What is missing from Monaco?


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jcbcode99 said:
Who on this board doesn't want to see Albert get married, have some legitimate children, and create his own dynasty?
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Personally, I'm neutral on this matter even though I've spoken about what I believe the best qualifications for a wife would be.

If Albert does not want to be married, fine, that is his choice. It isn't as if Monaco doesn't have heirs lined up should Albert decide to not have legtimate children (ah, I don't like calling his kids that, but techically that's what they are). We have Andrea...though he isn't seen in Monaco often and then we have Pierre, who we see more often than the former. Yes, geographical problems can be to blame (Pierre can drive or jump on a train and go, while Andrea does not have that luxury) for Andrea's absence. Still, we do have one of the heirs stepping up and letting his presence be known. Unfortunately, it's not really who it's supposed to be.

So, that's one of my reasons as to why I'm neutral on the subject. That, and if Albert were to marry, I would hope it would be for love instead of duty.
 
iloveroyals said:
A raison d'etre as a principality for the twenty-first century. Prince Rainier was unfortunately prescient when he said that he liked to describe himself as the CEO of a huge enterprise. That's what Prince Albert has made of his realm: just a huge conglomerate. A kingdom, a principality need a past, a present and a future. Under Prince Rainier, the past was still very much there, "a sunny place for shady people", wrapped in a certain mystery, a certain dreamy distance that kept people and their unquenchable craving for scandal (which Monaco 's past was so filled with) at bay. It had a present, when he married Grace Kelly and in great part thanks to her revived the principality and melded tradition and change into something glamorous. It had a future, in their three beautiful children. It was anchored.
Now, the past is either iconized or commercialized with nostalgic commemorations, the present is Prince Albert, alone, for, realistically speaking, his siblings, nephews, nieces, illegitimate children and girlfriend don't count for much, and it has no future: there is no offspring to carry on the history.
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I think the Grimaldi siblings couldn't yet find their ( or adjust to their new) role. They're not second row figures anymore whose only purpose was to feed a romanesque, glamourous ( or scandalous ) fairy tale. Now they've been actually called to have an active, role in the destiny of the principality. It's up to them and their children ( like it or not ) to build the future of thier « rock ». And what do we see? A P. Caroline tired and turned away from Monaco; a P. Stéphanie who faded into God knows what shade; a P. Albert who seems to be unable neither to launch the principality into the challenges of the 21st century nor to project the country in the international scene. I think the family has to realize that they must unite and work together. Being royal is more than balls, beautiful dresses and being on permanent vacations. It implies real, har work! :ermm::ermm::ermm:
 
like his father before, albert will need a CLASSY wife to bring monaco back to life. by the way, i believe that albert is best for monaco, i don't see (in case he doesn't have children) caroline, e-a and their family able to step in and add any class because they represent an old era. as stephanie, caroline has her own coloured past and her hrh connections can't cover that up. no, albert could still do it by getting married to a one-off girl who has, similar to his mother, the looks, brains and charisma. i admit it's not an easy task, similar to winning the lottery.
 
The answer to this question can be found in post 457 of the Grimaldi Videos thread. Be sure to watch all 6 videos if possible.
 
I think Monaco is impossible to see without Princess Grace.Hardly someone else will able to become a person as she was!!!
 
I agree totally with you,dear queenofthelight:flowers:
 
IMO while its nice to want someone like Princess Grace its a bit unfair. Everyone has their own contributions, style, etc and pity the poor woman that Albert (if so that happens) marries. They are not and will not be Princess Grace.

Now if we are talking about a pretty, intelligent, socially conscious, hard working Princess that Albert loves (and loves him back) and shares his commitment to Monaco...that's worthy asking for. Oh, and throw in a heir or two would be icing on the top of the cake.
 
I think Monaco needs a strong and good* first woman. By good, I mean someone whose convictions will not permit them to do anything other than what is right.
 
I agree with Zonk and Freedom, but I also think what people are saying is missing from Monaco is more a sign of the times, it is the same things that seems to be missing everywhere in the world right now--At times that is even evident on these boards.

For some reason and I think unfairly some people seem to expect more from this little county in a way they don't other monarchies, which are all larger in size. As a whole I think they do a pretty good job, in both living in the modern world and in supporting their heritage and roles in the family they were born into. I don't think anyone in this day and time should ever get married out of duty, it is hard enough to have a long successful marriage when one is supposingly marrying for love. In some ways it may have been a good thing that in Albert's role that he has waited to marry, instead of having multiple royal divorces. Best of luck to all of them!
 
The towns of Menton and Roquebruen are missing!

