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Monagesque Royals Mark National Day

Alain Benainous-Pool/Getty Images Europe

Alain Benainous-Pool/Getty Images Europe

November 19th is Monaco’s National Day, and its royals were out in full force to celebrate one of the principality’s biggest events.

Prince Albert II, Princess Stephanie, Princess Caroline and her three eldest children first attended a thanksgiving mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. The Gospel of Luke was read and the Bishop of Monaco discussed what occurred in the country over the past year – such as the economy. The Bishop also praised Prince Albert, Monaco’s sovereign ruler.

Afterwards, it was to the balcony of the Palace. As a military parade marched by, Albert and his sisters waved to the citizens below. Joining them was Princess Caroline’s youngest, Princess Alexandra of Hannover. The 10 year-old was introduced to the crowds on this very balcony a decade earlier, and Monaco watched her grow up. Also on the balcony were the Casiraghi siblings – Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre. Those are Caroline’s children with her late husband, Stefano Casiraghi.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Noticably absent from this year’s National Day celebrations was Caroline’s current husband, Prince Ernst of Hannover. She and Ernst have not been seen together in public since June. This has sparked rumors that the two are parting ways. Those rumors increased in September when Caroline relocated back to Monaco and enrolled Alexandra in a local school, while Ernst remained at his home outside of Paris.

The royal palace denied that Caroline and Ernst are separating around this time. However, with the Prince not being present for many of Monaco’s most important events, speculations over the state of his marriage to Caroline is only intensify.

To see more pictures of Monaco’s National Day, click here

It’s a Boy for the Duke & Duchess of Vendome!

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images/FILE

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images/FILE

The Duke and Duchess of Vendome – Prince Jean & Princess Philomena – welcomed into the world today a baby boy!

The little one is named Gaston, a name traditionally used by the House of Orleans. It is not known yet how much he weighs or how long he is.

Prince Gaston is the eighth grandchild of the Count of Paris, who is the head of the deposed French royal family. Since the little boy’s father is the heir, that makes Gaston a future heir to the House of Orleans.

The son’s parents married earlier this year – civilly in March, and religiously in May. This is their first child together.