[Monaco] First National Day for Charlene as a Princess

It was arguably the biggest event since her wedding in July of this year. But Princess Charlene of Monaco was the epitome of cool as she celebrated her nation's first National Day in an official capacity.

The blonde South African has accompanied Prince Albert to the celebrations in previous years, but this was her first appearance as a princess.

And, despite having to recently deny runaway bride reports on a US chat show, Albert and Charlene looked blissfully happy as they led the festivities.

The morning ceremonies saw the pair take to the balcony in Monaco Palace Square.

Elegant in beige, Charlene smiled and waved to the crowds in the square below as Albert stood proudly by her side.

The royals looked close as they exchanged intimate smiles and entwined hands in a show of unity.

It was a family affair as Albert's sisters - Princess Stephanie and Caroline – strolled alongside their new sister-in-law during the parade.

Caroline's daughters, Charlotte Casiraghi and Alexandra were also in attendance.

The patriotic party culminated in a concert at the Grimaldi forum where Charlene opted for muted glamour in a brown, floor length gown and sleek up-do.

Then the princess was presented a bouquet of flowers by children dressed as Pierrots.

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[Monaco] Palace denies Charlene Wittstock tried to flee as preparations for royal wedding continue

"Completely, completely crazy": This is how the Monaco royal palace has described rumours that Charlene Wittstock tried to flee back to South Africa last week.

French magazine L'Express is claiming that Prince Albert's fiancée was stopped by police at Nice airport as she tried to board a flight home.

She was upset, said the publication, "after learning that Albert had not been leading the exemplary life she thought".

An official statement from the couple – pictured above at an equestrian event at the weekend with Charlotte Casiraghi – said: "The Prince’s Palace firmly denies the allegations."

"These rumours, spread a few days before the wedding ceremonies... have only one purpose – to seriously damage the sovereign’s image and by consequence that of Miss Wittstock and to cause serious prejudice to a happy event." The highly-anticipated nuptials are still firmly on, and last minute preparations are in full swing.

Already, 200,000 tourists have descended on the principality for the wedding celebrations, which are estimated to be costing £45million.

The streets have already been turned into a sea of red and white – with Monaco flags and bunting adorned with the words 'Mariage Princier Monaco Juillet 2011'.

Shops in the centre of town have filled their displays with official wedding souvenirs, and many have plans to stay open well outside their usual opening hours to make the most of the extra number of visitors.

Over 12,000 flowers have been shipped in to decorate monuments, and the various venues where the royal couple will be celebrating over the weekend.

The palace has also taken delivery of the midnight blue sedan Lexus the couple will use to travel from their ceremony at the royal palace to the Sainte-Devote Church.,And more guests have confirmed they'll be present when the couple say "oui, je veux".

Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Princess Mary of Denmark will be there, as will Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit of Norway.

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[Monaco] Royal family together to close Global Champions Tour in Monte-Carlo

Beatrice Borromeo (Pierre Casiraghi's girlfriend), Andrea Casiraghi, Charlotte Casiraghi and her boyfriend, Alex Dellal

Charlotte talking to her brother Pierre and Beatrice

Princess Caroline and her brother, Prince Albert joined in the closing event. I love the Princess skirt and shoes!

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How old are the European Hereditary & Crown Princes and Crown Princesses?

Belgium
Princess Mathilde is 38. Her husband, the Duke of Brabant, turned 51 last month.

Denmark

Crown Prince Frederik will turn 43 at the end of the month. His wife Princess Mary is 39.

Liechtenstein
Alois, the Hereditary Prince, is 42. His wife Sophie, the former Duchess of Bavaria, is 43.

Luxembourg

Guillaume, the Hereditary Grand Duke (HGD) is 29. And single.

Monaco
Well... complicated situation, but as PA2 still has no legitimate children, his older sister, Caroline of Monaco, Princess of Hanover, is the Hereditary Princess. She is 54. And now that I am thinking about it, the next regent of Monaco will be really young, if we consider Charlene gets pregnant in the 3 years. Okay, let's not plan ahead.

The Netherlands

This post is a bit dedicated to her, as tomorrow, Princess Maxima is turning 40. Her husband, the Prince of Orange, just turned 44.

Norway
Both Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit, born a month apart, are 37. What a synchrony those two!

United Kingdom

The Duchess of Cornwall is 63. Her husband, the Prince of Wales is 62.

Spain
Doña Letizia is 38. Her husband, the Prince of Asturias, is 43.

Sweden

Our unique born-Crown Princess is 33. Prince Daniel is 37.

If we rank them by age, the girls would be:
Victoria, 33
Mette-Marit, 37
Mathilde, 38
Letizia, 38
Mary, 39
Maxima, 40
Sophie, 43
Caroline, 54
Camilla, 63


The boys would be:
Guillaume, 29
Daniel, 37
Haakon, 37
Alois, 42
Frederik, 43
Felipe, 43
Willem-Alexander, 44
Philippe, 51
Charles, 62

[Monaco] Princess Caroline and daughter, Princess Alexandra, attend the Chanel Collection Croisiere Show 2011/2012

I am clearly in a Caroline de Monaco stretch here: just two days after attending the 44th Concours International de Bouquets, the Princess made an appearance at the Chanel Collection Croisiere Show 2011-12 at the Hotel du Cap in Cap d'Antibes, France. Several celebrities attended - Vanessa Paradis, Alexa Chung - but Blake Lively was the one to seem to get the Princesses' biggest attention. They chatted, had photos taken together and even exchanged numbers. A pure Royalty meets Hollywood moment.

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[Monaco] Princess Caroline of Hanover, Princess of Monaco, attends the 44th Concours International de Bouquets

Princess Caroline of Hanover, the Hereditary Princess of Monaco attended the 44th edition of an international flower/bouquet competition (mere translation), created by her mother, Princess Grace, in 1968. Caroline took over as a patron since 1982 and has attended ever since. She was wearing what we can call a flowery dress (I bet it is a Lanvin, by the style) and sky high Louboutin red shoes.

source of the photos: 1 & 2