Even way down here on the south Texas frontier we were not untouched by the royal gossip surrounding Monaco. We were moved with the tragic passing of Princess Grace and admired the devotion to duty of Prince Ranier and the courage of Princess Caroline in dealing with her illness. For my older sister the young Prince Albert was her "Prince Charming" who she day-dreamed of swooping down and sweeping her off to a life of style and high living. Being the young rebel of my own family I cast my eye on the wild Princess Stephanie and even at my young age as an 80's baby identified her as one of the earliest "babes" in my memory.
Over the years I eventually became an avowed royalist and a Roman Catholic and Monaco always kept its place of distinction in my heart, both for the emotional reasons associated with my childhood, but also because I later learned the history of Monaco and the roots it had with the Guelf faction of that colorful period of Renaissance Italian history so dear to my heart. I have also always had a fondness for the micro-states of Europe, which might be a result of the way Texans always admire the under-dog; the little guy who does not act his size.
There is also something to be said for the very human story of modern Monaco, taking up with the arrival of Princess Grace when most Americans started paying attention and who, by many accounts, was the one most often credited with putting Monaco on the map in a way. Everyone adored Princess Grace, that icon of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and everyone was sad at her untimely end. We all felt for the family and shared in their sorrow to some extent and we all paid attention to how the family managed afterwards. In all of their triumphs and troubles people learned that human beings are the same all over and all have the same sorts of problems; highs and lows.
Time has caused some of these feelings and ties to grow weaker but I, for one, hope they never totally go away. I maintain that the U.S. is on some emotional level a little better off because of the ties with "our" half American princely family in Monaco. There will always be differing views and sometimes, as with any family, the actions of some may be disappointing, but you love them anyway and keep going through it all; good times and bad. You also tend to make allowances for failings in your own family and amongst your own relatives that you might not be so big about in others. In my case at least you also tend to be more understanding about those you know well. Thanks to the many tabloids, news reports and gossip columns we know the Grimaldis pretty well and I know I tend to be more understanding of some of the odd choices of certain members because we know they have endured some very hard times and trust that, deep down, these are good people who are trying to do their best, be kind to others and find some happiness for themselves along the way. In any event, I hope this tribute site on Monaco will be enjoyed by all who visit its pages. -Bones
Prince Ranier III
Princess Grace
Prince Albert II
Princess Caroline
Princess Stephanie
Princess Antoinette
The Next Generation
Andrea Casiraghi
Charlotte Casiraghi
Pierre Casiraghi
Monaco Honors
The Church in Monaco
Monegasque Avatars
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