Obviously Caroline has her reasons for not coming but I find it disconcerting that she and her family are able to attend and be photographed in Valentino's tribute, and are absent in this extraordinary tribute to their late mother.
We are all speculating here about her absence, but should there be an issue which really made it difficult for her to bear, she should have at least done a Grace Kelly -- be gracious and regal despite inner turmoil.
I have just been to the exhibition, and I have to say it is fabulous, maybe just too big as it took me almost three hours to see it all, but amazing. Fantastic photos, family videos, dresses, jewels. I advise anyone who can to go as it is a really great tribute to Princess Grace.
As for Caro, I respect her decision; to judge properly we should know what exactly is going on in the Family and in Monaco...the Red Cross will shed some more light anyway.
Actually hibou, it wasn't her husband who was his rival, but Antoinette herself who had ambitions for her son. Apparently Grace had Antoinette removed from the palace and they only kept lose contact and only after Grace's death the brother and sister grew closer and Antoinette and her family became more visible. I hope we will not see a repetition with ALbert and Caro. And I agree with Grace that the Red cross will shed some light, though not necessarily clear for everyone to see. But I suppose at present none of the involved parties knows what will happen. As one of the German chancelors used to say: we just need to sit this out.
Also for those interested in the wedding gown. Over the years due to both it's design and the delicacy of the lace the gown itself became very fragile and in fact was in grave danger of never being able to be viewed again. Thanks to recent efforts in costume and textile conservation and the amazing efforts of Dilys Blum, Curator of Costume and Textiles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the dress was able to travel to Monaco for this special occasion. It remains in fragile condition but thanks to all those at the Philadelphia Museum of Art we are once again able to view this special gown.
I have just been to the exhibition, and I have to say it is fabulous, maybe just too big as it took me almost three hours to see it all, but amazing. Fantastic photos, family videos, dresses, jewels. I advise anyone who can to go as it is a really great tribute to Princess Grace.
Obviously Caroline has her reasons for not coming but I find it disconcerting that she and her family are able to attend and be photographed in Valentino's tribute, and are absent in this extraordinary tribute to their late mother.
I agree with you 100%! Princess Caroline's presence can do a lot to assure that this exposition is a success, especially when it goes to London and the U.S. They have to remember there is a new generation who isn't aware of Grace Kelley (or Princess Grace). I have intoduced my family to Grace Kelly by her 11 movies and they love her. Princess Caroline should have been there with Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie. Albert walks in the dinner with his Charlene at his side (Stephanie didn’t seem to attend – I am assuming that she didn’t since she didn’t walk in with him and Charlene and his entourage). If there seems to be a special reason (as is obvious to some), why she is staying away from certain ventures, then she should have sucked it up for the sake of her mother’s honor! I think it’s shameful that in the U.S. that I can see pictures of Caroline (and her husband & three children!) attending DAYS of events honoring a great clothes designer but I see NO pictures of her attending a first-time exposition honoring her mother. This was about her mother and the press release that went out around the world about the opening should have included all three of Princess Grace’s children. What has Princess Caroline proved by her absence? There is no reason (or woman) that Prince Albert can drag out that is worth not honoring her mother at this special event. Prince Albert has made his choice as he always has concerning the same type of women and he seems to do what he wants regardless of advice people have given him in the past and Charlene is who she is (I bet Charlene would not have missed this opportunity for anything or anyone). In my opinion, Princess Caroline is truly the lesser person in this situation.We are all speculating here about her absence, but should there be an issue which really made it difficult for her to bear, she should have at least done a Grace Kelly -- be gracious and regal despite inner turmoil.
Oh well ... I hope they do attend or grace the event and give it further publicity and significance.
