HSH Prince Albert II serves as Honorary Chair of One Drop event in Las Vegas March 25, 2013
Posted by jonathanwarren in Consul of Monaco, Consulate of Monaco, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Consular Corps, Mayor Goodman, Monegasques in the USA, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Principality of Monaco, Uncategorized.Tags: cirque du soleil, Consulate, Guy Lliberte, Las Vegas, Monaco, Principality
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The Sovereign Prince of Monaco lent his influence to the cause of potable water and sanitation development Friday night.
When Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberté asked HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco to be the Honorary Chairman of the One Night for One Drop event at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Prince quickly agreed. Consul Warren joined other attendees at the VIP cocktail reception at Hyde at Bellagio in viewing a special video greeting from His Serene Highness.
The participation of the Prince is more that simply a kind gesture for a friend. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation maintains water issues as a primary area of focus. Mr. Laliberté and Prince Albert II have worked together on the matter much.
Las Vegas Monaco Private Label friends Dr. and Mrs. Grover with Monaco resident Ross McBride and Consul Warren at the One Night for One Drop VIP Reception
One Night for One drop was a tremendous success. The event drew thousands. Many not only attended the show, but also the VIP Cocktail Reception at Hyde at Ballagio, and the after-party which ran until 1:00 a.m. There the pool was covered with a transparent floor and tented, housing a luxurious venue for musical acts, sumptuous culinary delights and libations.
More on the work of One Drop and the Prince Albert II Foundation:
Notes From the Archivist: A Historic Weekend in Monaco February 20, 2013
Posted by bjpayne2003 in Consul of Monaco, Consulate of Monaco, Grace Kelly, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Consular Corps, Monaco Royal Wedding, Monegasques in the USA, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Princess Grace of Monaco, Principality of Monaco.Tags: artifacts, Consulate, Monaco, Monaco Royal Family, Nevada Consular Corps, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Grace of Monaco, Principality, rare coins
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A rare silver 1/6 écu of Honoré II dated 1658
With wide ranging options for first-class entertainment, dining and shopping it sometimes can be easy to forget the historical side of a visit to Monaco. While the most visible link to the past, the Prince’s Palace, is a must-stop on any itinerary, this site along with a few landmarks on le Rocher may be all the casual visitor gets to see of Monaco’s history. If your historical interest runs a bit deeper, you may be curious to hear a bit about a less well known but very tangible link to Monaco’s past – the history of the Principality’s early coinage.You may not suspect a nation of Monaco’s size to have such a numismatic legacy, however Monaco’s early Princes were eager to assert the independence of the Principality and a key part of this was the right to mint their own coinage. Not coincidentally, the first Prince, Honoré II, was also the first to begin minting in Monaco in 1640. With just one significant break in the period from 1735-1837, Monaco has continued to issue a varied and rich series of coins into the modern era.
A 1674 écu of Louis I bearing the arms of the Principality
For anyone intrigued by this part of Monaco’s history, a weekend in December 2012 provided something of a treat. Three major events over two days allowed a rare glimpse at Monaco’s past. The centerpiece of the schedule was a very special exhibition celebrating the 500th anniversary of the wide recognition of Monaco’s independence. Featuring items loaned from the Palace Archives as well as several European museums, visitors were granted the opportunity to view items that are rarely, if ever, on view. These included correspondence of Monaco’s early rulers (the title Prince first being used in 1612), as well as the 1512 decree from France’s Louis XII recognizing the independence and sovereignty of Monaco.
The exhibition was hosted at the Musée des Monnaies et Timbres (The Coin and Stamp Museum), a small but exquisite museum tucked away in Monaco’s Fontvieille district. Though the exhibition provided an added bonus, a visit here anytime is fascinating; the Princely Collection housed here is unrivaled in the world.
