Monagesque Royals Mark National Day

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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.

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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