From the Telecom video, it does not seem that Mme Gallico walked in with Charlene, as you would expect a lady in waiting. I seriously doubt that this woman is helping Charlene. Charlene has on her usual halter top. I don't know if it's by Isabelle, but I think it's one that she has worn before (I'll post in the fashion thread a note about the purple corset dress that seems to be very popular in Monaco). I know it's summer and of course Stephanie had a halter top, but there are so many other ways of dressing elegantlly for an event like the dinner that does not include a halter top. At this point why does Charlene need any help? She seems to have gotten pretty far with her halter and tube tops - Albert seems to have no problem with them and the tabloids adore her .Well, then our Italian friends might discover something in their tabloids soon. Long time that we didn't see Mme Gallico around, but I suppose that as Graces former lady in waiting and friend she wouldn't miss the occasion. Or maybe she is back into helping Charlene behave and hopefully dress appropriately. Did she look decently dressed or was it another of the Isabelle Kristensen style outfits?
Btw Caro was dining Tuesday evening with Ernst in Beaulieu (as did Jack Nicholson) at the African Queen, so she was just down the road for the exhibition opening on Wednesday.
Here is a great Monaco Telecom video of the exposition (about 11 minutes long – click on JT SPECIAL JEUDI 12 JUILLET.wmv)! There are scenes of the exposition and different footages of Prince Albert (before the grand opening with Mitterand ) and at the opening with Princess Stephanie. There were a lot of press and guests at the grand opening. Nine and a half minutes into the video there is a clip of the dinner afterward and P. Albert walks in with his Charlene.
Here’s another link to an article at Monaco Revue which includes some of the guest that were at the reception (Jack Nicholson was there).
I agree with you 100%! Princess Caroline's presence can do a lot to assure that this exposition is a success, especially when it goes to London and the U.S. They have to remember there is a new generation who isn't aware of Grace Kelley (or Princess Grace). I have intoduced my family to Grace Kelly by her 11 movies and they love her. Princess Caroline should have been there with Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie. Albert walks in the dinner with his Charlene at his side (Stephanie didn’t seem to attend – I am assuming that she didn’t since she didn’t walk in with him and Charlene and his entourage). If there seems to be a special reason (as is obvious to some), why she is staying away from certain ventures, then she should have sucked it up for the sake of her mother’s honor! I think it’s shameful that in the U.S. that I can see pictures of Caroline (and her husband & three children!) attending DAYS of events honoring a great clothes designer but I see NO pictures of her attending a first-time exposition honoring her mother. This was about her mother and the press release that went out around the world about the opening should have included all three of Princess Grace’s children. What has Princess Caroline proved by her absence? There is no reason (or woman) that Prince Albert can drag out that is worth not honoring her mother at this special event. Prince Albert has made his choice as he always has concerning the same type of women and he seems to do what he wants regardless of advice people have given him in the past and Charlene is who she is (I bet Charlene would not have missed this opportunity for anything or anyone). In my opinion, Princess Caroline is truly the lesser person in this situation.
I am still at awe when I look at pictures of this woman! Grace Kelley – Princess Grace was truly a beautiful woman. There is not one Hollywood star today that can come near her beauty, grace, and elegance. I am sure Charlene was inspired after viewing the exposition, but no matter what the tabloids say and how well she cleans up with Albert’ resources, she will never match it because Grace’s charm, elegance, and style came from within – something you cannot buy. I never bought Point de Vue because of their ridiculous attempts to try to sell Charlene and Albert’s affair as some great love affair. But, they showed some of the pictures of this week’s PDV cover honoring Grace and the exhibit and it’s something that I think is nice to have. A PDV journalist (I hate calling them this) was at the dinner discussing the issue and expo, so I won’t be surprised if their next week’s cover story will be about Charlene and Albert at the dinner and how much Charlene is so much like Grace. Get ready.
I have just been to the exhibition, and I have to say it is fabulous, maybe just too big as it took me almost three hours to see it all, but amazing. Fantastic photos, family videos, dresses, jewels. I advise anyone who can to go as it is a really great tribute to Princess Grace.
As for Caro, I respect her decision; to judge properly we should know what exactly is going on in the Family and in Monaco...the Red Cross will shed some more light anyway.