On Saturday, December 1st, the well known Monaco firm of Éditions V. Gadoury (www.gadoury.com) organized a superb auction of rare coins from ancient to modern times. A highlight of the sale was a collection of rare early Monaco pieces, one of the largest such collections to come to auction in a century. From the earliest coins of the Honoré II through the centuries to the likeness of the iconic Princess Grace, the collection was a history of the Principality in miniature. All of Monaco’s early coinage is scarce and most of the denominations and years are extremely rare; the auction featured several coins of which 2 or fewer examples were known to exist.
A 1966 piece celebrating the 10th wedding anniversary of TSH Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace
Rounding out the events was the annual Monaco coin fair on Sunday, December 2nd. Dealers from around Europe saw brisk sales in all areas of coin collecting. Additionally, postcards, early photographs and paper items were to be found. Happily, this event is now on annual basis and will be held again in 2013 in conjunction with another auction by Éditions V. Gadoury. The auction is scheduled for Saturday, November 30th with the coin fair to follow on Sunday, December 1st.
Notes from the Archivist – A Periodic Look at Monegasque History January 5, 2013
Posted by bjpayne2003 in Consul of Monaco, Consulate of Monaco, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Consular Corps, Monegasques in the USA, Principality of Monaco.Tags: archives, archivist, Brad Payne, Consulate, history, Las Vegas, legacy, Monaco, Monaco Royal Family, monegasque, Principality
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A recent trip to Monaco afforded the opportunity to hunt for historic finds in and around the Principality. And indeed, an interesting piece was discovered – one that we thought we would share with friends of the Honorary Consulate in Las Vegas. At just over 2 ft. square and just shy of 200 lbs, this cast iron crest features the Principality’s coat-of-arms.
You may notice some subtle differences however, as this is a slightly earlier form and one most common prior to the 19th century. The piece is believed to have come from a collection in Menton, so it may originate from the area east of the current borders of the Principality. You may recall that prior to 1848 both Menton and Roquebrune were part of Monaco’s lands and the Principality was, consequently, significantly larger than what we know today – see the c. 1840 map below.
This type of cast iron plate was sometimes used as a ‘fireback’, set into the back of large chimneys in order to help radiate heat out into a room. This may indeed be what this piece is, but unfortunately we don’t have any idea where it came from. Another possibility is simply an architectural ornament, set into a gate or wall – it does show signs of having been exposed to the elements for at least some period of time.
As we continue to research the original context, we welcome the insight of anyone who may recognize the piece or one like it.
Embassy Announces 2013 Visit of Prince Albert II to Wyoming September 28, 2012
Posted by jonathanwarren in Consul of Monaco, Consulate of Monaco, Monegasques in the USA, Nevada Consular Corps, Prince Albert II of Monaco.Tags: Buffalo Bill, Camp Monaco, Consulate, Monaco, Nevada Consular Corps, Prince Alber I
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Consul Warren addresses Buffalo Bill Historical Center Patrons Ball
Cody, Wyoming to host the Sovereign next year
Nancy Roe, Treasurer of the Prince Albert II Foundation USA and Consul Jonathan Warren at the Camp Monaco exhibit at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody WY
Filling in for Ambassador Noghes who was called away on affairs of State, Consul Jonathan Warren spoke on Friday, Sept 22, 2012 to the distinguished attendees of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center Annual Patron’s Ball in Cody, Wyoming.
The Consul announced on behalf of the Ambassador that HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has accepted the invitation of the Center and will be attending the Patrons Ball next year. The visit will mark the 100-year anniversary of the 1913 visit of Prince Albert I to Wyoming. It will also commemorate the earlier Prince’s establishment of Camp Monaco in the Shoshone Forest with Buffalo Bill Cody. Camp Monaco was Buffalo Bill’s last great hunting camp, and is a major exhibit within the Buffalo Bill Museum today.