Monaco at one time was a much larger Principality:

In 1861,with the Treaty of 2 February, Charles III ceded Monaco's authority over the towns of Menton and Roquebrune to France in exchange for total independence from French political influence. However, in July 1919, after the end of World War I, Monaco was placed once again under limited French protection according to the Treaty of Versailles, a relationship that still exists today.

Culture of Monaco - History and ethnic relations, Urbanism, architecture, and the use of space
 
I am sure that neither Menton nor Roquebrune would wish to come under Monaco's jurisdiction. Many Mentonnais work in Monaco, but live in Menton where the pace of life is more bearable.
 
Renata4711 said:
I am sure that neither Menton nor Roquebrune would wish to come under Monaco's jurisdiction. Many Mentonnais work in Monaco, but live in Menton where the pace of life is more bearable.
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I'm curious, what do you mean by "more bearable" I thought Monaco would be an ideal to place to live.
 
Isn't Monaco an expensive place to live - more focused on flashy life style, casinos, parties, etc - may not be suitable for raising a family or for senior citizens who want peace and quiet in the evening.
 
Spirit is missing from Monaco. Prince Albert seems to be lacking this human essence. Caroline is the thread that holds it together.
 
I guess the real question is ...What's missing here?

I don't know the answer and maybe it's just me. I liked tuning in from time to time...that's faiding. Moderators, don't get me wrong, you're doing a great job ...

I'm wondering ... not why Albert does what he does, or Steph or Charlene, or Caroline ... no I'm wondering with a lot of you guys why you do what you do, write what you write ... I'm not talking about your real life in Japan, Australia, Spain, Kenya, England, the USA, Germany,Korea, Argentina, Brasil or wherever you are ... I mean why do you come here and comment. I don't want to offend anyone and I know I have no right to ever know the answer to my question. You don't need to justify yourself.

It's easy for you ( I'm not talkning to anyone in particular, just thinking aloud ) ...it's easy to come here and post a comment and I understand this is a free world where everyone should be saying what they have to say. But I'm not getting the interest when it comes to these people ... Albert, Caro, Steph ....or I just don't understand it anymore....

... If I'm just not getting the point in this anymore and it should be easy ... so I'm just too blind or stupid then please forgive me ... maybe , just maybe it's just about the fun.

Is it?

In this case I'm on the wrong path ... not that I don't like to have some fun...no., I do ....just not at the expense of other people ....

...Albert, Caroline, Stephanie ... are people.


Whenever I read some posts it's like the poster doesn't care that he/ she is judging poeple ....

.... " she is unhappy, .... he is not seeing straight, .... he is ignoring the fact...., she is lonely , .... he is playing it this way because ...., she wants to look like .... "

You have to be in a persons head to know why they do what they do and why they are what they are....!!!

If you're not , and you are not ... then you should at least care about them and rephrase statements and comments using: " I believe, to me it seems like, .... but I could be wrong! "

Because you could be wrong, don't you think?!

Anyway I don't like to read this anymore ...

... you may think I'm in denial, that I don't want to see the truth about these people, that I'm naive .... ...... that's okay ...

...because there is no simple truth ... it's a question of perspective ... and a question of caring or not.


I'll try an example: A few weeks ago I watched a reporter on TV asking people on the street about what they wold say to a photo of Madonna ... just regular people on the street ... and please don't ask me what the interest was ... so the people happily commented on a picture of Madonna ( the singer) ..." she's unhappy, she's addicted to something, she's a very strict mother, she's not nice ..."
...now, I don't care much about Madonna, never met her, probably never will, ... like her music though ... but who do these people think they are? What do they know? They act like they're in Madoona's head and know it all ...just like that.... and the thing is they never cared for a second!
I'm not saying this is the end of the world. I know there things a lot worse thzan this .... but it buggs me. It does.

I, like everyone else would sometimes like to understand where people are coming from and so I might judge what they do then too... but I try not to do it intentionally ... it's not fair!


Iceflower: Thanks ... I'll stick with you!:)

Kiina: I'll write you an email. :)

Radker, LadyMac: Thank you too.
 
I think a centralized "princely family" is missing from Monaco. Monaco has all these "what ifs" Yes, there are heirs that run thru Caroline but the balance is off compared to the other royals. What is lacking is that family image that Grace and Rainier provided.

Rainier was thought as the builder prince or the father of modern Monaco.
Albert seem like he is still the "son" Monaco
 
Michelle, I dare say, I understand what you are saying and you are right in a way. But look, all of us, who are writing here, are liking, admiring and looking up to all these members of all these royal families, and just because we love them, we would like to have them "perfect", and it is out of a sometimes disappointed love, that we sometimes pronounce bitterly critical words. But at the bottom, we love and admire them all.
 
I agree with Tilla, but also with Due.

