The Monaco Princes and Princesses

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene, Princess of Monaco, at an event for the Princesse Charlène Foundation in 2013.

Charlene and Albert at a Monégasque Red Cross gala in 2013.

Charlene and Albert at a Monégasque Red Cross gala in 2013.

Charlene and Albert presenting their newborn twin sons, Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès, and Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco, in late 2014 or early 2015.

Charlene, Princess of Monaco.

HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover, older sister of Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, youngest child of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and his consort, Princess Grace.

Princess Caroline, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert at a ribbon cutting ceremony.

HSH Prince Albert and Charlène Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer from South Africa.

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert at a Monaco Against Autism gala.

The New Monégasque Twins

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert with their new twins, pictured on December 24, 2014.

His Highness Prince Albert is the son of Prince Rainier III, Louis Henri-Maxence-Bertrand (31st May 1923 - 6th April 2005) and Princess Grace, née Kelly (Philadelphia, United States, 12th November 1929 - Monaco, 14th September 1982). 

H.S.H. Prince Albert II succeeded his father, Prince Rainier III who died on 6h April 2005.

On 12th July 2005, at the end of the period of official mourning, the Prince's accession to the throne was celebrated.  Since 1984, H.S.H. Prince Albert had assisted his father in conducting the affairs of State.

Charlene Lynette Wittstock was born on 25th January 1978 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Africa. When she was aged 12, her family emigrated to South Africa.

Before marrying Prince Albert, she was a successful Olympic swimmer.

Miss Wittstock was married to the Prince in a civil ceremony on 1st July 2011 in the Throne Room at the Palace of Monaco. The religious ceremony took place on 2nd July 2011 in the Cour d'Honneur of the Palace of Monaco. She bears the title "HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco" along with all the historical titles vested to the Prince, in the feminine.

Other royal twins to note: Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine of Denmark, born January 8, 2011; and Prince Alexander and Prince Philip of Yugoslavia, born 15 January 1982.

Some Belgian Royals!

 Somehow, I've not posted too often about the Belgian royals, not for any particular reason, it just seems that they don't appear as often in the news or whatever. But now that King Albert II has stepped down, Mathilde and Philippe are now the reigning monarchs! Yay for Queen Mathilde, what a beautiful name! Here are some not-so-recent pics of our lovely Belgian royals:

Crown Princess Mathilde and Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium at the abdication of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

Queen Paola of Belgium and King Albert II.

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde with their two first born children.

Mathilde and Philippe at the swearing in of Queen Maxim and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

King Albert II of Belgium set to Abdicate!

You know what this means? Queen Mathilde! And King Philippe, I guess, but he's not nearly as attractive as Mathilde. Here's the full story from the BBC News site:

Belgian state TV reported that the 79-year-old monarch would make an announcement on all of the major networks at 17:00 BST.

His son, Crown Prince Philippe, 53, is next in line to the throne.

During Belgium's political deadlock in 2010-11, the king - who is due to mark 20 years on the throne next month - took on the role of mediator.

Media reports say he will announce his abdication to take effect on Belgium's national day on 21 July.
King Albert met the Belgian government's cabinet earlier on Wednesday to inform them of his decision, Belgian state TV reported.

The palace said in a statement: "The core council of ministers has convened in the presence of the king. The king will speak to the people at 1800 (1600 GMT) via a radio and television address."
Following the king's announcement, Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo will address the nation.
King Albert was sworn in as the sixth king of the Belgians on 9 August 1993, following the death of his brother, King Baudouin aged 62.

Like other European monarchies, the Belgian monarch has no executive powers and plays a largely ceremonial role. King Albert's abdication would come only three months after Queen Beatrix of the neighbouring Netherlands vacated the Dutch throne in favour of her son Willem-Alexander.

Princesses in Fancy Dresses

Crown Princess Marie-Chantal and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece.

Crown Prince Felipe and Crown Princess Letizia of Spain.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark with Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium.

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.

Crown Princess Maxima and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

Maxima and Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands with Prince Joachim of Denmark.

Princess Martha Louise and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway wearing her diamond daisy tiara.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden with her husband, Prince Daniel.

Victoria and Daniel of Sweden.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden with Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Belgium.

Princess Claire and Prince Laurent of Belgium.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden in a simple but striking turquoise dress.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden in a mermaid-esque green chiffon dress.

Princess Marie of Denmark with Prince Daniel of Sweden.

Princes Martha Louise of Norway with husband, Ari Behn.

Princess Martha Louise is an amazing, silver-sequin covered dress.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway in a pink, ruffly, fairy princess dress.

Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan in a black and white dress.

The Stylish Monegasque Princesses

I think it is fair to say that the Monegasque princes and princesses have by far the most money and wealth than any of the other European monarchies. The Arab princes are probably the only other royals that outrank them in net worth. 

Albert and Charlene, the Prince and Princess of Monaco, on their wedding day.

Charlotte Casiraghi, though not technically a princess, still wears stylish dresses and occasional tiaras.

Charlotte is the daughter of Princess Caroline of Hanover, and she competes professionally in horse riding.

Charlotte Casiraghi on the cover of Vogue magazine. She has recently done a campaign for Gucci.

Charlotte's features are absolutely perfect and beautiful.

Albert and Charlene at Oktoberfest in Germany.

Charlene, who was born in 1978, is 20 years Albert's junior.

Princess Caroline of Hanover, daughter of Grace Kelly, is stylish as always in a sparkling dress, diamond fringe necklace, and diamond and pearl drop tiara.

Caroline and sister, Stephanie, look remarkably alike. Pictured here is Caroline.

The three siblings together at a function.

Princess Charlene at a dog show, greeting one of the contestants.

Charlene and Albert enjoying their steins of beer.