Members of the Monegasque Princely Family kicked off the weekend of the second Advent Sunday by opening the traditional Christmas market in the Principality.
On Friday afternoon, Prince Albert and his twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, were joined by Albert’s elder sister, Princess Caroline and her son, Pierre Casiraghi, to open the traditional market.
Also attending the event was Pierre’s wife, Beatrice Borromeo, and his children – Stefano and Francesco.
The family, without Princess Charlene, enjoyed a 15 minutes walk from the Princely Palace to Port Hercule, where the market traditionally takes place.
Upon arrival, Prince Albert and Princess Caroline, who once again appears to be acting as the country’s First Lady, officially opened the market, before the entire family enjoyed a brief tour.
This year, the organisers have chosen a ‘Christmas in Canada’ theme, with natural pine trees and 37 traditional chalets whose products make up an experience through the 13 Canadian territories and provinces – most important of all beingQuebec, which is the province that has a majority of French-speaking population.
The children seemed to enjoy all the sweets they ate, and managed to catch a ride on a replica of a traditional Canadian Christmas train.
During the opening ceremony, a group of girls in traditional Monegasque costumes offered a performance. The costume was the same one that was chosen for Prince Albert and Princess Charlene’s wedding flower girls, and it was reportedly designed by Princess Caroline in collaboration with Jean-Christophe Maillot, the Director of the MonteCarlo Ballet, of which Princess Caroline is patron.
Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella must have enjoyed the afternoon out, especially since it was revealed by Prince Albert that, in light of recent events, the twins are now being homeschooled by tutors in the Palace, and only share their education journey with four other children.
This was done in order for the children to have some stability at home, following Princess Charlene’s return to Monaco and subsequent admission to a treatment facility.
The market will be open to the public until the 2nd of January 2022.