I remember watching Rainier's and Grace's wedding on TV in 1956. To a little girl, this was utter magic! They were a dream couple, and still are, to many of us. They represented an amazing mix of Hollywood and Mediterranean micro-state with a real Prince.

Since Rainier died, the "family image" is slowly fragmenting. As Tilla says, we love and admire the royals, even when we disagree with the things they do or say. Of course we are disappointed when we see the Grimaldis behaving in a way we don't like.

The days of Rainier and Grace are, alas, over. No one can take their place. Whether the younger generation can make up for the loss of glamour or family image, remains to be seen.
 
I agree totally with you.Since Grace has died,glamour has disappeared from Monaco
 
Tilla said:
Michelle, I dare say, I understand what you are saying and you are right in a way. But look, all of us, who are writing here, are liking, admiring and looking up to all these members of all these royal families, and just because we love them, we would like to have them "perfect", and it is out of a sometimes disappointed love, that we sometimes pronounce bitterly critical words. But at the bottom, we love and admire them all.
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Well said Tilla. I would add that for some of us there is a personal connection with them in some form. For example, I am from Philadelphia and my father's priest was Father Tucker. So I am interesting in Monaco as a whole. Having admired Grace, one hopes that things will carry on and that Monaco will continue to be a special place. So sometimes bitter disappoints are bound to be vented.

ZUBIAUR said:
I agree totally with you.Since Grace has died,glamour has disappeared from Monaco
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The fairytale ended. I did expect a different type of modern monarchy but not a live-in girlfriend with Princess privledges. I believed Albert in his first speech to his people. I believed his hopes for the future. What's missing is Albert a good portion of the time, thus so are his dreams for Monaco.
 
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To be fair to Albert, for most of his life he had been very much in the shadow of his father who was a "larger than life" figure, rather like Grace, but different.

All of a sudden, Albert had to develop his own style of princely behaviour, as well as his own interests and priorities for the principality. These are sport, the environment, and raising Monaco's profile in the world at large.

Perhaps, as he matures as a man and a prince, he will make these areas as his "trademark" - not the "Builder Prince" like his father, but maybe "the caring prince" or something on these lines?

However, I feel it's unlikely that he will ever be forgiven for having children out of wedlock, and for not realising "the dream" - a Prince and his Princess.
 
A great article, well found!
Compared to the machinations of 1910, the Monaco of today seems almost a sleepy village.....
 
A Lady with glamour is missing, that´s what Monaco always was, there was not another reason why the place was full of tourists. A woman with charm is publicity.
 
michelle said:
I'm wondering ... not why Albert does what he does, or Steph or Charlene, or Caroline ... no I'm wondering with a lot of you guys why you do what you do, write what you write ...
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All I do is just admire Stephanie. I am wishing the best and only the best for her and her family, and I am seeing the best in her all the time. I guess, for me at least, nothing is missing in Monaco. It evolves like all other places in the world, changes focus from time to time and I wouldn't want it any other way. All things happen for the best and knowing that is enough for me.

I loved your comment michelle. :flowers:
 
Rosana thinks a lady with glamour is what's needed. And Klina admires Stephanie.
I agree with both.

Is Stephanie "a lady with glamour"?
She certainly has her own style - the way she talks, her charme, her engagement around HIV.....
I admire her for "doing her own thing", and putting her family first.

The "glamour" is there when Albert and Stephanie are at functions together. It's their relationship which brings some glamour to Monaco.
 
Glamour for me is only Caroline today , but Monaco needs all the members of the princely family work together .
 
i do not think the idea of a golden couple is missing. At this point people do no aprecciate that idea so much, it`s like old fashion. Monaco is now diverse. Three young princes and coming(Alexandra) is the best in Monaco: a mouth of fresh air, youth, fun and interesting personalities. Not anymore the tradition. It wouldn`t fit for this world. When I see Char is like Wow, if i would see a prince and princess in their mid`s would be like : booooooring.
 
It may be that expectations were raised unusually high because of Princess Grace. She put Monaco on the "radar" of the United States and she attracted alot of her friends from Hollywood there and it was an era of exceptionally great talent that was the crowd she ran with, timeless stars like Gary Cooper, Sophia Loren, Jimmy Stewart or Mr Frank Sinatra. Some of the changes nowadays I don't think reflect on anything the Grimaldis are or are not doing, I think they're doing their best, but other big-names are not participating like they used to. There are also not so many jaw-dropping scandals these days. I could say that the family should be doing more *in* Monaco but I could probably have said the same at about any time in the past, it's all a matter of perspective.
:monacostandard::monacoflag:

Addition: And, for the record, I love Princess Stephanie too. Whatever the ups & downs, she's always been my girl -love ya Steph!
 
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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).
 
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