Hibou, I really do understand what you are saying and I'll respond in the "what Do I think of Charlene" thread why I think I'll see pigs fly before seeing Charlene bowing out for anyone other than herself. Again, this exhibition is about Princess Grace. At least in the U.S., many people who actually knew of her or her remarkable gift to shine in most situations are dying out. No one, absolutley no one, doubts that Grace's presence in Monaco truly invigorated Monaco and made it what it is today. Prince Rainier could not have done it on his own. Monaco is still shining on Grace's special light. Allowing people to view her life as this exhibition does, keeps that shine alit. I think her children - all of them - should do whatever it takes to share Prince Grace's special shine to a new generation. Exhibits like this have to be advertised. They shouldn't expect people to just flock to the London and New York exhibit without some type of promotion. Look what young Prince William and Prince Harry did for their mom - they even did an American interview to highlight the concert. I am sure they will assure that people always remember their mother - and do whatever it takes to maintain it. Prince Albert, Princess Stephanie, and Princess Caroline owed it to their parents to come together and do this. Caroline should have done the TV presentation that she missed also (she was scheduled to attend until the last minute). Again, I feel no one or no thing is worth coming between them to achieve the goal of honoring their mother.I do have to say that Caroline has been so dutiful in the job since Grace died that there has to be a good reason. As for sucking it up, if and I say if because we don't really know, but going on the assumption that it was Charlene, this was a family rememberance and frankly Charlene is the one who should have sucked it up and bowed out, so Caroline and the trio would attend...
I do have to say that Caroline has been so dutiful in the job since Grace died that there has to be a good reason. As for sucking it up, if and I say if because we don't really know, but going on the assumption that it was Charlene, this was a family rememberance and frankly Charlene is the one who should have sucked it up and bowed out, so Caroline and the trio would attend. Put the shoe on the other foot. In the end I blame Albert who really knows what the situation is should have done something (like leave Charlene at home) so that it would have been a family affair.
Caroline is the one whose style continues to bring the same glamour that her Mother did and her absence only points out the lack of style and glamour (although I thought Stephanie looked terrific) that is missing since Grace died. We've all commented that Charlene doesn't have it and what better way to point out the contrast than to be missing in action. JMO
I have to agree with you on this one. Caroline has been avoiding situations in which she had to be friendly with Charlene. Steph attended but completly ignored the woman kissing Albert at the entrance of the exhibition. (what an odd way to show that you are there by lashing out of a crowd to kiss the prince just so that people know you are there too) But I think she skipped the dinner. Caro would have been expected to be there, whereas Steph is always easily excused. And I blame mostly Albert for Caro not being there. He knows what is going on and where there is a problem. I think there are 2 pigheaded people at work here, though I think that Caro is right in avoiding a situation that would show her snubbing Charlene as Steph did by walking past her without greeting. But Charlene should have insisted on staying away, if it causes a problem within the family. She might have won herself some respect with the sisters, if she would have said: hey it's your mum, it's a family affair and you should all be there united grandchildren and all. I'd love to be there, but I am not a member (yet). It is not her place to be at his side yet (remember protocol? she blabbed about it quite a bit but hasn't learned a thing). And for the time being Caro is his heir and if Charlenes presence poses a problem for her and Andrea to be there, then Charlene has to stay away. And Albert being insisting on her presence is not helping, because ultimately he will lose. He doesn't want to give in, but it causes him stress because he is torn between his lover and his family. And trampling on the sentiments of others is not going to make things easier. This way, if he should marry Charlene, the attitude of his sisters will not change. And unlike with Antoinette I doubt that the Monegasques will accept them to be pushed away. They would consider this utterly ungrateful towards the sisters and the work they have done and are continuing. He should have left Charlene at home, done a private visit with her and made it known to his sisters that it was her decision to stay away. That way he might have scored a few points for her. If I was charlene I would ask myself though whether seperating Albert from his family is wise. Ultimately he will return to them. Rainier did too after Grace's death and even before there was lose contact (though Antoinette had quite a changing life so she was more in need to keep in touch then Caro would be). And every love affair changes with time and who will guarantee her that one day he will not hold it against her and put all the blame on her? People tend to be blind when it comes to their own faults. Apart from my opinion of Charlene, I believe that Albert needs a woman at his side who is smart enough to handle his sisters and the place at his side. And he might have to once again look at how his mother might have handle the situation. It seems that there are quite a number of things that she forgot to teach her ALL her children or that they forgot and overlooked. Maybe this exhibition will also help to remind them.I do have to say that Caroline has been so dutiful in the job since Grace died that there has to be a good reason. As for sucking it up, if and I say if because we don't really know, but going on the assumption that it was Charlene, this was a family rememberance and frankly Charlene is the one who should have sucked it up and bowed out, so Caroline and the trio would attend. Put the shoe on the other foot. In the end I blame Albert who really knows what the situation is should have done something (like leave Charlene at home) so that it would have been a family affair.
