|
Post by smt on Jul 28, 2015 16:57:50 GMT -5
Are Monaco’s Royals Keeping Up With Kate and Will—or the Kardashians?
Is the ruling family of the world’s most famous postage-stamp-size principality making a deliberate comeback? Could the Kardashians be the inspiration? Probably the truth lies closer to home. One need look no further than Britain’s mega-popular royals as the reason why. “Blame Kate Middleton,” says a Brazilian-American socialite who has lived in Monaco for more than two decades. “They saw how beloved she and William and their kids are and they wanted some of the action. They were under pressure from people in Monaco as well. The two couples got married at the same time but nothing was happening with Albert and Charlene while Kate was taking over the world.”
The oddest twist in what appears to be Monaco's heavy new PR push involves one of Prince Albert’s two illegitimate children, Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, 23, who grew up near Palm Springs and Orange County, California. Jazmin was featured in a glowing spread in Harper’s Bazaar this month in photos designed to be reminiscent of her grandmother, Grace Kelly. She spoke to an interviewer over the phone from the princely palace in Monaco, talking about her “great relationship” with her father.
(...)
Albert told People this month that he himself had “underestimated” his wife. “She feels a little more comfortable with the media now, and to be quite honest she got there on her own,” the prince said. “She’s coming into her own. I think she’s found a good space.”
A Monaco businesswoman who has lived in the famously gossipy principality for years calls all the flattering recent stories about Albert and Charlene window dressing. “It’s not real and everyone knows it,” she says.
But Claudia Albuquerque, an American photographer who’s been based in Monaco and knows the couple, disagrees. “They get along wonderfully and they’re great parents,” Albuquerque told The Daily Beast. “Monaco’s a magical place and Albert has made it even more so. It’s so dynamic, it’s like a little New York City on the Riviera.”
“Monaco is trying to re-brand itself and that’s why you’re seeing a lot of this new media coverage,” says Nice-based Elizabeth Chandler, who covered the south of France and Monaco for British media in the 1990s. “They want to seem hip and cool and young and appeal to American tourists and American celebrities, especially the younger ones. It’s gotten too stuffy and off the radar. They want to change that.”
Chandler, who has met the prince and knows some of the people around Charlene, says she believes a lot of the negative press surrounding the couple is partly because they are not as naturally media-savvy and charismatic as Prince William and Kate Middleton. Albert famously stuttered well into adulthood and Charlene often comes across fairly wooden and remote in interviews.
“Prince Albert is actually a great ruler of Monaco,” Chandler said. “He does loads of work for charities that a lot of people don’t even know about. He doesn’t brag about it like Brad and Angelina. He’s cleaned up Monaco by kicking out a lot of the criminals. My friends who know them say he and Charlene are a genuine couple who really care about each other.”
Al and Trashy: Keeping up with Kate and Will?
Claudia is dillusional
|
|
|
Post by grimnir on Jul 29, 2015 7:32:35 GMT -5
Why is this so remarkable? And why should it be Monaco's doing? She, or her mum, could do this all by herself some years ago. Does anyone remember the promo for her foundation and that horrible royal blue battleship of a dress? Palm Springs Magazine IIRC. This one is practially a copy. It is slow news time and Harper's too need to fill pages. And it will probably sell some magazines. Royalty and royal relations and friends have a lot more adoration in the US than in Europe. Fergie went to the US for a reason back then. Albert told People this month that he himself had “underestimated” his wife. “She feels a little more comfortable with the media now, and to be quite honest she got there on her own,” the prince said. “She’s coming into her own. I think she’s found a good space.” Sigh, this is too stupid to comment on, but Barbie was happy enough to talk to the press when she was still swimming so I have trouble believing she is so miserable due to the media. She was even more happy bragging to the press when she was Albert's hired escort. Even worse, she once complained somewhere in an SA interview about not having gotten enough promotion (i.e. media attention) when she was a swimmer and how things would have been different if she had. But of course few people remember. So I play the 100% baloney card on this statement.
Oh dear. Every golddigger fashionista princess (i.e. all of them, except maybe for the born ones) in Europe is now gnashing her teeth. What an insult (to them of course).
|
|
|
Post by donna on Oct 11, 2015 14:58:51 GMT -5
There was an article in some german magazine, the other week, where Maria, a Monegasque citizen, was saying that Albert was alone at home most of the time. According to her, Monegasques are hoping for a divorce this year because they think it foolish of Albert to suffer to keep up appearances. Obviously Albert doesn't agree or he would have divorced her a long time ago.
Did any of you read the article? There was a front cover with them both (C&A) looking depressed.
|
|
|
Post by emmeline on Oct 12, 2015 13:22:59 GMT -5
Interesting. I haven't seen the article. But she makes a point saying that Al is staying alone in home most of the time because we've seen that trashy is spending a lot of time in Corsica. They might already be living separate lives. I don't know what to think on a divorce. French looney fan droped at RD (idk why now...) that in case of divorce, Albert would have full custody on the kids. Would trashy want that?
|
|
|
Post by grimnir on Oct 12, 2015 13:49:57 GMT -5
Are they trying to imply that barbie and Albert ever lived together? I mean, it's just continuing as they did before, living alone, alone. Where's the news in that?
