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One of Monaco’s most exciting events, the 36th International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo, opened Thursday at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille. With Princess Stephanie as its president, and most of her family in attendance, the Circus Festival got off to a joyous start.
 Click here for photos of the opening day With her two daughters, Pauline Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb, by her side, plus Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, Her Serene Highness inaugurated this year’s festival. The first competition show took place Thursday and will run until Tuesday. There will be circus performances, parades through Monaco, and a charity soccer match. After the competition, each winner will perform up until January 29th.
In the days leading up to the opening day, Princess Stephanie visited a circus exhibition at Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum. She also spoke to the newspaper, Nice Matin, about keeping the love of the circus in the family.
“I do not lie when I say that I am part of this large family in which my children and I can always count on. We have the same values, those people loyal and rights of self-transcendence to give dreams to people. The best quality of the circus, it’s true. It leaves its problems at home, it does not complain. In a sanitized world, computerized, self-centered, the circus continues with its values,and that is what saves us. And I would fight all my life to defend the true values,” Stephanie said.
New this year for the circus festival is the New Generation, which celebrates the youth involved in the entertainment. The Princess is the president of this event while her eldest daughter, Pauline, will be the president of the jury. It will be held in the first week of February.
“It was a bit of our vocation to support a festival for young artists who will be moved on the track alike,” Stephanie told Nice Matin. “It will be a real show, with a numberof animals performed by children, which is unique. A troupe of acrobats from Monaco and the school students trail of blue, our only regional school that does a great job, will also attend. Perhaps some of these artists will return one day to the “big” festival.”
Princess Stephanie first served on the jury of the International Circus Festival in 1974 when she just was nine years old.
Sources: Nice Matin, Monte Carlo Festival
 Click here to see more photos at Getty Images This past Friday saw Princess Stephanie of Monaco stop by the Hector Otto Foundation, which is a nursing home. She was there to give out Christmas presents to the elderly at the home.
It appears that Monaco’s Princely family are very generous during the Christmas season. Last week, Stephanie’s brother and sister-in-law, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, gave out gifts to the children of Monaco at the royal palace.
How lovely to have such a hands on family!
Source: Pure People
December 1st marks World AIDS Day and those dedicated to fighting the disease were on hand to spread awareness or raise money for those inflicted.
 Click here for more Princess Stephanie photos Monaco’s Princess Stephanie was one of them. All week, she has been preparing for World AIDS Day. On Monday, she met with Monaco’s Harley motor club to deploy three counterpanes to pay tribute to people who died from AIDS. The counterpanes were sent to the Names Project AIDS Memorial quilt in the United States.
For Thursday evening, Together with her brother, Prince Albert II, and sister-in-law, Princess Charlene, Stephanie was present for the annual auction at the Hotel Meridien Beach Plaza which raises funds for her charity, Fight AIDS Monaco.
Going under the hammer at the auction was such artwork as a nude sketch by Robert Redford, a large photo of Albert and Charlene from their July wedding day, and even a bust of the Princess herself made by Benatov. That one went for about €100,000.
The previous night saw the same royal trio go to the Sporting Club of Monaco to collect funds from the principality’s casinos. Initiated by Prince Albert last year, the point is to get a percentage of several slot machines from the Casino Café de Paris and Sun Casino Jackpots to go to several of Monaco’s charity associations. Chances are, some of that money went Princess Stephanie’s Fight AIDS Monaco.
“I am a dynamic woman,” Stephanie told Point de Vue recently. “I am living her day to the fullest, and still has many things to live. That’s it! ”
Indeed she does!
Source: Pure People, Getty Images, Le Figaro
This week an important one for the Principality of Monaco as its citizens get ready for National Day Saturday. Since Tuesday, the people and its princely family have been preparing and taking part in events leading up to its major holiday.
 Click here for more photos from Thursday On Tuesday, Prince Albert II presented medals and distinctions at the royal palace, followed by a reception.
The next day, there were more medals given out, this time for the Princess Grace hospital and those in public service.
For Thursday, Prince Albert and his wife, Princess Charlene, and younger sister, Princess Stephanie, took part in the annual gift giving to the country’s elderly at the Red Cross in Monte Carlo. This is always a great time for senior citizens to see their royals close up and have a chat with them.
