have a love-hate relationship with the paparazzi like any other royal family which might be further exemplified having the matron of the family as a Hollywood star.

Considering all these factors, the Grimaldi family is in a very vulnerable position. I'm impressed with Prince Albert's progress on the international arena. The onus is one on who Prince Albert will choose as his consort, she must be able to handle the glare of the paparazzi and hold her own as consort for this family line.

Though, Princess Caroline children have been pretty good about keeping out of the media limelight, I think the elders have to drop their rebellious past and set strong examples for the youth in the family.
 
Elegant Glamorous Long Ago Monaco

I have scanned a lovely little Monaco souvenir booklet from the 1930's. It was printed when Prince Louis II was the ruler of Monaco. He ruled from 1922 to 1949. The booklet is done in the distinctive style of art deco, geometric shapes, and eclectic forms of the new elegant and stylish modernism. Art Deco was an opulent style, and Monaco was the place to be.

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Maybe I am old fashioned. Well I guess there is no maybe about it. Monoco needs a first lady. Caroline is great at it, but she it still the sister of the ruler. He needs to marry. Bring glamor and family back to the fore front. I don't know if his sisters problems in there marriages/relationships have scared him. But if he is to rule he needs his "own" family to be beside him. The is my opinion of course.
 
It would have been awesome if Albert would have married before. Say, at 30 years, more or less. And have his own family. About the glamour...I still think that Albert doesn't marry Charlene because she is not like her mom, or her sister Caroline, full of glamour and charisma. When a person says 'Monaco' it get an instantly picture of glamour, charisma, beautiful women, and fiscal paradise.
 
I think it would be wonderful for the Monaco image for Albert to marry and have a family. His sisters, nieces and nephews are wonderful however seeing him with a wife and children would be extra special
 
# 202
The fiscal paradise is finished! PA saw to that.
It may seem romantic to have a slightly dodgy reputation, but Albert (and his father before him) were clever enough to put an end to that.
Reality has prevailed over "image".
 
Maybe I am old fashioned. Well I guess there is no maybe about it. Monoco needs a first lady. Caroline is great at it, but she it still the sister of the ruler. He needs to marry. Bring glamor and family back to the fore front. I don't know if his sisters problems in there marriages/relationships have scared him. But if he is to rule he needs his "own" family to be beside him. The is my opinion of course.


No question. You are correct.
 
I hate to say it, but I fear we will have to wait for a princess for Albert for a very long time.

This, in my opinion, is the status quo:

PA is now the Sovereign. He has no one breathing down his neck, including family or government. What he says, goes.

He has complete freedom and has had it for many decades. He has an available and compliant girlfriend.

He appears to be grooming the next generation for the eventual takeover, and they seem to be fairly serious players, both as people and as mediatised celebs.

The Monegasques are probably no longer interested in whether he gets married or not, because his lifestyle does not really impinge on their daily lives. They are fairly happy and content because the Principality has not really felt the effects of the economic downturn quie as much as other countries.

So WHY ON EARTH would anyone - in Monaco or the rest of the world - care whether he's single or not???
 
Renata4711
This is brilliantly articulated and I doubt that with the definitive manner you have put it anyone can disagree..
 
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I agree with you Renata. Specially in this part:

He appears to be grooming the next generation for the eventual takeover, and they seem to be fairly serious players, both as people and as mediatised celebs.

The Monegasques are probably no longer interested in whether he gets married or not, because his lifestyle does not really impinge on their daily lives. They are fairly happy and content because the Principality has not really felt the effects of the economic downturn quie as much as other countries.
 
I forgot to say that Albert must feel doubly happy because, by way of Caroline's return to the fold, he now has his Princesse de Monaco back again, thus sharing many of his representational duties !
 
Maybe I am old fashioned. Well I guess there is no maybe about it. Monoco needs a first lady. Caroline is great at it, but she it still the sister of the ruler. He needs to marry. Bring glamor and family back to the fore front. I don't know if his sisters problems in there marriages/relationships have scared him. But if he is to rule he needs his "own" family to be beside him. The is my opinion of course.

Well, i think P. Caroline is the first lady of Monaco, BY BIRTH, BY RIGHT and by dids :crown6:. She was born in Monaco, daughter of a monegasque souvereign, she knows all about the monegasque cultural, social ( and i dare say ) politic life. She's a glamorous, charismatic woman to whom everyone turns when things needs to be done ( from a simple charity lunch to a major event )... it's her country after all :monacoflag:. No other woman will ever be so attached to Monaco as she is and always has been even if married to the souvereign prince. Monaco is just P. Caroline natural element, that's all... She moves in Monaco as a fish in the sea! :curtsey:
 
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