Princess Charlene was back at the side of Prince Albert II as Monaco celebrated its National Day.
The princess joined her husband of 14 years for the Te Deum service at Monaco’s cathedral which began festivities.
Charlene, 47, chose a white trouser suit for the ceremony which was also attended by Albert’s two sisters, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie.
The three siblings had been together on the eve of National Day for a special event in which Stephanie was presented with one of Monaco’s highest honours. She became a Commander of the Order of Cultural Merit for her work for arts in Monaco, in particular her support of the circus.
It was Princess Caroline who presented the honour to her younger sister while Prince Albert watched on.
Princess Charlene was noticeably absent from the ceremony which took place at the Prince’s Palace in Monte Carlo.
However, Charlene was back for the celebrations for National Day which began, as always, with the Te Deum.
She arrived by car with her husband and they were greeted by clergy on the steps of the cathedral before pausing to wait for Caroline and Stephanie to join them.
This is a particularly poignant National Day for Prince Albert who marks 20 years of his own reign this year. In 2005, seven months after he had succeeded to the throne on the death of his father Prince Rainier III, the November 19 celebrations marks a new chapter in his own personal reign and were taken as his official ascension to the throne.
Caroline and Stephanie had been at his side then so their prominence at the events this year was a nod to the family’s unity at difficult times.
Princess Charlene, as always, was the style setter at the event. She chose a white trouser suit featuring a single breasted jacket over an on trend tie neck shirt. The trousers were also in this season’s latest shape as she went for wide legged pants. The outfit was finished with a beret style hat with a veil that covered her face.
National Day in Monaco is held on November 19 and the date is linked to Prince Rainier. It had always been traditional for Monegasque rulers to have National Day on the feast day of the saint after whom they were named. The feast of St. Rainier is on November 19 and when Albert took the throne, he decided to stick with that date for his father rather than changing it.
It’s expected that Albert and Charlene’s twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, will join their parents for some part of the National Day celebrations.