Later, His Serene Highness gave out the Medals for Physical Education and Medals of the Ministry of Sport. Towards the evening, in the Throne Room, there was the Presentation of the Orders of St Charles and Grimaldi.
For Friday, Prince Albert will give out more medals, plus give two recipients the La Légion d’Honneur. That will be followed by a diplomatic corps reception and a diplomatic dinner at the Hermitage Hotel.
Also at nightfall, there will be a fireworks display and a bonfire on the Avenue de la Porte Neuve and on the Ramparts.
Then comes the big celebration on Saturday!
Source: City Out Monaco
 Click here for more images at Daylife.com! In their first appearance in Monaco since their July nuptials, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were all smiles and walked hand in hand into the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo for the 63rd annual Red Cross Ball – a major event for the principality.
Behind the couple were Albert’s two sisters: Princess Stephanie and Princess Caroline, who made her first appearance at the Ball since 2008. There is no word on what made her turn up for this year’s gala. Perhaps to show solidarity with her new sister-in-law.
Some fashion reporters noted Charlene’s hair was reminiscent of the late Princess Grace. Either way, the new Princess looked stunning in her dark fuschia strapless gown designed by Swiss designer Akris.
800 Monegasque and international guests paid 1000 eurors to be at the Ball. Entertainment was done by Joe Cocker.
Monaco resident Shirley Bassey, known for singing theme songs to James Bond films, was responsible for organizing the evening and a raffle with lots of prestige. The annual gala sees the Monegasque Red Cross collect about 400,000 euros.
Source: Le Parisien
 Click here to read the Pure People article in French While her brother and new sister-in-law are on their honeymoon, Princess Stephanie of Monaco had to attend the Fight AIDS Monaco Summer Gala on Wednesday alone.
That didn’t seem to bother her at all. The Princess treated this year’s gala like any other, as she met with those who work to battle the disease in the tiny principality during the event, held at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club. She also met with the pop group Supertramp who were performing that night.
Before the group did their concert, Stephanie helped raffle off tickets for the guests to win prestigious prizes worth several thousand euros.
Besides raising money for Fight AIDS Monaco, which Princess Stephanie is president of, the annual gala also raises funds for the Life House, a home for HIV sufferers which located just outside of Monaco.
Sources: Svensk Damtidning, Pure People
It was a sunny day in Monaco Thursday, but the mood was somber as the tiny principality and its ruling family laid to rest the sister of the late Prince Rainier III. Princess Antoinette died last Friday at the age of 90 after many years of ill health.
 REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool At the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate of Monaco, the Grimaldi family – Prince Albert II, his fiancée Charlene Wittstock, Princess Caroline and all four of her children, and Princess Stephanie – gathered for the funeral mass, conducted by Monsignor Bernard Barsi.
 REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool Dressed in black, and the women wearing black lace scarves over their heads, the family sang the hymns, said the prayers and listened to the moving eulogy done by Princess Antoinette’s granddaughter, Melanie de Massy.
 LIONEL CIRONNEAU/AFP/Getty Images Afterward, the coffin carrying the body of the late Princess was carried out of the Cathedral and placed in the Peace Chapel, where Antoinette was laid to rest.
Prince Albert II looked visibly upset and relied on Charlene for strength. Princess Caroline displayed a look of grief all too familiar to watchers of the Monegasque royal family.
The Prince has declared Monaco in a state of mourning until April 1st.
Sources: Pure People, Hello!
Last night, the 35th International Circus Festival began in Monte Carlo, Monaco with the Monegasque royals attending the opening ceremony. Prince Albert II, Princess Stephanie – who is patron of the festival – and her daughter, Pauline Ducruet arrived under the big top to watch the beginning of the ten day festival, which has circus groups from all over the world.
 Gaetan Luci/Monaco Palace via Getty Images Stephanie spent the past week preparing for this annual event, which was started by her father, the late Prince Rainier, in 1974 because of the family’s deep love of the circus.
“I have the eye of a child who grew up in the circus,” the Princess told Nice Matin. “The clowns always moved me so much. But now I also see the numbers with my professional eye. We have a quality to meet in Monaco. The public, accustomed for 35 years in Monaco has become a connoisseur and we have no room for error.”
Stephanie also talked about circus troops all over the world.
