Monday, May 30, 2011

Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock shine at annual AmFar Gala

He has a well-known connection to Hollywood through his late mother Grace Kelly. So, for Prince Albert, a night mingling with the toast of Tinsletown provided the perfect setting for some fun and frivolity. The Monagasque royal attended the annual Amfar gala in Cannes accompanied by his elegant bride-to-be Charlene Wittstock.
Shoulder to shoulder with the cream of Hollywood, the betrothed couple were happy and relaxed as they partied together at the star-studded event.







Monaco's future princess looked radiant in a dove grey Giorgio Armani gown that complemented her delicate features and porcelain skin.
She has frequently been compared to Princess Grace, who lit up silver screens in the 1950s, exuding the glamour and poise associated with the golden age of cinema.
With less than two months to go until their big day, Charlene and Albert had every reason to celebrate at the gala evening.
Charlene was in a playful mood, giggling frequently throughout the event as she chatted to fellow invitees, including Naomi Campbell and Albert's niece Charlotte Casiraghi, who whom she clearly has a close friendship.
And her demeanour evidently rubbed off on her prince, who danced alongside her during one of the evening's musical performances.
It wasn’t just the couple's fancy footwork made evident at the charity event - so too was their generosity.
Top lot at the night's famous auction was the chance to play tennis with Prince Albert, for which a bidder paid 500,000 euros.
And former Olympian swimmer Charlene raised the same amount with an impromptu offer of a private swimming lesson, taking the royal pair's total contribution to the gala to one million euros.
The tactile 33-year-old, who stayed close to her prince throughout the evening, also placed the winning 60,000 euro bid on Moet & Chandon's Nebuchadnezzar Champagne in a gold-leafed bottle.


Sunday, May 29, 2011

Spotted: Princess Beatrice and boyfriend Dave Clark in Monaco


Princess Beatrice walks in the pitlane with her boyfriend Dave Clark before the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit on May 29, 2011 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.


Happy Birthday, Crown Prince Frederik! (take a look of him as a baby too!)


Happy 43rd birthday to Denmark's heir to the throne!
Have a look at him and his dad's excitement when he was born here.

[Monaco] Royal bride and groom give interview to ZDF - German Channel





"He's the man I dreamed of. He's perfect for me in every way," Charlene Wittstock has previously said of her fiancé Prince Albert of Monaco.
And sitting side by side, exchanging frequent glances and laughs in their first TV interview together, the nearlyweds clearly looked excited about the three-day celebration in which they plan to celebrate their love.
The couple threw open the doors of Monaco Palace, which has housed generations of the Grimaldi clan in splendour since 13th century, to German channel ZDF.
Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer, who was born in Zimbabwe and moved with her family to South Africa in 1989, looked pretty in a summery polka dot number.
She spoke with a slight African accent and answered questions with the natural composure and graciousness, for which she's come to be known.
Of course, the topic of children came up, and the 33-year-old, jumped in eagerly with a response.
"Can I answer that?" she asked Albert before declaring enthusiastically: "I personally want to have children. I love children, and I simply can't wait to have a family of my own."
Her 53-year-old husband-to-be quickly chimed in by saying, "I agree!"
The religious wedding ceremony on July 2, will be a romantic open air affair, held under Monaco's famously blue skies, in the Palace courtyard, explained Albert.
It was chosen by the bride and groom for reasons of space. The courtyard holds 800 people, some 300 more than Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where his parents Princess Grace and Prince Rainier wed.
Guests will include family, foreign royals, their friends from the Olympic movement and also artists and musicians.
At this point in the chat, Charlene playfully chided her fiancé, telling him not to "give too much away".
But the happy couple have already revealed many details of the celebration. Such as their wish to share the festivities with "their fellow citizens", hosting a series of concerts and light shows, open to all locals and featuring Mediterranean ports and historic venues as the stunning backdrop.
It's also known that the statuesque former athlete will sashay down the aisle in a Giorgio Armani creation.
Their choice of transport on the day will be an eco-conscious Lexus.
It's a telling choice for Albert. In the interview he stresses that the principality is looking to the future and turning its back on a former reputation as a tax evaders' paradise and haven for financial irregularities. Under his leadership the jet-set retreat is repositioning itself as a champion for the environment and charitable causes.
And with his down-to-earth princess-bride by his side, the prince, has found a fantastic ambassadress to help promote his vision of a modern Monaco.


Thursday, May 26, 2011

Royalty vs Hollywood: Charlene Wittstock's obvious twin sister would be...


Charlize Theron. 