Consul Jonathan Warren and Wyoming Governor Matt Mead at the BBHC Patrons Ball, Cody, Wyoming September 2013
The royal visit in 2013 will mark the launch of an annual prize to be given in biodiversity study of the greater Yellowstone system, in cooperation with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Distinguished guests included Vice President Cheney, Senator Alan Simpson, Governor Matt Mead, Susan Eisenhower and many others. Consul Warren’s brother, Buffalo Bill scholar and author of Buffalo Bill’s America: William Cody and the Wild West Show, Professor Louis Warren was invited by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center as well. Professor Warren gave interviews and enjoyed the hospitality of Cody with Consul Warren.
ENTIRE SPEECH GIVEN BY CONSUL WARREN
Professor Louis Warren, General Tim White, Consul Jonathan Warren at Camp Monaco Trailhead Lodge, Cody, Wyoming
Mr. Vice President, Governors, Congressmen, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
Thank you for allowing me a few moments to speak on behalf of His Excellency Ambassador Noghés, who deeply regrets that he could not be with us here tonight.
If you have not met the Ambassador, I hope you have the opportunity to do so very soon. He is a wonderful career diplomat and the first Ambassador of Monaco ever accredited to the United States.
Ambassador Noghés is passionate about Wyoming and about the long relationship between the Principality and the American west. In fact, the Ambassador worked to re-open the Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas and to make it serve Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming.
The Consulate was first opened in 1956, after Prince Rainier III appointed Captain Henry Leigh Hunt to the post. Captain Hunt’s consular immunities were signed into recognition of the Law of Nations by President Dwight Eisenhower, whose distinguished granddaughter graces the very table at which I dine tonight. Ambassador Noghés intends to build on this legacy.
And now to the Ambassador’s remarks:
Distinguished Guests and dear friends of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center,
I trust our dear Consul Jonathan Warren, whose brother is Louis Warren, the famous Bill Cody’s historian, will express my regrets better than I could, for not being with you tonight at the Patron’s Ball.
As you may know, 2013 will be a special year for us all as we will celebrate, with enormous pride and pleasure, the centennial of the visit to Cody of one of our most illustrious princes of Monaco. Albert I, the Scholarly Prince and co-founder of oceanography, came in September 1913 to Cody and went Hunting with the Iconic Buffalo Bill.
Dear friends, I have the distinct honor of informing you that Prince Albert II of Monaco, his great, great-grandson, has accepted the kind invitation of the governor and the Board of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center to participate in his celebration and will be present here next year!
I wish to thank the members of the Board who are wonderful friends in the venture, among them: Chairman Collier, Mrs. Naoma Tate and Ambassador Bodini. I would like also to salute some of the exceptional partners: Dr. Bruce Eldredge, Executive Director and CEO of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Dr. Charles Preston, founding Curator of the Draper Museum of Natural History and General Tim White, Director of Content and Programming, who is my most precious adviser.
Like William Cody, Prince Albert I was a visionary. He was concerned with the deforestation and also overfishing the oceans. In the same way, Prince Albert II has become a formidable advocate of the environment. One of the reasons for that is that he spent many vacations in American summer camps when was younger. Six years ago he created the Prince Albert II Foundation which is represented here tonight by a distinguished member of its US Board, Mrs. Nancy Roe.
Prince Albert II and his foundation have recently decided to honor the biodiversity in the greater Yellowstone system by awarding, for the first time next year, an important price of biodiversity which will soon be announced. in our minds, there will be no better way to pay tribute to this extraordinary ecosystem and to the pioneers who understood its immense value for mankind.
Dear friends, in 1913, Prince Albert I and Bill Cody created Camp Monaco in the Shoshone Forest. the tree trunk where the name of the camp was engraved is in the Buffalo Bill Museum today. This has created a permanent link between Wyoming and Monaco and long lasting friendship which is worth celebrating – with panache!
I look forward to celebrating this centennial with you next year. In the meantime, I wish you a very pleasant night at the Patron’s Ball.
