Monaco’s palace shines in new splendor. That’s why fans were able to experience Charlène up close as an art expert of the Renaissance.
Monaco – As nice as it may be to live in the palace of the rock state above the rooftops of Monte Carlo on the Côte d’Azur coast, it comes at a price. “We had to restore the frescoes in the courtyard because they had suffered from the sea air,” reports Prince Albert (65) in an exclusive interview with the Hello!-Magazine. “After the initial discoveries, we decided to extend the investigation to the rest of the palace.” This is how a difficult project began, which now – eight years later – is obviously special Charlene of Monaco (45) makes happy.
Thick layers of paint obscured 16th-century Italian Renaissance frescoes
It was a long and complex project – similar to one of the twelve Labors of Hercules that adorn the main courtyard of the Monegasque palace. In an interview, the sovereign reports why he could no longer postpone the restoration and how the work apparently developed into a hobby for his wife and children. “We discovered extraordinary things, like the throne room ceiling, which is one of the last major interior works. Maybe we’ll have more surprises.”
Charlène was enthusiastic and happy that the work could be carried out, the prince reports from his art-loving wife. “Last year she showed some of her guests the State Rooms and thoroughly enjoyed showing them the frescoes. It shows how much she cares about the project and wants to share our family’s joy in these beautiful works.”
Palais Prince of Monaco
The Prince’s Palace in Monaco (French Palais Princier de Monaco), also known as the Prince’s Palace of the Grimaldis, is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco.
This palace has been occupied by the head of state of Monaco and the rest of the royal family since the 13th century. The princely palace is partially open to tourists, you can visit, among other things, the throne room and the chapel. Prince Albert II resides in the palace premises with his wife Princess Charlène, formerly known as the professional swimmer Charlene Wittstock, and their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
The interior of the palace, called the Grands Appartements, reveals the mysteries of the past through historical heritage. A Napoleonic museum and the archives of the palace can also be visited.
A special experience is the changing of the guard in front of the palace.
Charlène’s enthusiasm makes the country and its people proud of its history
To do this, you have to go back to the most glorious chapters of Monegasque history, where the majestic settings of the main courtyard, the Hercules gallery and the throne room were the scene of famous weddings and sumptuous receptions. Unknown to the residents, the princes and princesses of the Grimaldi dynasty, these rooms housed for centuries a treasure of incomparable value: frescoes from the Italian Renaissance painted in the 16th century by artists influenced by Michelangelo and Raphael were.
Due to the different tastes of the various rulers of Monaco, the works fell into oblivion and were covered by several layers of paint. But after eight years of meticulous restoration and restoration work carried out by an international team of experts, the mythological scenes of more than 600 square meters of exceptional quality finally shine again in their original splendor. If that’s not the stuff that recently inspired the eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella (8), who live in the fairytale setting. The fact that Charlène took on the task of personally showing her guests the palace after a long absence was unusual at the time of her return. The prospect of being given a tour by Charlène in person is sure to attract many more fans to the Grimaldi estate. Sources used: hellomagazin.com