No, I am not saying this because Charlene and Charlize sound so similar. Neither because they are both South African. Neither because they are blonde. Neither because they were/are internationally successful and famous out of their countries. Neither because they are tall and lean. Neither because they have about the same age. Neither because they are a pure product of the South African melting pot. 
I am only comparing them because every time I see Charlene I think: "What is Charlize Theron doing with Prince Albert?"

photo source: found here from here

Queen Elizabeth hosted state dinner for President Barack Obama

It was quite a guest list. Day one of the Obamas' trip to Britain drew to a close with a state banquet at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen – featuring several Hollywood stars.
Among the 171 guests present were Kevin Spacey, Tom Hanks and director Tim Burton and his partner Helena Bonham Carter.
Virgin boss Richard Branson was there, as was Prime Minister David Cameron and his predecessors Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
A long day of public appointments had done nothing to dent the enthusiasm or energy of the high profile guests, who smiled warmly throughout.
Mr Obama paid tribute to the Queen's "lifetime of extraordinary service to her nation and to the world."
His wife Michelle looked stunning in a Tom Ford gown, accessorized with white gloves and a jewelled clutch.
During their time in the capital the US visitors are staying in the Belgian suite – the same one used by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their wedding night.



Happy Birthday, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands (and happy wedding anniversary too!)


Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands (née Petra Laurentien Brinkhorst; born 25 May 1966 in Leiden, Netherlands) is the wife of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, the third son of Queen Beatrix. She is part of that crew of crazy and bubbly daughters-in-law the Queen has. 
And it is not only her birthday she has been celebrating: 10 years ago, she married her Prince. The civil marriage was conducted by the mayor of The Hague, Wim Deetman, in the Oude Raadzaal, Javastraat, The Hague, on 17 May 2001. 

The religious wedding took place two days later on 19 May in the Grote of St Jacobskerk, with Reverend Carel ter Linden officiating. I remember watching this wedding on TV5 Monde. I didn't live in France at that time yet, but came a few months after. Time flies!

Was a bit hard to put those rings on. But so cute!


They now have three children: Countess Eloise (born June 8th, 2002), Count Claus-Casimir (born March 21st, 2004) and Countess Leonore (born June 3rd, 2006).


Happy Birthday, Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein!


Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria von und zu Liechtenstein), styled His Serene Highness (born 24 May 1995 in London), is the eldest child of Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, the Regent and Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, and his wife Princess Sophie of Bavaria, Duchess in Bavaria. He is second in the line of succession to the Liechtensteiner throne and third in line in the Jacobite line of succession to the thrones of England, Scotland, Ireland and France. He is the first Jacobite heir born in the British Isles since 1688.
The prince has three younger siblings: Princess Marie-Caroline (b. 1996), Prince Georg-Antonius (b. 1999) and Prince Nikolaus Sebastian (b. 2000).
Joseph Wenzel is named in honour of his ancestor Josef Wenzel, Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein from 1712 to 1718 and from 1748 to 1772. He bears the name Maximilian in honour of his maternal grandfather Prince Max, Duke in Bavaria, and his paternal uncle and godfather, Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein. In accordance with the custom of several Roman Catholic dynasties in Europe, including that of both his parents, he was given the name Maria in honour of the Virgin Mary.


Check out what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about!


Take a look at what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about this week


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Pomp and circumstance on Obamas' state visit

President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have been welcomed to Britain by senior royals.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall met the VIP guests at Winfield House, the residence of the US Ambassador, before escorting them to Buckingham Palace.
First lady Michelle looked colourful in a blue patterned 50s style swing dress and a pink shrug.
Meanwhile, Camilla was elegant in a cream outfit by Anna Valentine with a Philip Treacy hat.
At the Palace, they were warmly greeted by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
Once inside, they met the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, fresh from their honeymoon in the Seychelles, in the lavish 1844 room of the Palace.
The Obamas then stepped into the garden for a full ceremonial welcome, which included the playing of both the American and British National Anthem.
A 41-gun salute from the Tower of London was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company to mark the second state visit by a US President during Her Majesty's reign.


[United Kingdom] The hat that will help save the world - final instalment


As I reported previously, Princess Beatrice auctioned her "hat" for Unicef & Children in Crisis. The final and astonishing bid attained the sum of 93,000 €. Can you imagine? This is an incredible opportunity to turn all the attention it was having for a very good cause. Well done, principessa!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

[United Kingdom] Prince William & Catherine in private meeting with Barack & Michelle Obama

Even if it was a private meeting, it was a first for both Prince William and Catherine - in a nude Reiss dress - as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They had a 20-minute meeting with US President, Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle - in a Barbara Tfank dress, at the Buckingham Palace. They looked good, relaxed and tanned from their 10-day honeymoon. We had missed them, didn't we? Argh, admit it! ;)





(I am in love with Michelle's dress. I don't care for the pink bolero though).