Thank you,
Gilles Noghes
Ambassador of HSH the Prince of Monaco
Cocktails at the Consulate hosts Ambassador of Monaco, Officials, Consulate supporters July 2, 2012
Posted by jonathanwarren in Consul of Monaco, Consulate of Monaco, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Consular Corps, Monegasques in the USA, Nevada Consular Corps, Principality of Monaco.Tags: Consulate, Las Vegas, Monaco, monegasque, Monte Carlo, Nevada Consular Corps, Principality
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Visiting dignitaries meet with local friends of the Consulate
H.E. Ambassador Gilles Noghès, Deputy Chief of Mission Lorenzo Ravano, Casino Monte Carlo Director Patrice Solamito, Casino Monte Carlo Public Relations officer Michel Marchese, and Monaco Director of Conventions and Tourism Guillaume Rose were among the dignitaries hosted at the Consular Residence for a cocktail with supporters of the Consulate, on the evening of June 15th in Las Vegas.
Consul General Gary Furlong (Uzbekistan), DCM of Monaco Lorenzo Ravano, vice-Consul Tomas Abreu (Monaco-Miami), Chief of Protocol J. Kathleen von Schaefer, Consul Terry Murphy (Ireland), Ambassador Gilles Noghes, Consul Lena Walther (Sweden), Consul Jonathan Warren (Monaco), Consul Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl (Chile), Count Deiro, Consul General Maguey Maccario (Monaco-NYC), Consul Tom Horn (Monaco-SF), Aner Iglesias (El Salvador)
The evening was hosted by Jonathan Warren, Honorary Consul of Monaco in Las Vegas, Consul Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile in Las Vegas and Baroness J. Kathleen von Schaefer, Chief of Protocol for the Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas, at the Consular Residence. Local supporters of the Consulate, as well as members of the Nevada Consular Corps enjoyed an evening of cocktails and celebration after a series of successful meetings and events in Las Vegas.
Other attending members of the Consular Corps included Consul Terry Murphy (Ireland), Consul Aner Iglesias (El Salvador), Consul Lena Walther (Sweden) and Consul General Gary Furlong (Uzbekistan).
Supporters of the Consulate present included Official Archivist of the Consulate Bradley Payne and Mrs. Payne; Opera stars Marco Verela and Betsy Ann Fiore; music director Mark Wherry and Mrs. Elena Wherry, Cultural Advisor Surya Bonaly, financial advisor Felix Danciu of Elmcore Group, and of course the Chief of Protocol Baroness J. Kathleen von Schaefer. Support for the evening and all of the previous events also came from Tuxedo Junction, Haberdasher and Sartorial Advisor to the Consulate and from Earth Limos, Official Transportation Provider for the Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas. Las Vegas community leader Steve Schorr was instrumental in arranging much of the Consulate events over three days.
Other local friends and dignitaries included the incoming President of the Nevada Public Health Association, Dr. Christina Madison. Col. Annette Whiteside, President of the Las Vegas World Affairs Council, joined the festivities. Las Vegas institutions and dear friends of the Consul, Count G. Robert Deiro and Countess Deiro also greeted the guests. Consuls representing six consulates of Monaco in the USA were also in attendance.
The finale of the evening was when Ambassador Noghés and Counselor Lorenzo Ravano joined Las Vegas opera stars Marco Varela and Betsy Fiore to perform a performance of O Sole Mio.
Las Vegas hosts Embassy and Consulates of Monaco for annual meeting July 1, 2012
Posted by jonathanwarren in Consul of Monaco, Consulate of Monaco, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Consular Corps, Monegasques in the USA, Nevada Consular Corps.Tags: Ambassador Gilles Noghes, Consular Corps, Consulate, Las Vegas, Monaco, monegasque, Nevada Consular Corps, Principality
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Ambassador Gilles Noghés makes first official visit of any ambassador of Monaco to Nevada
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Consuls of Monaco from around US convene with Ambassador at Wynn
In 1955, famed Parisian author and former Las Vegan Louise de Vilmorin visited Monaco to receive a literary award from HSH Prince Rainier III. Three days later her husband, Henry Leigh Hunt of Las Vegas, was tapped to be the first Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Las Vegas. Hunt was the first consul of any foreign state based in Nevada. His appointment came at the end of a long and illustrious career. Consul Hunt retired in 1963.
