Prince Albert & Charlene Wittstock Wedding Suggestions & Musings

[crm2317]

I have to say, though I'm sure the bridesmaids will be adorable, I am a little disappointed that none of the bridesmaids or page boys will be from the family. I had been hoping to see Pauline or Alexandra or Charlotte in the bridal party. Possibly even Jazmin or Alexandre.

[KittyAtlanta]

FanOfMonaco: I understand it is a technicality. I was hoping I would get a responsible answer, which I did. Thanks. I just get tired of the pithy attitude toward the House of Monaco. Love 'em.

[Nadine]

Wow, so much has happened since I last checked in! :)

Brand new updates over at the official site, as well as here, my favorite being the online souvenir store ~ love the keychains, but am hoping for more of a selection as the wedding nears ~ half dolls of the bride please, and the groom if allowed, don't want to be too greedy.

But that said, I have to be totally honest, I'm devastated about the bridesmaids being little kids not from the family. I so wanted it to be like Grace Kelly's spectacular bridal party, which included traditional bridesmaids, which are defined as unwed young women of "marriageable age", not little kids. And not even from the family. I mean I could see children being part of the Junior Attendants, they wouldn't even have to be from the family, but to make the ENTIRE bridal party a group of literally strangers, no matter how cute or in deference to the Monegasque people is not right imho. Not right at all.

Because of this I don't see much coverage of the wedding, especially from the United States, and I wouldn't blame them at all. Just totally disappointing not to have those faces that attract people to Monaco, and whom the public is familiar with, namely Prince Albert's two sisters, especially the young good-looking Casiraghi Trio.

That said, I know the focus is and should be on Albert & Charlene, especially Charlene as the bride. But I honestly don't think including Albert's sisters, nieces, and nephews would draw away attention from the bride. Remember how respectful they were to Charlene this past year, after the engagement announcement, wherein Caroline, Stephanie, and Charlotte, et al, all wore black so that Charlene could shine when they all appeared on the balcony. They made her the star, as it should be. Therefore, I don't see how including his family would take away from his bride.

Sorry, but just totally disappointing. :(

[FanofMonaco]

I am wondering if the terminology is different in Europe from the US. It sounds like they are describing flower girls and ring bearers to me- the children's jobs. Is it possible they will announce the brides maids and groomsmen at a later date?

1500 journalists have applied for accredidation in Monaco so someone is going to cover this wedding. The timing of the weddings are also set up for the Americas to watch. That isn't coincidental. I am hoping we will start to get some interviews in June. It's been a long time since anyone other than PA has spoken to the American press. I am hoping to see PC, PS and the Casiraghis. If they are going to interview this is the time. Maybe we will get to see some of the GCT in Monte Carlo also. It's the week before the wedding.

[Renata4711]

Nadine, wait and see... They are revealing the game plan bit by bit, just like the W&K wedding.

The main "actors" will certainly enter together and be close to the couple.

[melina premiere]

We don't know the names of these children to avoid the pressure on them. In france and Monaco , we have children as brideflowers or groom, we have not girls at 16 to 20.
But thankyou for the children who were selected to escort the couple, they are judged to be unworthy to be flowersbrides or grooms because they are not royals
One thing, I would say and after I will shut my mouth.Prince Albert always said that he wanted to share his wedding with people of Monaco,We don-t know if Caroline and Stephanie wanted to see their children in the light of this event. I am sure that Stephanie is agreed with this escort for Caroline, I think Prince Albert told with Caroline and she was agreed. We will see all the family at the wedding include Alexandra, Charlotte, Pauline and Camille.

[MRSJ]

Originally Posted by KittyAtlanta

Hummmm. How can Al of Hanover, who is a daughter of a deposed family, outrank a reigning family?

I would think that her Monaco side, which currently reigns, would be on top.

Can anyone define?

HSH Prince Albert is a ruling sovereign monarch thus in rank he is equal to Kings and Queen's - his niece does not outrank him nor does she outrank her mother .... The HRH and HSH as nothing to do with it.....HSH Prince Albert is as equal in rank to HM Queen Elizabeth II.....

[crm2317]

Originally Posted by melina premiere

We don't know the names of these children to avoid the pressure on them. In france and Monaco , we have children as brideflowers or groom, we have not girls at 16 to 20.
But thankyou for the children who were selected to escort the couple, they are judged to be unworthy to be flowersbrides or grooms because they are not royals
One thing, I would say and after I will shut my mouth.Prince Albert always said that he wanted to share his wedding with people of Monaco,We don-t know if Caroline and Stephanie wanted to see their children in the light of this event. I am sure that Stephanie is agreed with this escort for Caroline, I think Prince Albert told with Caroline and she was agreed. We will see all the family at the wedding include Alexandra, Charlotte, Pauline and Camille.

