When I really think about it, it must be a lot of fun to live in Monaco. Is that weird? It’s a tiny little principality with a benevolent dictator who believes in stuff like “more gambling” and “no income tax” and “free cable for everyone.” Considering how Americans have screwed the pooch on our democracy, I find myself more and more charmed by the Monaco way of life. I was reminded of that when I was looking through these photos of Monaco’s National Day (Saturday). National Day celebrates Prince Rainier’s ascension to the throne. Prince Albert could have and should have changed the date to mark his own throne-date, but he decided to keep November 19th as the National Day, and since it fell on a weekend this year, they organized two full days of fun festivities.
Monegasques also got to see Prince Albert’s twins, who haven’t been seen in months. Reportedly, Charlene and the twins (Gabriella and Jacques) spend a lot of time away from Monaco, although I will say this… Charlene and Albert’s marriage has seemed a lot stronger since she had the babies. Gabriella and Jacques turn two years old in a few weeks, and it’s nice to see them making another balcony appearance. Apparently, everyone was talking about how Gabriella’s hair has changed color – she used to be white-blonde but now she’s more of a gingery strawberry-blonde.
Superficial notes: I really dislike Charlene’s hat. But I love that Jacques is getting into the balcony scene. He seems to be clapping along, or perhaps clapping for Monaco in general. These kids are so cute.
Photos courtesy of PPE/Nieboer/News Pictures/WENN.com.
Cute babies! Let’s take a group trip to Monaco! Yay! Drinks on me! 😉
I’m in!🛳
Count me in too, only the best Champers when one is in Monaco. Have spent some time in Monte Carlo, it is a very interesting city, and full of stark extremes. Fabulous wealth, and abject poverty for those who commute from France for service jobs. Have always had a soft spot for the Grimaldis though, they truly have no F’s to give.
I was in Monaco in 2005 the day after the Prince died so eveeeryyything was closed and the city was in mourning. It looked lovely though.
Fun fact: on that same trip, I visited the Vatican the day the Pope died and it was packed full of reporters and pilgrims.
Many were pleased we did not visit the UK on that same trip.
Do you have any plans on visiting Washington DC?
Lovely this time of year from what I understand. You could visit so many neat places. Your travels sound interesting to say the least lol
Jacques looks so much like his grandfather!
Thanks Kaiser. Needed cute today!
What a change from the last time we saw them!
I like the hat, and the kids are adorable.
Me too. It reminds me of a vintage hat from the Fifties that Princess Grace might have worn. Very summery. The kids are adorable. To me, Jacques looks like Andreas. Albert looks like he’s about the explode out of that jacket.
I agree. Tres chic!
The hat is Fab. Much better than anything Duchess Kate has worn in recent memory. She should take notes.
I like it too – with the red lip, it looks rather elegant I think. Glad she seems happy these days and the kids are cuties.
Whomever affords living in Monaco, should live in Monaco. No questions, no second thoughts. If you can afford it, go now!
IKR? I spent one afternoon in Monaco while staying at a pension in Nice, and I gotta say, I was afraid to touch or buy anything, even food, on my meager budget. I think I played one slot. But if you’ve got the means to move to Monaco, more power to you!
I actually love that hat! Although the contrast between her pale skin, red lips, severe accessories and expression and black outfit lend a Cruella de Vil note to the balcony scene.
+1 I love that hat!
Yes, I LOVE that hat! It is perfection. I hope to see her wearing more retro hats like this, she can pull it off.
And I love her red nail polish that matches. Why don’t other princesses wear colored nail polish?
I like the hat. It says: “I’m going all out with this hat!”
I agree, like the hat. And I like her look overall lately — the short hair and strong lip works for her.
“Reportedly, Charlene and the twins (Gabriella and Jacques) spend a lot of time away from Monaco”.
They stayed in a house 20 minutes away in France while the nursery and nanny apartments were being redone. Albert would go be with them after the work day. It isn’t like she took them away to SA for months.
I thought it was just due to renovations as well. They seem like a close family to me.
Jacques looks like Charlene. Those big blond curls are gorgeous. Gabriella has more of a look of Albert.
He does look a lot like Charlene and his uncle, Gareth Wittstock.
I was just thinking the same thing.
She’s actually bringing to mind an echo of Grace-very retro look and all. Wonder if that was on purpose. The kids are adorable though, and look very happy.
That’s exactly what I thought.
The second part of Albert’s enthronement started on Nov 19-so I get not moving it to July when he ‘officially’ took over.
Plus if the holiday has been the same since Rainer ruled in the 50’s I could see not wanting to change it.
I suspect he chose that date for his enthronement specifically, to keep continuity.
Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands ascended on Queen’s Day, April 30th. They subsequently renamed it King’s Day and moved it to his birthday, April 27th. Easy enough change for them because it was only three days difference.
Lux’s national day is June 23, which makes no sense. Grand Duchess Charlotte’s birthday was January 23. That was too cold for a celebration, so they moved it to June 23. They didn’t bother moving it to January 5th, the birthday of her successor. It was legally set at June 23 decades ago, no matter when the monarch was born.
Lovely babies. Nice to see Charlene looking much happier these days.
The man I work for has a house in Monaco. He lives in Paris most of the time but they vacation there in the summer. He’s worth 350€ million so I guess if you have the means do it. My boyfriend applied to be transferred there. He’s a pompier (firefighter). As much as I love him I don’t think I’ll trade Paris for Monaco. I hate being around the uber rich. I already have a hard time controlling my eye rolls around snotty Parisians.
Jacques’s got his mom’s eyes!
They are very cute babies, but babies are very good at being cute, too.
Monaco is very pretty; I got to see it for the first time about a year ago. I don’t think they have much of an economy beyond “serve up decadence to very rich people”, which could be a dicey way of life, but it did look like a lovely place to live.
LOVE the hat!
Beautiful family and love Charlene’s chic style BUT I will never get over the racist undertones of Alberts decision making. #sorrynotsorry
Why not be equally angry at his sexism? His first daughter is older than his first son, but Jazmin isn’t his heir either. Even now, Jacques is the heir not Gabriella, when Gabriella is his first-born “legitimate” child.
I love her style in this pic. Would wear if I was a princess or Lisa Vanderpumps.
Love the hat. She probably picked it because it can hide her sad eyes… seriously… she just looks so miserable and medicated most of the time.
I have been a few times. It is very small and probably not that much to do if you don’t have a yacht but it’s very beautiful. They have a cool aquarium.
Also present at the ceremony were Andrea, Tatiana and their 2 kids. The kids are adorable. Little India stuck her tongue out. Pierre was there with Beatrice who looks very pregnant. Charlotte was there with Raphael but no partner. What happened to that actor she was with?
They broke up in June 2015. Not publicly confirmed until he confirmed it spring of 2016. She was photographed with a new boyfriend in Nov 2015.