#albert ii

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🎥 Video courtesy of SBM ©

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The History of the Rose Ball

The ball was first established in 1954 by Henry Astric, the artistic director of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer at the time.

A decade later, the ball took on a philanthropic dimension, thanks to Princess Grace of Monaco.

To this day, the event directs all proceeds toward the nonprofit bearing her name, the Princess Grace Foundation, benefiting humanitarian programs for children in need, such as equipping pediatric units in French hospitals.

Following Princess Grace’s death in 1982, her daughter, Princess Caroline of Hanover, assumed chairmanship of the foundation, a role she maintains today alongside her brother Prince Albert, who serves as vice chairman.

The ball has been held at the Salle des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo since the venue’s inauguration in 1974 by the American-French entertainer, Josephine Baker.

Organized annually by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer — the company oversees the Monte Carlo Casino, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, and the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo — the opulent ballroom is known for its crystal chandeliers and a retractable roof that opens to the Mediterranean sky on clear evenings.

One detail has never changed: 25,000 roses adorn the room each year, honoring both the ball's name and Princess Grace's favorite flower.

✒️ Town & Country

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Princess Akiko of Mikasa (born 20 December 1981) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan, a paternal second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, and the elder daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko).

She is also a niece of Japan's 92nd prime minister Tarō Asō (who is the older brother of her mother), a great-niece of author and literary critic Ken'ichi Yoshida, and a great-granddaughter of Japan's 45th prime minister Shigeru Yoshida.

Physique: Average Build Height: 5′ 11″

Albert II (Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi; born 14 March 1958) is Prince of Monaco, reigning since 2005 and head of the Princely House of Grimaldi. Albert is one of the wealthiest royals in the world, with assets valued at more than $1 billion, which include land in Monaco and France. He owns shares in the Société des Bains de Mer, which operates Monaco’s casino and other entertainment properties in the principality.

Born at the Prince's Palace of Monaco, Albert is the second child and only son of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco), a former actress. He attended the Lycée Albert Premier before studying political science at Amherst College (B.A., 1981) and briefly served in the French navy. An avid sportsman in his youth, he competed in bobsleigh during Winter Olympic finals before retiring in 2002.

Since his ascension, he has been outspoken in the field of environmentalism and an advocate of ocean conservation, and adoption of renewable energy sources to tackle global climate change, and founded Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2006, to directly raise funds and initiate action for such causes and greater ecological preservation.

Well, of course he’s married with 4 children. Albert married Charlene Wittstock, a South African Olympic swimmer and together they had twins. Apparently, before his marriage, the prince was busting nuts in whores all over the world having at least three claimants with illegitimate children (two he fathered). You got to respect a man who goes bareback with no care. At least if he does it with me he doesn’t have to worry about illegitimate children.

Royal Birthdays for today, December 12th:

Albert II, Duke of Austria, 1298

Anne of Denmark, Queen of England/Ireland/Scotland, 1574

Charles Alexander of Lorraine, Governor of the Austrian Netherlands, 1712

Leopoldine Marie of Anhalt-Dessau, Margravine of Brandenburg-Schwedt, 1716

Marie Louise of Austria, Empress of the French/Duchess of Parma, 1791

Şevkefza Sultan, Valide Sultan, 1820

Maria Cristina of Spain, Countess Marone-Cinzano, 1911

Alexandrine-Louise of Denmark, Countess of Castell-Castell, 1914