Prince Albert II of Monaco

[Eric_Lowe]

I believe Albert think of his duty as Prince of Monaco very serriously.

[Rani]

I heard the people from Monaco don´t respect him really. But they aren´t allowed to say this. If this is true hmm??

And why this outdoor wedding? He said 1000 people wouldn´t fit in the church, but some members of other forums said that isn´t true.

[Eric_Lowe]

I think the people of Monaco complain too much.

[Grace]

I believe Albert think of his duty as Prince of Monaco very serriously.

Well, I hope you're right, Eric.  Personally, he has never struck me as being all that serious about anything, but I could be wrong.  The citizens of Monaco would be far more in a position to judge that than anyone else I would think.

Rainier and Grace enjoyed themselves a lot, no doubt, but with them you always had the impression it was business before pleasure.  Albert and his two sisters - not that I'm saying they don't do anything worthwhile - have always struck me as the "pleasure before business" types.  They don't seem to have the intense interest in the principality and its people as did their parents. 

[Eric_Lowe]

I think Albert was the one who did the most. The other two just showed up for parties. I hope Charlene would be another Grace in her dedication of her job as first lady of Monaco.

[Rani]

Hardly.

Compare them:

Grace was a natural beauty
She had a career, which she gave up
She earned the respect of the people from Monaco through her engagements

Charlene had several surgeries, believe me it´s quite sad how she changed herself so much
She didn´t finished highschool and gave up her swim career years ago


She must really work hard. Albert IMO is not supportive. Which is more worst. All the husbands of the Crown Princesses in Europe were supportive and caring at the time of the engagements.
But not Albert. What is going on that he changed the dates three times, changed the engagement ring, wants an outdoor wedding, don´t take his fiancèe serious.

[Rani]

See the difference?

I don´t want to be mean. But Charlene changed herself so much. Before she was not beautiful, but natural and looked happy. Maybe I exaggerate it, but there is this cold vibe.
Of course I wish her all the best and that she will find her place and have cute children.

[Grace]

I don't see a great deal of difference in her appearance in these photos except that she's obviously better groomed now and has probably had her teeth straightened and bleached.  Why is this not acceptable for a woman who is marrying a Sovereign Prince and who will be under intense scrutiny, both in her looks and conduct, for the rest of her life?  I don't see evidence of "several surgeries" either.  Where is this?

As for not finishing high school and giving up her swimming career - how do those things indicate whether or not she will be a good wife for Albert and Princess of Monaco?
I'm sure she knows she has to prove herself to the people of Monaco, just like Grace did and she deserves the chance to do so, just like Grace did also.      

[Rani]

Maybe I was too hard. And who thought Mette Marit would be a good crown princess?

I hope Charlene will make it!

[Eric_Lowe]

Exactly ! Diiana Spencer & Grace Kelly were not known to be brainy people too, look what they can do ?

Give the girl a chance ! 

[Rani]

[Grace]

I agree with the comments made on another board about this interview given by the future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock.  It's early days yet, but she does not come across well here at all in my opinion.   

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/monaco/8098660/Following-in-Princess-Graces-footsteps-the-next-Princess-admits-to-making-few-friends-in-Monaco.html

[Naslednik Norvezhskiy]

Haha, what a marvellously candid interview. Probably not very wise to start out by criticizing her new compatriots in public, but I love her for it and can very well imagine that it's incredibly boring to try to fit in with a crowd of tax dodgers. I always disliked how Grace acted all humble like she was the Queen of Poor Ireland and not the Princess of a self-centred little tax haven and gambling den.

[Eric_Lowe]

Grace acted well as the wife of a minor European principality, whose title was a Serene rather than a Royal Highness. She should be humble because she was born American and knew little how to be royal (compared to the others). Princess Margaret used to tell her that "she doesn't look like a movie actress" while Grace retorted "I wasn't born a movie actress !"...