There are Christmas traditions at the Palace of Monaco that are still taking place today as in Princess Grace’s time. Prince Albert participated in these as a young child… and still carries on Christmas traditions along with Princess Charlene, and now with Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques – including traditional Christmas photos.
Christmas 2015
Christmas 2014
Arriving at Palace on Dec 24, 2014 with twins
2014 was a very special Christmas as Prince Albert drove Princess Charlene and the twins (in the back seat) in time to celebrate Christmas at the Palace. (click on this image below for video)
Monaco Christmas Photos
Getting that perfect Christmas Photo is a challenge no matter what your position.
Christmas Preparations
Princess Grace decorating Christmas tree – with young Prince Albert
Princess Grace gives a personal touch as she wraps her own Christmas gifts
Although 2014 would be an unusual year due to the very new arrival of Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, the Grimaldi’s are rooted in Catholic traditions – for an inside look at what Christmas festivities were like at the Palace of Monaco, read “My Days with Princess Grace”
Children of Monaco Gift Giving
One of the Christmas traditions that Princess Grace began is inviting every child residing in Monaco to the Palace for a gift giving. In the late ’50s and early ’60s, recalls one Monégasque who attended the parties as a child, “there was no television, practically no movies and definitely no Internet or diversions like today, so Princess Grace decided to offer children a day in the palace, with snacks and she showed some cartoons.
See this rare archival footage that includes young Prince Albert.
This is the 2014 video, which did not include Princess Charlene because she was in the maternity ward with her newborn twins.
Christmas TV Special
Princess Grace last appearance on film actually took place for a 1982 Christmas TV Special “The Nativity” in one of the rare times that the Vatican had allowed film production crews on its premises. The Vatican actually dropped its prohibition of shooting films of the then newly restored Pieta statue by Michelangelo in deference to Princess Grace.
See more about the Monaco Twins
