Monegasque mini-mes! Prince Albert and Princess Charlene’s twins, Gabriella and Jacques, eight, don almost identical outfits to their parents as the family celebrates Monaco National Day

• READ MORE: Princess Charlene looks stylish in navy leather-trim gilet as she attends Monaco’s Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with Prince Albert 

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert donned patriotic attire to celebrate the National Day of her adopted country on Sunday – and their two children followed suit. 

Arriving with Prince Albert, 65, for mass at Monaco Cathedral this morning, South African-born Monegasque royal Princess Charlene, 45, wore an all-red ensemble, with her husband in full military regalia. 

The couple’s two children, twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, eight, weren’t seen with their parents at the mass – but did make an adorable balcony appearance later on, appearing in outfits that rendered them mini-mes of their parents.  

Mother-of-two Charlene, 45, donned an elegant red pillbox hat, with a double breasted dresscoat over a red dress and suede knee-high boots in the same shade. 

The royal even extended the colour to her earrings, wearing a pair of diamond and ruby floral jewels that glinted in the bright Monaco sunshine.

Little Princess Gabriella opted for an almost identical outfit but in navy, with smart black patent shoes. And young Prince Jacques wore a military uniform similar to his father’s for the formal occasion.

Royal waves: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene are joined by Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella during the celebrations marking Monaco’s National Day in Monaco

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene led the Monaco royals on the balcony at Monaco Palace, before bringing their twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques out to say hello

Prince Jacques appeared to need a little cajoling to offer a wave to the crowds

A little gentle persuasion from their father seemed to engage the siblings into waving

A smiling Prince Albert looks at the crowds below as his two young twins take centre stage

The family were immaculately attired for the principality’s annual celebrations; with Prince Albert waving at well-wishers as Charlene, Princess Gabriella, far left, and Prince Jacques (third from left) and Princess Caroline of Hanover look on

Charlene holds daughter Gabriella’s hand as her son Jacques makes a formal salute 

Seeing red! While Prince Albert of Monaco, 65, donned military uniform on Monaco’s National Day, Princess Charlene, 45, reflected the flag of her adopted country in her all-red outfit

Monaco glamour: Pierre Casiraghi, top right, and his wife Beatrice Borromeo (top left) with their sons Stefano Ercole Carlo (right) and Francesco Carlo Albert (left)

A princely salute: Stood next to his mother, Prince Jacques in a black, blue and red uniform offers a salute at the royal palace

Just like dad: Wearing an almost identical uniform, Prince Jacques follows his father’s lead with a salute

Princess Charlene leans down to chat to her daughter Princess Gabriella

The principality’s leader pictured as he arrived at the ceremony to mark Monaco’s National Day

National Monaco Day is also known as The Sovereign Prince’s Day, and the date of the celebration is chosen by the reigning Prince.

Traditionally, the Princes chose the day of the saint they are named after. 

But when Prince Albert inherited the title, he decided to choose the same day as his father rather than the day of Saint Albert, which would have been November 15.

It is typically celebrated with fireworks over the harbour the evening before, and a mass in Monte Carlo the next morning.

The couple were also joined by other European royals including Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

Caroline’s youngest son, Pierre Casiraghi and his wife Beatrice Borromeo, and their sons Stefano Casiraghi and Francesco Casiraghi also took to the balcony to wave at those gathered below. 

Donning a stylish red pillbox hat; the royal even extended the colour scheme to her earrings, a beautiful pair of diamond and ruby floral jewels

The couple leaving the Te Deum mass at Monaco Cathedral in bright sunshine on Sunday

Prince Albert chats with the cathedral’s priests, as Princess Charlene and Princess Caroline of Hanover (pictured second from left) look on 

The Monaco royals were out in force for the celebratory mass, with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene joined by Princess Stephanie of Monaco (far right) and Princess Caroline of Hanover (second from left)

Charlene has been enjoying a busy few weeks of public engagements, and was most recently spotted on Thursday helping to hand out gifts at Monaco’s Red Cross Christmas giveaway.

