LIVE: Prince Albert Attends the Oscars

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco graced the 84th Academy Awards ceremony with their presence tonight. Just a few moments ago they stop to speak with ABC’s News Correspondent Robin Roberts. Albert expressed his happiness of being there as it is his first Oscar attendance.

Albert and Charlene are guests of Robert Iger, Disney’s president and chief executive.

Grace Kelly, Prince Albert’s mother, won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1955 for Country Girl.

Photo: Reuters

Religious Wedding Ceremony of Prince Albert

Archbishop Bernard Barsi, Head Chaplain of the Prince's Palace, blessed the royal nuptials between Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene at 5:00 pm today in the Palace of Monaco’s main courtyard. The bride wore an off-white silk duchesse Giorgio Armani Privé wedding dress with an off-white silk tulle veil. Her wedding bouquet consisted of freesias, dendrobium orchids and lilies of the valley. Albert dressed in the summer uniform of the Palace Guards. The couple exchanged 18 carat white gold platinum wedding bands designed by Cartier.

Photo: Reuters

Prince Albert Sets Wedding Date

Monaco’s Prince Albert will wed Charlene Wittstock in a civil ceremony at the Princely Palace of Monaco on July 8, 2011. The religious wedding ceremony will transpire the following day. The official announcement can be read here.

Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco

Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock Finally Get Engaged

The Palace of Monaco announced today the engagement of Prince Albert II to Charlene Wittstock. The couple first met at a swimming competition in 2000. Below is the press statement released from the Prince’s Palace of Monaco.

The Palace of Monaco announced on Wednesday 23 June 2010 the engagement of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Ms Charlene Wittstock.

HSH Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Marquis des Baux, was born on 14 March 1958.

His Highness is the son of Prince Rainier III, Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi (31 May 1923 - 6 April 2005) and Princess Grace, née Kelly (12 November 1929 - 14 September 1982).

HSH Prince Albert II succeeded His father, Prince Rainier III, 12 July 2005.

Ms Charlene Lynette Wittstock is of South African nationality and was born on 25 January 1978 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Before settling in Monaco, Charlene Lynette Wittstock was a youth worker.

Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco

Liechtenstein’s Prince Alois Excoriates Germany’s Tax Investigation

Prince Alois of Liechtenstein excoriated the recent actions of Germany to expose tax evaders that have accounts in his country. Based on stolen data from the LGT Group, a bank owned by Liechtenstein’s royal family, several prominent businessmen have undergone closer scrutiny from their governments. Andorra and Monaco are two other countries that are considered uncooperative tax havens.

Two reputable newspapers discussed the tax haven issue when Liechtenstein came under fire recently for their banking policies. The Wall Street Journal opined that it was not right for other governments to criticise Liechtenstein for protecting their clients. The New York Times opined that Liechtenstein had no right protecting tax evaders and should cough up the necessary information when other governments request it.

What is considered ethical? Is it right to use monetary means to obtain stolen data in order to catch the tax evaders? Should tax havens be held accountable for the business dealings of their clients? Is it right to demand documents from other countries which do not disclose the banking practices of their clients?

You be the judge.

Princess Haya of Jordan Elected IOC Member

On July 7th, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, president of the Federation Equestre Internationale, was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee. She will act as an IOC representative in the United Arab Emirates. In her acceptance speech, she recalled her desire at an early age to become a part of the elite sporting body, saying: "Since the age of six I have followed the spirit of Olympism and dreamt of serving the Olympic Family. Now I have been honoured by the trust of the IOC through their election of me to their membership.”

Since 1999, the IOC term of office for all members was mandated to eight years, subject to review and renewal through re-election every eight years thereafter. Several royal members were up for renewal this year including: The Prince of Orange, Prince Albert of Monaco and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.