Yesterday Queen Paola of the Belgians took four of her grand children to the circus Bouglione  (near the Anatomium) in Brussels to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “L’Oeuvre des Berceaux Princesse Paola / Het Werk Der Wiegjes Prinses Paola” .

Click on image to see photo at Zimbio

The queen, accompanied by her daughter princess Astrid and her daughter-in-law princess Claire took four of her grand children along: princess Laeticia Marie (daughter of princess Astrid) and princess Louise, prince Aymeric and prince Nicholas (children of prince Laurent and princess Claire. Apart from the royals many other attended the special show,. For the event 1000 children from underpriviledged families were invited.

L’Oeuvre des Berceaux Princesse Paola (the work of the cradles of princess Paola) was founded in 1876. The original name of the charity was ‘the foundation of the blacks’. In order to raise money and save the nursery, a group of well-off gentlemen decided to create ‘African Academy’; they disguised themselves as black people to avoid recognition in restaurants they frequented as clients. They blackened their faces and put on costumes of white top hat, a black coat and bright-coloured baggy trousers. The ‘Academy’ was very successful and raised enough money to save the nursery. Over the years, raising money for charity in this way has become one of the finest (and funniest) folklore traditions of Brussels.

Click on image to see photo at gva.be

In 1959, shortly after her marriage, Princess Paola accepted the post of Honorary President of the “African Academy”, which was re-named “L’Oeuvre des Berceaux Princesse Paola”. The foundation helps children from underprivileged environment; the help manifests itself in covering medical expenses, acquiring necessary food, clothing, school supplies, etc.

A gallery of pictures is available at the website of the Gazet van Antwerpen, click here. A thread about the current events of the Belgian royal family an be found here.

Marengo Belgian Royals Circus, Princess Astrid of Belgium, Princess Claire, Queen Paola

Click the image to see the photo at the Circus website

 Monaco’s 33rd Annual International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo concluded January 25, 2009 with awards presented by Her Serene Highness Princess Stephanie.  The festival included more than 15 performances (one more than previous years) and included appearances by the Princess and her children. Although the family has often appeared together in years past, neither Prince Albert II or Princess Caroline were in Monaco to attend this year’s festivities.

Princess Stephanie serves as President of the Festival and judges, actively planning each years events in addition to awarding the prizes.  It was the Princess’ parents, the Prince Rainier and Princess Grace, who first invited the best acts to Monaco in 1974 and included famous friends as judges to draw tourists. Prince Rainier’s circus fascination included signing personal documents with a hand drawn clown face and the keeping of animals at the Palace Zoo.  He passed along his love of the circus to his youngest daughter who spent time traveling with a circus troupe in Europe and has allowed her children to train and perform.

This year’s events included the presentation of the Clown D’Or and the Clown D’Argent to the Cirque Moranbong de Pyong Yang.

Related photos for the festival are available here.

Sg1Fan Monaco Royals Circus, Princess Stephanie