Emmeline, I always assumed that the born-royal got full custody in case of any royal divorce. For practical reasons. The kid(s)are heir(s) to the throne and "need" to be educated and watched as such. Besides the children are a formidable blackmail instrument and weapon in a divorce as well. In Albert's case: can you imagine Tamara's or Nicole's crazy stunts if they had had their paws on the heir to Monaco's throne? They were bad enough as it was.
I just assumed that custody of the kids was number one in those infamous pre-nups that tabloids are always talking about. I take them with a grain of salt (the tabloid version that is) but I do believe that royal houses have lawyers that would very firmly lay down the law before any wedding. And that that law would include the royals' only reason for existance: the succession.
|
|
|
Post by agentf on Oct 14, 2015 9:33:38 GMT -5
Albert needs a new lawyer... Are they trying to imply that barbie and Albert ever lived together? I mean, it's just continuing as they did before, living alone, alone. Where's the news in that? Emmeline, I always assumed that the born-royal got full custody in case of any royal divorce. For practical reasons. The kid(s)are heir(s) to the throne and "need" to be educated and watched as such. Besides the children are a formidable blackmail instrument and weapon in a divorce as well. In Albert's case: can you imagine Tamara's or Nicole's crazy stunts if they had had their paws on the heir to Monaco's throne? They were bad enough as it was. I just assumed that custody of the kids was number one in those infamous pre-nups that tabloids are always talking about. I take them with a grain of salt (the tabloid version that is) but I do believe that royal houses have lawyers that would very firmly lay down the law before any wedding. And that that law would include the royals' only reason for existance: the succession.
|
|
|
Post by paca on Oct 18, 2015 15:33:25 GMT -5
how long do they think they can drag out that palace renovation story as cover up for being separated? I guess she had to move away from the MC area to reduce local scrutiny. Too many tongues wagging. I guess they chose Corsica to allow Albert to visit and to keep her locked away. While they are small they will be with the mom, but as soon as they go to school it will be MC. They would turn Monegasques against them if the kids don't grow up in MC and make friends there. It's the only reason why ALbert was accepted although they didn't think he was competent. Rainier didn't grow up in MC, so he was respected and feared, but he was competent and made them rich. Albert is making them poorer. AT least the majority of them. So his son needs to make friends in MC whilst growing up as it is highly unlikely he should turn out competent with those two as parents....
|
|
|
Post by smt on Oct 28, 2015 16:39:07 GMT -5
A few brave souls are airing their opinions over on RF about Trampy living on Corsica rather than in Monaco. I think I'll pull up a chair, get me a big bowl of popcorn and watch the games begin! MP should be chiming in any minute now!
|
|
|
Post by hibou on Oct 28, 2015 22:32:40 GMT -5
A few brave souls are airing their opinions over on RF about Trampy living on Corsica rather than in Monaco. I think I'll pull up a chair, get me a big bowl of popcorn and watch the games begin! MP should be chiming in any minute now! I think they will continue to live separate lives. She will show up when ordered and Albert can continue his usual lifestyle. Is he even in Monaco?
|
|
|
Post by tops on Oct 28, 2015 22:35:36 GMT -5
how long do they think they can drag out that palace renovation story as cover up for being separated? I guess she had to move away from the MC area to reduce local scrutiny. Too many tongues wagging. I guess they chose Corsica to allow Albert to visit and to keep her locked away. While they are small they will be with the mom, but as soon as they go to school it will be MC. They would turn Monegasques against them if the kids don't grow up in MC and make friends there. It's the only reason why ALbert was accepted although they didn't think he was competent. Rainier didn't grow up in MC, so he was respected and feared, but he was competent and made them rich. Albert is making them poorer. AT least the majority of them. So his son needs to make friends in MC whilst growing up as it is highly unlikely he should turn out competent with those two as parents.... All the more reason that Caro should be in command and bring in some sensibilities that the principality desires and deserves.
|
|
|
Post by Lady Michelle Elizabeth on Oct 29, 2015 7:32:02 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by donna on Oct 29, 2015 10:07:13 GMT -5
Maybe she is realizing that he isn't such a great person after all.
And the gold wasn't all that shiny.
|
|
|
Post by mrszinck on Oct 29, 2015 15:16:56 GMT -5
I see a man not a woman or mother..
|
|
|
Post by emmeline on Oct 30, 2015 13:23:01 GMT -5
I wonder if she will be all smiles on ND, her first one with her babies...
|
|
|
Post by smt on Oct 30, 2015 14:16:25 GMT -5
I wonder if she will be all smiles on ND, her first one with her babies... I suspect she will be all smiles --- after all, it's one of the days on which she is contractually obligated to smile.
|
|
|
Post by margarita on May 10, 2016 5:27:17 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by emmeline on May 10, 2016 11:04:34 GMT -5
This kind of articles will surface the media again. Trashy couldn't care less about Monaco and she is showing it. Now she goes to the States so she can be as far away from Albert as she can, plus she is receiving an award. It's perfect for her. I can't wait to see her at the Grand Prix... her face will surely be a poem.
|
|
|
Post by axelle on May 11, 2016 12:08:52 GMT -5
Shame I can't find the link...
|
|
|
Post by margarita on May 11, 2016 16:25:02 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by emmeline on May 11, 2016 20:05:46 GMT -5
|
|