05 December 2008

Fête Nationale - Prince Albert II


Here is Monaco's much-loved, Prince Albert waving at the crowds. This photograph was taken by my friend, Maggie Calkins, a professional photographer. She has a Canon EOS 40D.

I didn't know, at the time - (as Maggie did) - that the crowd rush forward and stand below the balcony - see yesterday's photograph. I'd stayed on the Press Stand. None of my zoomed shots are sharp enough. I ran forward too late and the one below is all I got. Taken in a rush and as you see, not remotely of the quality of Maggie's. You see Prince Albert with Princess Stephanie on the right. In the background, their nephew, Pierre Casiraghi, the son of Princess Caroline.

For anyone who doesn't remember, Albert, Caroline and Stephanie are the children of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace (formerly Grace Kelly, the American actress).

Tomorrow - more of Maggie's photographs of the Prince and his family. Thankyou, Maggie!


17 comments:

  1. I'm reminded of his father! As a child I read up quite a lot on him and also on Princess Grace Kelly!

    Thanks for sharing the images!

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  2. Thank you for sharing the dazzling pageantry of Monaco. It is certainly a dimension to the civic culture that distinguishes Europe from the western hemisphere.

    The one time I was in Monaco we saw the changing of the guard in front of the royal palace and went into the royal museum there, but as I understand it the remainder of the palace is open for tours only in the summer.

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  3. Of course we all remember, both the Mother and their handsome Father. A much loved family. And Albert as handsome as ever.
    The Royal Family. MB

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  4. Your picture is very good for an amateur and almost as good as your friend's picture. Have a great weekend.

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  5. This is one of the favs of that day. It seems PA is certainly handsome, indeed!! It seems his newphews bears a great deal resemblence to PA in many ways. Perhaps, the playful smile that makes one wonder whaat he's thinking of at those very moments!!! hee!

    This pics turned our great. it almost makes one want to dig thru the bottom of the closets bottomless pit to break out those old 35mm camera's we all used to love sooo much. Considering the small fortune most of us spent on those camera's one would be inclined to 'maybe" want to use them once-in-a-while???

    Don't worry, it will pass once you try to dig thru the bottomless pit section of the closets (everyone does have one don't they hee) to look for the camera's.

    Personnally, as limited as the digital camera's are---we must confess we are tech junkies so parting with the digital is simply too heartbreaking.

    The thought of being away from the computer for that long a period of time brings most of us tech junkies 'hives?!!!

    Don't worry whatever camera's were used for this were wonderful!!!

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  6. Having not kept up with the Royal Family - it was great to see photos.

    Prince A still is not married???

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  7. Sara, a lot of people thought he might use this day to announce his marriage to his south African girlfriend but it didn't happen on this occasion.

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  8. Jilly, I like your photo, it is such a natural shot, and shows that he doesn't have one side for the public and another when not so aware of the cameras. My, but he is handsome!

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  9. Have been following your Daily photo Blog since several months before a visit to Monaco last month. On our tour,we arrived at the Palace at night. What a beautiful sight and very different feeling from your daytime views. I think Americans have a special soft spot for the children of Prince Ranier & Princess Grace. They are half American, after all. I am startled to see, in these photos, an enigmatic "Grace Kelly" smile break over the handsome Prince's face. Remarkable how much he resembles his mother.

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  10. Is that nephew in line for, what, the Principality, over his mother and aunt?

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  11. Oh, I also want to say that both pictures are perfectly clear and expressive! You have nothing to apologize for, certainly!

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  12. Great shots! They really are. The 40D is what I'd like. Did you get one of Princess Caroline too? I thought Princess Grace was just lovely and was so sad when she died.

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  13. This image really jumps out on the portal. Military regalia seems ironic in Monaco. The Prince looks like a genial, charming Juan Peron on the balcony of the palace.

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  14. Uselaine, No, his brother, Andrea, is in line for the throne - unless Albert marries and has children, of course.

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  15. Oh the royal watcher in me just jumped out. Caroline's daughter looks so much like her and the young princess with the red stockings adorable pose. thanks to you and Maggie for this visual treat today. Albert is starting to resemble Poppa don't you think?
    V

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  16. Princess caroline always looks like the tragedies of her life are truly etched on her face. A lovely shot.

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  17. sorry, Stephanie - but wow she looks so much like caroline!

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