It is not that they are judged unworthy, I don't think that was what was meant.

I have to agree with the other posters that it would have been nice to see Albert's family involved in the wedding party as well as children from the principality that the couple may well have never met.

[KittyAtlanta]

Originally Posted by MRSJ

HSH Prince Albert is a ruling sovereign monarch thus in rank he is equal to Kings and Queen's - his niece does not outrank him nor does she outrank her mother .... The HRH and HSH as nothing to do with it.....HSH Prince Albert is as equal in rank to HM Queen Elizabeth II.....

We were talking about Alexandra of Hanover and got it settled many posts back. Thanks for the input.

[missMaryanne]

Originally Posted by angieuk

Am a bit confused?

Six bridesmaids from the Town?

Does that mean that Albert's immediate family nieces are not bridemaids' but strangers who live in the town?

what????6 strangers to be bridesmaids?

i think that steph doesn't want her kids to be more public that they are, but it's her brother's wedding, she could make an exception... and what about caroline's daughter?...

that wedding would be a good moment to see the whole family together.

[an_]

Originally Posted by FanofMonaco

It's a technicality. Alexandra is a royal highness descended from Queen Victoria of England and Kaiser Wilhelm of WWI fame. But Ernst has no power and power is what counts in the real world. Monaco may be little, but the Grimaldis are wealthier than most, maybe all, European Kings and Queens. They also are great at networking. They seem to know everybody that's anybody.

Originally Posted by MRSJ

HSH Prince Albert is a ruling sovereign monarch thus in rank he is equal to Kings and Queen's - his niece does not outrank him nor does she outrank her mother .... The HRH and HSH as nothing to do with it.....HSH Prince Albert is as equal in rank to HM Queen Elizabeth II.....

I am afraid I have to disagree with you.

According to Wikipedia (Royal Highness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia):
"Royal Highness (abbreviation HRH) is a style (His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness); plural Royal Highnesses (abbreviation TRH, Their Royal Highnesses). It appears in front of the names of some members of some royal families but is not used for Kings or Queens who are styled Majesty.
The style Royal Highness ranks below Imperial Highness, but above Grand Ducal Highness, Highness, Serene Highness and some other styles."

So, ranks are:
01. Kings or Queens - HM (His/Her Majesty)
02. Royal Highness - HRH
03. Grand Ducal Highness - HDGH
04. Highness - HH
05. Serene Higness - HSH

Conclusions:
01. HSH Prince Albert is definitely not equal in rank to HM Queen Elizabeth II.
02. HM Queen Elizabeth II outranks Prince Albert in 4 positions.
03. HRH and HSH do have a lot do with it.
04. Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra are both HRH, which means the two of them outrank HSH Prince Albert in 3 positions.
05. Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra are both HRH, which means they are on the same rank.
06. Titles have absolutely nothing to do with power and/or money. Even less with who knows who.

[FanofMonaco]

Titles did at one time have everything to do with power and money. Thats how they became rulers. Now most of them are ineffective puppets who are ruled by their governments rather than the other way around. A title will get you nothing in the US. It's productivity that counts.

[an_]

Originally Posted by FanofMonaco

Titles did at one time have everything to do with power and money. Thats how they became rulers. Now most of them are ineffective puppets who are ruled by their governments rather than the other way around. A title will get you nothing in the US. It's productivity that counts.

Oh yes, I do agree with you that "Titles did at one time have everything to do with power and money."
But what I meant is that, regardless of wealth and/or power, royal and nobility titles are subjected to rules that define ranks. Just like, for instance, in the army, navy: general/admiral ... major ... captain ... soldier

[Princess Robijn]

Originally Posted by an_

I am afraid I have to disagree with you.

According to Wikipedia (Royal Highness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia):
"Royal Highness (abbreviation HRH) is a style (His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness); plural Royal Highnesses (abbreviation TRH, Their Royal Highnesses). It appears in front of the names of some members of some royal families but is not used for Kings or Queens who are styled Majesty.
The style Royal Highness ranks below Imperial Highness, but above Grand Ducal Highness, Highness, Serene Highness and some other styles."

So, ranks are:
01. Kings or Queens - HM (His/Her Majesty)
02. Royal Highness - HRH
03. Grand Ducal Highness - HDGH
04. Highness - HH
05. Serene Higness - HSH

Conclusions:
01. HSH Prince Albert is definitely not equal in rank to HM Queen Elizabeth II.
02. HM Queen Elizabeth II outranks Prince Albert in 4 positions.
03. HRH and HSH do have a lot do with it.
04. Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra are both HRH, which means the two of them outrank HSH Prince Albert in 3 positions.
05. Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra are both HRH, which means they are on the same rank.
06. Titles have absolutely nothing to do with power and/or money. Even less with who knows who.