Las Vegas Meeting of the Embassy and Consuls of Monaco: vice-Consul Tomas Abreu, Deputy Chief of Mission Lorenzo Ravano, vice-Consul Raffaella De Laruentiis, Consul Calvin Fayard, Ambassador Gilles Noghes, Consul Thomas Horn, Consul General Maguey Maccario, vice-Consul Ale Gicqueau, Consul Jonathan Warren, Consul Charles Battle (not pictured)
In 2006 His Excellency Gilles Noghès became the first Ambassador of Monaco accredited to the United States. Ambassador Noghès worked to increase consular representation of Monaco in the United States, including recommending the 2010 appointment of Consul Jonathan Warren in Las Vegas. The appointment returned the Consulate of Monaco to Las Vegas after a forty-seven year hiatus.
On June 14th, 2012, the Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas hosted the first meeting of the Consulates of Monaco to take place outside of Washington, D.C. Seven consulates joined the Ambassador Noghès and Deputy Chief of Mission Lorenzo Ravano at the Wynn Resort for their annual meeting.
Participating consuls included Consul General Maguey Maccario (New York), Consul Thomas Horn (San Francisco), Consul Charles Battle (Atlanta), Consul Calvin Fayard (New Orleans), Consul, vice-Consul Tomas Abreu (Miami), vice-Consul Raffaella De Laurentiis (Los Angeles) and Consul Jonathan Warren from Las Vegas. Following the meeting, the consuls and Ambassador were joined by special guests for lunch in the Villa.
Embassy of Monaco Luncheon with Special Guests: Baroness Kathleen von Schaefer, Buzz Feitschans, Karla Modolo, Ambassador Noghes, Frances Fayard, Counselor Lorenzo Ravano, Alina Gicqueau, Consul Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl, vice-Consul Tomas Abrea, Consul Calvin Fayard, vice-Consul Raffaella De Laurentiis, Andre Bilodeau, Consul Thomas Horn, Consul General Maguey Maccario, Mr. Guillaume Rose, vice-Consul Ale Gicqueau, Mr. Michel Bouquier, Consul Jonathan Warren
In addition to consular meeting, the group was hosted by the Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Dolphin Habitat and Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy, led by Siegfried and Roy themselves. Consul Warren hosted the group at a cocktail reception at the consular residence, as well as tours of the Smith Center and Springs Preserve before taking participants to Phantom the Las Vegas Spectacular, including a meeting of with cast members.
Photos by Adam Silversmith
Consulate Hosts Historic Las Vegas Visit of Ambassador and Consuls of Monaco June 21, 2012
Posted by jonathanwarren in Consul of Monaco, Consulate of Monaco, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Consular Corps, Monegasques in the USA, Nevada Consular Corps, Principality of Monaco.Tags: Consular Corps, Las Vegas, Monaco, Monaco Private Label, monegasque, Monte Carlo
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Exclusive Monaco Private Label dinner welcomes Las Vegas society.
Ambassador of Monaco receives Key to the City of Las Vegas.
H.E. Gilles Noghès, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the United States and Canada, was welcomed in Las Vegas on June 14, 2012 by Consul Jonathan Warren.
Mayor Pro Tem of Las Vegas Stavros Anthony and Consul of Monaco in Las Vegas Jonathan Warren presenting the Key to the City of Las Vegas to Ambassador Gilles Noghes.
The arrival represents the first official visit to Nevada of the first Ambassador of Monaco ever accredited to the United States. It was also the first official visit of any Ambassador of Monaco to the Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas, which was first opened in 1956.
The Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas and the Embassy of Monaco in Washington, DC worked closely with Mr. Michel Bouquier, Special Economic Advisor to the Government of Monaco, to host the first Monaco Private Label dinner in Las Vegas. Monaco Private Label was introduced by the Principality in 2010 to offer special access, of a level and nature which money alone can not buy, to very special visitors to Monaco. Members must be invited by a consul or ambassador of the Principality. Twenty Las Vegans were presented with the honor.
Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Las Vegas, Stavros Anthony, awarded the Ambassador the Key to the City of Las Vegas. Mayor Pro Tem Anthony cited the Ambassador’s work, with the approval of HSH Prince Albert II, to re-open the Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas by appointing Las Vegan Jonathan Warren as Honorary Consul in 2010. The Consulate had been moved to Los Angeles 47 years earlier when Consul Henry Leigh Hunt retired in 1963.
Consul Jonathan Warren with Steve Wynn at MPL Dinner
The event took place within Thriller Villa at Hacienda Palomino, the former Las Vegas residence of Michael Jackson. security was high as fifty-five guests, including such Las Vegas notables as Steve Wynn, Sig Rogich, Richard Goeglein, Steve Schorr, Aner Iglesias, Marykaye Cashman, Vera Goulet and Monaco Grand Prix champion Enrico Bertaggia joined the Embassy delegation as well as Mr. Patrice Solamito, Director of the Casino Monte Carlo and Guillaume Rose, Monaco Director of Conventions and Tourism. Seven consuls of Monaco were present, including the Honorable Maguey Maccario, Consul General of Monaco in New York, the senior consular officer of Monaco in the United States.
The evening opened and closed with opera by tenor Marco Varela and soprano Betsy Fiore, with harpist Kim DeLibero during dinner.
Photos by IM Photography
Las Vegas to host Monaco US Consular Corps, Inaugural Visit of Ambassador April 24, 2012
Posted by jonathanwarren in Consul of Monaco, Las Vegas, Monegasques in the USA, Prince Albert II of Monaco.Tags: Consulate, Las Vegas, Monaco, Nevada Consular Corps, Principality
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Wynn Resorts to be venue for meeting of Monaco consuls from all areas of US
First official visit of a Monaco Ambassador to Las Vegas as H.E. Gilles Noghès presides over conference
The Consular Corps of the Principality of Monaco in the United States has chosen Las Vegas as the venue for it annual meeting on June 15th, 2012.
Monaco Consular Corps in the USA
Normally taking place in Washington, D.C, the venue for the meeting was changed this year when the Embassy decided to instead gather the US consuls in the West. Las Vegas won the conference after the Las Vegas Consulate lobbied its colleagues and the Embassy for the June 15 meeting. The Consulates chose Las Vegas in a vote, and will be arriving from all over the US, led by H.E. Ambassador Gilles Noghès.
Ambassador Gilles Noghes
Ambassador Noghés will make his first official visit to Nevada to preside over the conference. This visit also marks the first time any Ambassador of Monaco has officially visited Las Vegas. The Ambassador, whose father was the founder of the legendary Monaco Grand Prix, has led a long and distinguished diplomatic career and was previously Ambassador of Monaco to the United Nations.
The Las Vegas Consulate of Monaco will play host to the visiting dignitaries, introducing them to Las Vegas officials, personalities, history and culture. Consulates represented include Boston, New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The entire team of the Consulate of Monaco in Las Vegas is excited to be involved as the local Consulate prepares the program for the visit.
A Portrait of Friendships: Sinatra and the Royals August 16, 2011
Posted by jonathanwarren in Consul of Monaco, Grace Kelly, Las Vegas, Monegasques in the USA, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Princess Grace of Monaco.Tags: Grace Kelly, Monaco, Monaco Royal Family, monegasque, Monte Carlo, Princess Grace of Monaco, Principality
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Alejo Vidal-Quadras and Princess Grace
Alejo Vidal-Quadras was one of the great portrait painters of the 20th century. His subjects included royals, celebrities and great personalities of his time. In the 1950’s he painted three portraits of Princess Grace of Monaco, one of which included young Princess Caroline and Prince Albert.