“There are a lot of circus schools [in Russia] and in this country, there is a real potential,” she said. “Many directors, choreographers working in this country and present original numbers with traditional disciplines. That said, China also, the practice of the circus is very strong. In Shanghai, I met with circus schools some young people working with the single goal to go the Festival of Monaco. It is unfortunate that in France, there is no culture. Perhaps due to a lack of circus schools.”
 VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images Princess Stephanie also defended the circus’ use of animals, which many animal rights group criticize.
“I find the debate on animals ridiculous. Zoos and circuses do much for the preservation of endangered species. The circus animals are treated as artists in their own right.”
Earlier in the week, Stephanie spent time with the American troop, checking out its elephants and even climbing on top of one.
The International Circus Festival will last until January 30th. The winner will get an award shaped like a clown’s face.
Sources: Nice Matin
Monaco’s Princess Stephanie has been active in fighting AIDS in her principality for several years now. As president of Fight AIDS Monaco, it is her responsibility to take care of HIV-positive patients there and around the world. 
On Sunday, she gave an interview in regards to a charity soccer tournament later this month to Monaco’s radio show Jungle Fight’s along with Pascal Olmeta.
Here are some of what the Princess said:
Jungle Fight: An event will bring together your two organizations: the Columbus Show Beach Soccer (10 and 11 December), what do you expect?
Princess Stephanie: This event is a very good thing. It will raise awareness of our respective causes. They will both have fun and make a donation. I expect that beyond generosity, there is an exchange. It also shows the solidarity associations. Each is open to fight each other.
Pascal Olmeta: People may attend as a family to a great show. This event proves that we’re all in the same direction. Only the mobilization and information can make a difference.
Jungle Fight: At the dawn of a new decade, what message would you like to wear through your associations?
Princess Stephanie: Try to listen to the news, not to remain ignorant because it leads to discrimination. My real battle I waged against is discrimination against AIDS patients.
Pascal Olmeta: Try to generate as many smiles on the lips of the sick children and their families. A sick child never stops smiling, he never complains. This permanent smile is his strength.
Jungle Fight: There have been advances in research, can it be any hope?
Princess Stephanie: You can not really talk about hope. Of course, there is advances, but nothing is resolved. AIDS contaminates every three seconds. We must focus on screening. It also does not change the fact that HIV-positive are ostracized from society. The associations are certain things that move, should governments get involved.
Jungle Fight: The smile is there the greatest victory in the 10 and 11 December?
Princess Stephanie: Everyone should have a good time but there must be a realization. AIDS is not inevitable. It is important for governments to support their fellow patients. Would that this level of prevention. Why not redo operations “condoms to a euro?
This Wednesday, as part of World AIDS Day, Stephanie auctioned off a piece of artwork to raise money for her charity. She was joined by future sister-in-law, Charlene Wittstock.
Source: Monaco Maville
The fiancée of Monaco’s Prince Albert II made her National Day debut this Friday. Although Charlene Wittstock has been present for many of the principality’s major social events over the past years, this was her first time taking part in its most important holiday.
 REUTERS/Valery Hache/Pool Wearing a large hat and a beige suit, Charlene looked regal as she attended mass in the morning at Notre Dame Immaculee. She sat with the Monegasque royals – Princess Caroline, Albert and Princess Stephanie – although not next her fiancé. Likely next year she will, when she is officially Princess Charlene.
After the service, the royal family, including Princess Caroline’s four children, gathered in front of the palace for the Award Ceremony for badges of rank and medals for employees.
Afterward, came the balcony scene where everyone waved to the Monegasque citizens as a military parade went by.
Monaco’s National Day celebrations takes place over the course of three days. On Wednesday, Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie did their annual duty of giving presents and food to their country’s senior citizens at the Red Cross Headquarters.
Judging from today’s photos, Charlene seems very much accepted by the House of Grimaldi.
In an interview published by Le Figaro, Prince Albert spoke of his future bride’s plans for humanitarian work.
“Charlene has a very strong personality and I have no doubt of her desire to get involved in things alongside me,” he said.
“She is already committed to humanitarian causes such as the Born Free Foundation, the Special Olympics and the Nelson Mandela Foundation and wants to intensify her involvement in lots of other areas,” he said.
The couple will marry in early July 2011.
Their wedding was billed as the royal event of next year until Prince William and Catherine Middleton announced their plans to marry also in 2011.
To see more pictures of the National Day events, click here.
Source: AFP
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