Monaco royal family assemble for National Day celebrations

The Monaco royals have gathered for the annual National Day celebrations in Monte-Carlo on Monday.

Leading the way was Prince Albert II who was dressed in full military regalia accompanied by his wife Princess Charlene of Monaco.

Joining their parents on the balcony of the royal palace were three-yea-old twins Jacques and Gabriella of Monaco.

Gabriella appeared to have already perfected her royal wave, waving to spectators down below while her proud mother Charlene looked on.

And it seemed that the parents had come armed with toys for the little ones to keep them entertained with Prince Jacques spotted holding an action figure while his sister held a Sylvanian Family cat.  

The former Olympic swimmer, who married Prince Albert in 2011 after meeting him some 11 years earlier at a swimming meet in Monaco, looked typically chic in a monochrome ensemble today.

The 40-year-old paired her black midi skirt with a statement structured coat on which she wore the French flower of remembrance – the cornflower.

Three-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella joined their parents Prince Albert and Princess Charlene on the balcony of the palace of Monte Carlo for National Day celebrations 

Princess Charlene of Monaco has joined other members of the royal family for the annual National Day celebrations Monte Carlo

Princess Charlene of Monaco has joined other members of the royal family for the annual National Day celebrations Monte Carlo

The mother-of-two kept the remainder of her accessories relatively muted in the form of knee high black boots and an elegant felt hat in the same shade.

Her iconic icy-blonde crop was coiffed to perfection as she stood alongside Princess Stephanie of Monaco and Princess Caroline of Hanover as the celebrations got under way. 

Watching from the balcony of the royal palace was Caroline’s children Pierre Casiragh who could be seen holding his son Stefano Casiraghi and stood alongside his nephew Sacha Casiraghi who observed the military parade below.

The National Day of Monaco, also known as the Sovereign Prince’s Day, is celebrated every year on November 19.

Leading the way was Prince Albert II who was dressed in full military regalia for the occasion which falls on November 19 each year since he ascended the throne 

Leading the way was Prince Albert II who was dressed in full military regalia for the occasion which falls on November 19 each year since he ascended the throne 

Princess Stephanie of Monaco looked festive in a bright red dress coat

Charlene looked typically chic in a monochrome ensemble

Princess Stephanie of Monaco looked festive in a bright red dress coat (left) while Charlene looked typically chic in a monochrome ensemble 

The annual holiday takes place on the same day as Prince Albert of Monaco ascended to the throne.

The date of the National Day was traditionally determined by the reigning Prince. The previous Princes often chose the day of the saint they were named after. However, when Prince Albert II ascended the throne he ended this tradition by choosing the same day as his father Prince Rainier III.

National day is typically celebrated with fireworks over the harbour the evening before and a mass in the St. Nicholas Cathedral the next morning. The people of Monaco may celebrate by waving the Monegasque flag.  

Watching from the balcony of the royal palace was Caroline's children Pierre Casiragh who could be seen holding his son Stefano Casiraghi and stood alongside his nephew Sacha Casiraghi

Watching from the balcony of the royal palace was Caroline’s children Pierre Casiragh who could be seen holding his son Stefano Casiraghi and stood alongside his nephew Sacha Casiraghi

Curious Stefano appeared to be on his best behaviour as he enjoyed the parade on the streets below 

Curious Stefano appeared to be on his best behaviour as he enjoyed the parade on the streets below 

Also spotted on the balcony was Tatiana Casiraghi alongside  husband (far left) to watch the parade below and Princess Stephanie's daughter Camille Gottileb who looked sophisticated in tweed

Also spotted on the balcony was Tatiana Casiraghi alongside  husband (far left) to watch the parade below and Princess Stephanie’s daughter Camille Gottileb who looked sophisticated in tweed

The Principality guard took part in the parade ahead of the ceremonies marking the National Day

The Principality guard took part in the parade ahead of the ceremonies marking the National Day

On Saturday, Charlene joined husband Albert, 60, to attend a charitable gift giving event in aid of the Monaco Red Cross.

The couple spent time chatting to visitors, shaking their hands and hearing stories about their lives.

The Red Cross is a charity clearly close to the royal’s hearts, with the couple hosting a gala ball in aid of the charity each July. 

Prince Albert could be seen saluting the guard as part of the annual tradition which he chose to hold on the same day his father Prince Rainier III had 

Prince Albert could be seen saluting the guard as part of the annual tradition which he chose to hold on the same day his father Prince Rainier III had 

National day is typically celebrated with fireworks over the harbour the evening before and a mass in the St. Nicholas Cathedral the next morning. The people of Monaco may celebrate by waving the Monegasque flag

National day is typically celebrated with fireworks over the harbour the evening before and a mass in the St. Nicholas Cathedral the next morning. The people of Monaco may celebrate by waving the Monegasque flag

Charlene and Albert have recently returned from Paris which they visited for the centenary of WWI last week alongside other world leaders.

President Trump and his wife Melania were among those at the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice at the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday.  

The evening before the cohort descended on the Orsay Museum in Paris for an official dinner marking commemorations for Armistice Day.

The Monaco couple’s twins, three-year-old Gabriella and Jacques, also enjoyed a playdate at the home of President Macron and his wife Brigitte before returning home.  

Princess Caroline of Hanover (seen right) looked elegant in a blue tweed coat and a trilby hat with a lace trim

Princess Caroline of Hanover (seen right) looked elegant in a blue tweed coat and a trilby hat with a lace trim

 

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