“Her Royal Highness Princess of Hanover”

      Sharing a cup of tea with Princess Caroline, Louise, Marguerite of Monaco, one would come to know a delightfully charming and engaging woman who lovingly represents her country with dignity and honor. Born in the Prince’s Palace in Monaco to Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, she was schooled at the Sorbonne in Paris and speaks five languages fluently. She is married to His Royal Highness Prince Ernst of Hanover and has four children. 
      She is tireless in her efforts to protect and help distressed youth, and to that end founded the association Jeune J’Ecoute which offers a telephone hotline to youngsters to discuss their problems with qualified professionals trained in dealing with the issues children face today. 
      Prince Rainer III appointed Princess Caroline President of the “Princess Grace Foundation”, among other designations, and she created the Ballet of Monte Carlo realizing the wishes of her mother. 
      The Princess grew up in the Prince’s Palace and thrived amid Louis XV furnishings and priceless paintings. To reach the Royal Family’s private apartments, you must first cross the royal courtyard paved with three million white and colored pebbles formed into exquisite geometrical patterns. On exhibit are 16th century Genovese frescoes, and the double-revolution staircase of Carrara marble was inspired by a staircase at Fountainebleau in France. 
      Continuing through the Prince’s Palace, Princess Caroline would pass through the Gallery where the Sovereign Prince receives Monegasques at official events. 
      Entering the Mirror Gallery, she would see the image of a long succession of rooms created by the dramatic effect of the succeeding mirrors imitating those found at the Palace of Versailles in France. 
      After the Mirror Gallery, the Princess would find herself passing through several colorful rooms; the Red Room, York Room, Yellow Room, Blue Room and the Throne Room where all official ceremonies occur. The Empire-style royal throne sits under a red silk velvet canopy topped by the royal crown and the Grimaldi coat of arms bearing the motto, “Deo Juvante”, With God’s Help. 
      The final room of the State Apartments is the State Hall, which connects the Palace’s southern and eastern wings and leads to the dining room and Royal Family’s private apartments via a long marble staircase. 
      Princess Caroline’s father, Prince Rainier III, is credited with restoring the greatest part of the Palace to its present splendid state. Along with her brother and sister, Her Royal Highness Princess of Hanover brings grace and elegance to Monaco and the Royal Palace. Taking tea with The Princess would be a delight for any devotee of the tradition. 

      A debt of gratitude goes to Véronique Simian, La Secretaire Privée to Princess Caroline for her generous assistance with the preparation of this newsletter.


Source: www.palais.mc
Photo: © Palais de Monaco