A favorite of many is Vidal-Quadras’s triple portrait of Princess Grace. One little-known fact about this sketch is that it was actually done at the home of Frank Sinatra, during a visit there by the Prince and Princess of Monaco.
“A few years later, she asked me to draw a triple portrait of her as a Christmas present to the Sovereign Prince. Whilst looking for a date to do the drawing we realized that we would be together, at the same time, in Los Angeles. The Prince and Princess were going to spend a few days in Palm Springs at Frank Sinatra’s. I myself had an exhibition in Beverly Hills. Hence it was decided that I would do the triple drawing at Frank Sinatra’s home.
“On another occasion, in Monaco, to facilitate the settings for little Prince Albert and Princess Caroline, when I was painting their portraits, Princess Grace read them fairy stories. We were in the nursery. To listen to her was a real pleasure, she used her acting talents and the children were fascinated. One of the stories was about Christmas, and the little Princess Caroline, aged four, suddenly interrupted her mother, “Mummy, tell me please, does Father Christmas live near my Palace?” – alejovidalquadras.com
We did it our way: Lyrical Connections of Monte Carlo and Las Vegas August 14, 2011
Posted by jonathanwarren in Grace Kelly, Las Vegas, Monaco Royal Wedding, Monegasques in the USA, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Princess Grace of Monaco.Tags: Claude Francois, Frank Sinatra, Las Vegas, Monaco, monegasque, Monte Carlo, Princess Grace of Monaco, Royal Wedding
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Claude Francoise on a Monaco yacht, 1966
Claude “Cloclo” François spent his childhood in Egypt, before moving with his parents to Monte Carlo when he was 17, in 1956. Having had natural talent and musical training all his youth, François was soon to start a meteoric rise to stardom.
Sinatra in Monaco, 1958
1956 was a bustling time in the Principality. Prince Rainier III and Academy Award-winning actress Grace Kelly had just been married. The wedding celebrations took place to the flashes of hundreds of press photographers. The event was covered in spectacular style by the acclaimed French poet and author Louise de Vilmorin, a former resident of Las Vegas, on assignment for Marie Claire Magazine and invited by the Royal couple.
Stars of Hollywood and Las Vegas were often seen in Monte Carlo. Frank Sinatra, then a part-owner of the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, had co-starred with Grace Kelly in the movie “High Society” which was released in 1956. He frequented Monaco with friends, as did many other entertainers.
Claude François started his musical career in this energized environment, in the orchestras of Monaco and the French Riviera, and quickly moved into the pop music scene. Often called the ‘French Elvis’, he had great success before opening his own stage production and record company, in 1967 at the age of 27, in Paris.
It was then that François and Jacques Revaux wrote a song in French called Comme d’habitude (“As Usual”), which became a huge hit in Francophile countries.
Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka re-wrote the lyrics in English for an American audience in 1970, as the song “My Way”. It became the identifying song of both Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra during their long-standing residencies in Las Vegas.
Elvis Presley had a long-running show at the Las Vegas Hilton until he died in Las Vegas in 1977. Claude François died of an accidental electrocution seven months later. Only Frank Sinatra continued to sing the song.
Anka’s rendition, written with Sinatra in mind, came to define the man. His star-studded 80th birthday party was titled: “Sinatra: 80 Years My Way.” On the night of his death at the age of 82 in 1998, the lights on the Las Vegas Strip went dark for ten minutes, in tribute.
Claude Francois and the Claudettes, 1966
Claude François had become known as the “King of Kitsch” in some circles for his flashy shows in his later career. His showmanship and style now has him making something of a posthumous comeback. A film of his life is soon to be released, partially filmed in the Principality of Monaco.
Honorary Consulate of the Principality of Monaco in Las Vegas 