You are correct that a Royal Highness outranks a Serene Highness (and others), but there is an exceptions and that is with monarchs. (1) That's why the Queen of England doesn't outrank the Prince of Monaco. At least not in this time period. Go back 100 years (or less actually) and that changes. (5) That is also why Prince Albert outranks Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra.

PR

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by crm2317

It is not that they are judged unworthy, I don't think that was what was meant.

I have to agree with the other posters that it would have been nice to see Albert's family involved in the wedding party as well as children from the principality that the couple may well have never met.

It was similiar when Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein married Duchess Sophie in Bavaria. Then they had children each from one of the Kantons of Liechtenstein and also Guilllaume of Luxembourg was incliuded.

Originally Posted by melina premiere

on Monaco matin, it is said that the bridemaids (girls and boys) will be from Monaco and the towns very closed to Monaco.
On monaco actualites, it is also said that there will be at Saturday'wedding at 12 am a cocktail at the Hermitage for the guests of the couple .
On the card of invitation there is the code dress for the wedding( jackets or uniform) for man hats for women, there will not be tiaras to admire.
I think Prince Albert will take weights with all these cocktails

So the dresscode will be the same as in London? Or will it be lo ng gowns for the ladies? Short gowns and hats would be strange if one consider that there is a Ball after the Wedding and probably no time for the ladies to change gowns.

[melina premiere]

I think royals will have anotherinforms on the wedding the dress code is surely for the non royals who will attend to the wedding; I think royals will dress in evening choths with tiara during the travel Prince Albert and princess Charlene will make until the Sainte Devote church. The Hotel of Paris and Fairmont hotel are not far from the palast.

I was thinking about the children escort, perhaps itis for introducing Alexandre Coste among them, it would be a surprise. Albert's son is living in Villefranche french town closed to Monaco

[titiromi]

Originally Posted by an_

I am afraid I have to disagree with you.

According to Wikipedia (Royal Highness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia):
"Royal Highness (abbreviation HRH) is a style (His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness); plural Royal Highnesses (abbreviation TRH, Their Royal Highnesses). It appears in front of the names of some members of some royal families but is not used for Kings or Queens who are styled Majesty.
The style Royal Highness ranks below Imperial Highness, but above Grand Ducal Highness, Highness, Serene Highness and some other styles."

So, ranks are:
01. Kings or Queens - HM (His/Her Majesty)
02. Royal Highness - HRH
03. Grand Ducal Highness - HDGH
04. Highness - HH
05. Serene Higness - HSH

Conclusions:
01. HSH Prince Albert is definitely not equal in rank to HM Queen Elizabeth II.
02. HM Queen Elizabeth II outranks Prince Albert in 4 positions.
03. HRH and HSH do have a lot do with it.
04. Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra are both HRH, which means the two of them outrank HSH Prince Albert in 3 positions.
05. Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra are both HRH, which means they are on the same rank.
06. Titles have absolutely nothing to do with power and/or money. Even less with who knows who.

Ernst August doesn't reighn. He is just titled Prince and HRH by courtesy.

[melina premiere]

When Prince Ernst August was yet in Monaco yet with Princess Caroline, he walked a step behind Prince Albert at the begining of the reign he entered with Caroline behind Prince Albert and Stephanie. At the national fest in 2010, little Alexandra was with her brothers and sister at the second linie behind princess Stephanie, Princess Caroline and Charlene. when a prince is no more reigning , his title is no more matter as he is reigning. A part in the events in Society.(look king Constantin, Empress Farah or the kings of Roumania, yougoslavia and so)
Prince Albert is a prince sovereign he is at the same rank as the others kings or queenswho are ruling. At The funerals of President Pompidou , De Gaule or MitterrandPrince Rainier went outside the first fefore the kings and queens who attended this event because his reigning was the most long.

[MRSJ]

Originally Posted by Princess Robijn

. (1) That's why the Queen of England doesn't outrank the Prince of Monaco. At least not in this time period. Go back 100 years (or less actually) and that changes. (5) That is also why Prince Albert outranks Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra.

PR

Thanks....well said. A ruling sovereign is equal in rank to another sovereign. Since he is sovereign he can not be outranked by his siblings or their children.....

As I've recently learned on this board a style HRH and HSH are different then rank ..... A rank is determined by your place within the line to the throne (which ever throne it is) while a style is just that something that you're styled as aka called.....Albert holds the rank of ruling sovereign while having an HSH style....

[Zonk]

Let's stay on topic...this thread isn't about the Styles and Titles in Monaco.