A Monaco Retrospective - Christmas at the Palace

[Julia]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Christmas in Monaco

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

 

[iceflower]

Christmas at the Palace

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]

1998:

(Point de Vue, HOLA)

 

[iceflower]

1997:

(Semana)

 

[iceflower]

1996:

(Lecturas)

 

[iceflower]

1995:

(Lecturas)

 

[michelle]

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

 

[iceflower]

1994 and 1989:

(PdV, FIS)

 

[Ianna]

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 (Aci)

 

[Ianna]

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

Christmas 1975..(Farabolafoto)

 

[iceflower]

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]

And some older ones:
1972 - Polfoto

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

 

[michelle]

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

 

[teense]

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!

 

[lady_windsor]

how sweet do they give out presents to children every year?

 

[paca]

how sweet do they give out presents to children every year?

Yes there are several partys. One is for the children of palace employees(takes place at the palace), then there is one for Monegasques and residents who are signed up with the social services from the city hall and then, if I remember correctly, there is also presents handed out in the creche of the red cross in Fontvielle.

 

[iceflower]

That's what I thought as well, Michelle...And teense, I'm glad you like it too

Pics from 1970, 1973 - Paris Match and 1975, 1976 - Gettyimages

 

[pollyemma]

great photos. thanks so much for posting them.
I wish more royal families had traditions like this.

 

[iceflower]

I read an article in which Albert talked about that distribution of gifts to the children, he said: "Seeing the happiness of all those children is one of my greatest joys" (Paris Match 1998) So sweet

Some more pics from Corbis 1992 and 1993:

 

[budge9]

Does anybody know when they are doing it this year? Thanks!

 

[paca]

Does anybody know when they are doing it this year? Thanks!

I think next wednesday afternoon, but I'm not 100% sure. I read it in the paper a while ago, but I could confuse it with the date in the city hall. But I'm fairly sure it all takes place sometime next week, since the school holidays are starting on Friday 16th, so they will have to do it before.

 

[michelle]

Right, it will be some time next week...

...here are some earlier photos of children comig to the Palace...and the princely family:

(mcpress, sipa, profimedia)

 

[michelle]

...more...:

(BdP)

 

[michelle]

Stephanie and Albert giving presents to children at the Creche de Fontvielle....2004

(sipa)

 

[michelle]

....2003....

(eastnews, polfoto)