Monaco’s Royal Family hosted the principality’s official Christmas ceremony at the Royal Palace in Monaco today.

Prince Albert II, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie (L) played Santa’s elves to a group of Monagesque children, giving presents to all the kids who had attended. You might have to look closely at the photo above to see Santa Claus behind Prince Albert and Princess Caroline.
Princess Caroline’s daughter, Alexandra of Hanover, was also at the ceremony and helped with the gift-giving. Isn’t she cute in her slightly-too-big Santa hat? Photos in the gallery below!
images via Zuma Press

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As the temperatures drop, let’s look to the royals to see how they rock cold weather accessories. In this edition, we’ll feature scarves as they were worn recently by Andrea Casiraghi of Monaco and by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
Today, Princess Mary attended the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the ‘Rights of the Child’ conference. She paired a loosely-knotted black scarf with her dark blue textured coat.
 

Princess Caroline of Monaco and her children, Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre Casiraghi  were in Fino Mornasco, Italy on October 29, 2009, to attend the funeral of Laura Sabatini Casiraghi.

Laura was the wife of Daniele Casiraghi, who is the younger brother of Stefano, Princess Caroline’s late second husband and the father of the Casiraghi trio. Laura was thus an aunt to Charlotte, Andrea and Pierre. She was also godmother to Pierre.

Prince Albert wasn’t the only Monaguesque royal who enjoyed the opening day of the Tour de France. His nephews Andrea and Pierre Casiraghi joined in the festivities as well.

Andrea Casiraghi talking business on his cellphone
The Casiraghi brothers were quite a contrast last weekend. Andrea was business-like in a suit, while Pierre appeared super casual in a T-shirt, shorts and loafers.

Monaco’s Prince Albert II and his niece Charlotte Casiraghi were interviewed by Stade2 after the recent International Jumping Competition in Monte Carlo. The link was sent to us by Merry Royals reader Rodrigo (thanks!). The interview is in French, but there’s a translation below.

We’ve only seen photos of Charlotte, so it’s great to hear her voice! She’s very charming and poised, though this is apparently her first interview.

It looks like Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco is busy these days with show jumping. Just a few days after the Grand Prix Horse Jumping Competition in France, Charlotte is once again in the saddle. This time, it’s at the International Monte Carlo Jumping Competition on June 25 and 26, 2009.
A few of Charlotte’s family members and their significant others were present to give their support: her mother Princess Caroline, her brother Andrea and his girlfriend Tatiana Santos Domingos, and Charlene Wittstock (Prince Albert’s girlfriend).
It was a beautiful sunny day in Monaco for the royals to enjoy. I love seeing …read more

Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco was in Vidauban, France this weekend for the annual Grand Prix Special International Horse Jumping Competition. The event was held at the stables of Domaine Equestre des Grand Pins in Provence.

Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco enjoyed the Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 race with her family over the weekend. The race ran from May 21-24, 2009 through the streets of Monte Carlo.
Charlotte watched the race earlier with her boyfriend Alex Dellal, and her brother Pierre Casiraghi and his girlfriend Beatrice Borromeo. At that time, she and some of the others wore big red ear muffs to protect against the loud noise coming from the racing cars. The ear coverings were probably not the best accessories for her dark green dress that day.
On the last day of the …read more

The royal family of Monaco gathered to watch the Formula One Grand Prix over the weekend. The prestigious race, organized by the Automobile Club de Monaco, was held this year on May 21-24, 2009. The racing circuit winds through city streets and attracts the best Formula 1 racers in the world.
Prince Albert, Charlotte Casiraghi, Andrea Casiraghi, and Pierre Casiraghi were present at the awarding ceremony on the last day.
More photos below:

Prince Albert took the wheel of a model of the brand new Venturi electric car during the 2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix on Saturday, May 23, 2009 in Monaco. This was the first official demonstration of the Venturi Volage and a celebration of 25 years of Venturi Automobiles.
The Monaco Grand Prix draws the elite car makers, racers and enthusiasts every year. Prince Albert, as the royal host, gets one of the first looks at this innovative car.

Image: Bauer-Griffin