Caroline should have done the TV presentation that she missed also (she was scheduled to attend until the last minute). Again, I feel no one or no thing is worth coming between them to achieve the goal of honoring their mother
I agree, that they all should have been there, but you have to move away from the picture here. If they all would have showed together with Charlene in tow, that would have been a clear message to the media. The exhibition was a family affair of which Charlene is no part. As his wife she would have had every right and duty to be there, though leaving the main spotlight on the siblings. But as his girlfriend she has no place there and if that means that part of the family will not show up in order to not send this message around the world then it would have been only too natural to leave her at home. Albert has once again shown how undiplomatic and pigheaded he is. He is almost 50 and seems to be repeating the mistakes that his father made in his late 20s early 30s. This is the same type of desaster that he managed to create around Alex' recognition. I should have thought that now that he has advice that he would b able to handle these matters better. But obviously I'm wrong.Prince Albert, Princess Stephanie, and Princess Caroline owed it to their parents to come together and do this. Caroline should have done the TV presentation that she missed also (she was scheduled to attend until the last minute). Again, I feel no one or no thing is worth coming between them to achieve the goal of honoring their mother.
I agree, that they all should have been there, but you have to move away from the picture here. If they all would have showed together with Charlene in tow, that would have been a clear message to the media. The exhibition was a family affair of which Charlene is no part. As his wife she would have had every right and duty to be there, though leaving the main spotlight on the siblings. But as his girlfriend she has no place there and if that means that part of the family will not show up in order to not send this message around the world then it would have been only too natural to leave her at home. Albert has once again shown how undiplomatic and pigheaded he is. He is almost 50 and seems to be repeating the mistakes that his father made in his late 20s early 30s. This is the same type of desaster that he managed to create around Alex' recognition. I should have thought that now that he has advice that he would b able to handle these matters better. But obviously I'm wrong.
Hibou, I really do understand what you are saying and I'll respond in the "what Do I think of Charlene" thread why I think I'll see pigs fly before seeing Charlene bowing out for anyone other than herself. Again, this exhibition is about Princess Grace. At least in the U.S., many people who actually knew of her or her remarkable gift to shine in most situations are dying out. No one, absolutley no one, doubts that Grace's presence in Monaco truly invigorated Monaco and made it what it is today. Prince Rainier could not have done it on his own. Monaco is still shining on Grace's special light. Allowing people to view her life as this exhibition does, keeps that shine alit. I think her children - all of them - should do whatever it takes to share Prince Grace's special shine to a new generation. Exhibits like this have to be advertised. They shouldn't expect people to just flock to the London and New York exhibit without some type of promotion. Look what young Prince William and Prince Harry did for their mom - they even did an American interview to highlight the concert. I am sure they will assure that people always remember their mother - and do whatever it takes to maintain it. Prince Albert, Princess Stephanie, and Princess Caroline owed it to their parents to come together and do this. Caroline should have done the TV presentation that she missed also (she was scheduled to attend until the last minute). Again, I feel no one or no thing is worth coming between them to achieve the goal of honoring their mother.