Queen Silvia of Sweden speaking Portuguese

As Queen Silvia just visited Brazil, I asked in my last post how well could she speak Portuguese. If you want to hear it, just press the play to hear her talk about Childhood and her Foundation objectives. As a native speaker myself, I can tell that she speaks it pretty well ;)


Thanks, Arthur!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Guess who's back home from the Seychelles?



Britain's newly married Prince William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, have left the island nation of the Seychelles after a 10-day honeymoon, officials said Saturday.

"They left happy and clearly content with their stay," said the head of the Seychelles tourism board, Alain St Ange, who saw the couple leave Friday.

The island nation's foreign minister said the nation was proud to host the couple.

"The people of Seychelles are truly honoured that Prince William and his wife chose to return to Seychelles for this special holiday and we are proud to have been able to offer them a peaceful and private getaway," Jean-Paul Adam said in a statement released by the government.

The string of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean about 1,600 kilometres off the eastern coast of Kenya is known for its sandy beaches, clear waters and secluded hideaways.

"We hope their stay was everything they had hoped for and we look forward to welcoming them back to our shores again in the future," Adam said.

The Seychelles coast guard helped ensure the couple's privacy as they stayed on North Island. On their last day the royal couple invited the coast guard ashore to personally thank them for their efforts.

The couple married last month before heading off to the island chain. The royal family and the Seychelles government had refused to disclose their location, saying the two were entitled to privacy on their honeymoon.

"In a world of so much turmoil they bring a welcome and much needed breath of fresh air with their warmth and humility," said the Seychelles High Commissioner to Great Britain, Patrick Pillay, who was also present to see them off.



Prince Felipe of Asturias to attend UEFA Champions League 2011 Final in London


We all know and have noticed, over the year, the enthusiasm of our favorite royals when it comes to sports, like Soccer (Football), Tennis, Formula 1, Sailing, and, of course, the Olympics, among others. 

Next week, according to Casa Real, on May 28th, the Prince of Asturias will be back to London - he was there exactly a month ago for you know what - to attend the final of the Champions League. Why? Barcelona will be playing against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium. 

According to Hola, the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, will also attend and is hoping for a victory of the Barça team. Barcelona Football Club will return to Wembley for the final of this European competition 19 years after, in the very same stadium, it had won its first European Cup on 20 May 1992 against Sampdoria from Genoa.

Queen Elizabeth in Ireland - Day Four (and last)

Queen Elizabeth II and party arrive at the Rock of Cashel

At the nave of the Cathedral at St Patrick's Rock Cashel

Her Majesty was escorted by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin TD and Dr Eugene Keane of the OPW.

Queen Elizabeth II with the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Michael O Connell in the English Market in County Cork

Queen Elizabeth II meeting Fish Monger Pat O'Connell and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney

Queen Elizabeth II meets the public outside the English Market

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visiting Tyndall National Institute in Cork where they were given a Nanoelectronics demonstration by Prof. Brendan O' Neill

Queen Elizabeth II and Angie Benhaffaf (far right) with her twins Hassan & Hussein (held by Sinead O'Sullivan, HR Dept Tyndall) pictured at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork

From the Tyndall National Institute Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Cork airport where she was due to depart.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny escorted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II



Friday, May 20, 2011

[Norway] [VIDEO] This is how the Royal Family celebrated their national day this week!

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their children, Marius Borg Høiby, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus were present at the parade at the door of their home in Oslo.
May 17 is a very special day in the Norwegian Calendar. The whole country celebrates its Constitution by this national day. For the occasion, thousands of citizens hit the streets to watch the parade where students from many schools all over the Scandinavian country make an appearance in costumes with flags of the nation in their hands.
As usual and according to tradition, the Norwegian royal family presided over the celebrations . First, the Prince Haakon and his family greeted the people at the door of their residence, the palace of Skaugum (just outside Oslo), as a procession of students from more than 30 schools from the area were parading.
Dressed in the 'bunad' (traditional Norwegian costume) and stirring vigorously the flag, to the delight of those present, Crown Princess Mette-Marit had to pick up her son Prince Sverre, who was a little tired. A little later, the young Marius - very cute, by the way -  Mette-Marit's first son joined his family after his own school paraded in front of the palace.
The family dog, Milly Kakao, joined the celebration by encouraging even small Sverre, who decided he wanted to be next to your pet and not his mother's arms.

Those kids were really having fun!

Princess Ingrid Alexandra didn't stop holding her dad's hand for a second.
If he was my dad, I wouldn't either.

Marius joined his family after his school paraded.

And then the family dog, Milly Kakao, also joined the family.


After the parade, Haakon and Mette Marit of Norway, as well as their children, took off their costumes and joined the king Harald and Sonja at the Royal Palace balcony to greet the immense crowds that were waiting for them.


source of the photos 1 and 2