Monaco Update

There have been a lot of dramatic events in Monaco this year and the year is only halfway over. The worst, of course, came in March – the death of nonagenarian Princess Antoinette, Baroness de Massy. But then Prince Albert, the sovereign, and his bride-to-be, Charlene Wittstock, paid a cheerful visit to Ireland. Among the delights among the Leprechauns: a visit to the old Kelly homestead.

Princess Caroline, elder sister of Prince Albert, snuggled with the cats at the Principality’s Feline Festival, and smelled the roses at the Flower Show. Always looking fresh and radiant, the Hereditary Princess de Monaco, who is also by marriage Princess de Hanovre, took some time out in April to address the conference of AMADE — that wonderful children’s welfare organization, founded by her mother, Princess Grace, in 1963, and of which Caroline became President 30 years later. Caroline’s Gucci-clad daughter Charlotte Casiraghi competed in the amateur rounds of the Global Champions Tour in Valencia, Spain. Charlotte competed on new horses and wore a new wardrobe specially designed for her by Frida Giannini, the creative director at Gucci. Charlotte also announced that she had been the editor of the launch edition of the Tour’s magazine, entitled GCT Life.

We’ve seen Caroline’s younger-middle child, Pierre, attempt to take the mantle of an entrepreneurial leader for his generation when he addressed a special assembly on entrepreneurship in various enterprises. It was mentioned that Pierre had studied economics at Bocconi University in Milan and now holds the majority of shares of two companies – Engeco and Monacair – and is a newly appointed Honorary Member of the Jeune Chambres Economique de Monaco. Pierre’s ownership of Monacair came into use particularly two days before the Monaco Grand Prix. More information on Pierre’s endeavour can be found here.

The Monaco Grand Prix – an annual and glamorous Formula 1 car race – happened in the week after the Cannes Film Festival. Prince Albert, Charlene, and Charlotte Casiraghi led the way for the Monegasques at the AmFAR gala in Cannes, which celebrated the life and work against AIDS of the late Elizabeth Taylor. Then Charlene and Charlotte were tied for center stage again at the Grand Prix.

Last week, Prince Albert visited Latvia and Estonia to discuss with the heads of state of those countries bilateral relations with Monaco, including commercial and environmental issues. Charlene was officially named the Monegasque ambassador to the Special Olympics.

Charlene will, we all know, become Her Serene Highness the Princess of Monaco on July 1st, when she and Prince Albert sign the marriage certificate in the Throne Room at the Palace. The next day, the marriage will be celebrated in a religious service in the Palace courtyard. You can learn about the wedding and media coverage from the official Mariage Princier website. There is also a hashtag – #MariagePrincier2011 – for tweets.

Filed under Monaco
Tagged Albert II of Monaco, Bilateral Relations, Charlotte Casiraghi, Estonia, France, Grand Prix, HIV/AIDS, Latvia, Monegasques Royal Wedding 2011, Patronage, Pierre Casiraghi, Princess Charlène of Monaco, Sport, Working Visit.

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