The royal wore a navy wool gilet as she joined Prince Albert and their niece, Camilla Gottllieb, 25, at the Royal Palace in Monte-Carlo for the outing.

Charlene appeared relaxed as she handed out presents to the event’s attendees.

The annual charity distribution is part of a number of events organised by the Red Cross in the run-up to Christmas in Monaco and sees members of the royal family gift presents to those in need.   

Charlene wrapped up from the cold in a navy wool gilet with leather lapels, which she layered over a black roll neck jumper and trousers. 

Pierre Casiraghi and his wife Beatrice Borromeo, and their children Stefano Casiraghi and Francesco Casiraghi also took to the balcony to wave at those gathered below

Monaco royals including, from left: Beatrice Borromeo, Pierre Casiraghi, Stefano Ercole Carlo Casiraghi, Raphael Elmaleh, Charlotte Casiraghi, Balthazar Rassam, India Casiraghi, Maximilian Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo, attend the ceremony at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco to mark the National Day in Monaco

Solemn: Princess Caroline of Hanover, Princess Gabriella, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Prince Jacques of Monaco, and Princess Stephanie of Monaco look serious as the formal  ceremony begins

The South African-born royal cut a pensive figure as she left Monaco Cathedral

Charlene took the arm of Prince Albert – dressed in full military regalia – as they descended the chuch’s steps together

Clearly keen to show her affection for her honourary home, Charlene reflected the red of the Monaco flag in her ensemble

Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Raphael Elmaleh and Alexandre Casiraghi (R-L) stand on the Palace balcony during the celebrations marking Monaco’s National Day in Monaco

Andrea Casiraghi, Princess Caroline of Hanover and Maximilian Casiraghi (L-R) appear on the Palace balcony during the celebrations 

Stefano Casiraghi, Charlotte Casiraghi, Balthazar Rassam, and Francesco Casiraghi (L-R) watch the ceremony marking National Day

Andrea Casiraghi, Charlotte Casiraghi, and Pierre Casiraghi (L-R) stand at the balcony of the Monaco Palace 

Andrea Casiraghi, Princess Alexandra of Hanover, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Charlotte Casiraghi and Pierre Casiraghi (L-R) enjoyed the celebrations

The event saw members of the royal family speak to some of the Red Cross volunteers who took part in the gift distribution.

They also listened to the story of vulnerable people who were stocking up on gifts ahead of Christmas.  

It comes after Prince Albert and Princess Charlene put on a united front as they attended the closing evening of the Festival Des Étoilés in Monte-Carlo last weekend.

Pierre Casiraghi, his wife Beatrice Borromeo and Francesco Casiraghi stand on the Palace balcony during the celebrations marking Monaco’s National Day in Monaco

Pauline Ducruet, Louis Ducruet, Pierre Casiraghi, Princess Stephanie of Monaco, (L-R) Maximilian Casiraghi (Front L), Raphael Elmaleh (Front C) and Sacha Casiraghi (Front R) attend the celebrations

Princess Caroline of Hanover and Maximilian Casiraghi attend the celebrations marking National Day 

Tatiana Santo Domingo looks smart as she attends the celebrations marking National Day 

Alexandra of Hanover (L) and Charlotte Casiraghi (R) attend the celebrations marking National Day at the Monaco Palace, in Monaco, 19 November

Stepping out into the sunshine together: the couple’s display of unity has seen them attending numerous public events together in recent weeks

The couple’s twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, eight, weren’t in attendance at the Sunday service

The immaculately dressed royal wore a beautiful pair of diamond and ruby earrings

Princess Charlene looked typically stylish as she took part in Monaco’s Red Cross Christmas giveaway this morning

The mother-of-two, 45, donned a navy wool gilet as she joined Prince Albert, 65, at the Royal Palace in Monte-Carlo

The royal couple – which have in past months faced rumours about their crumbling marriage – huddled up next to each other as they posed for a photo at the glamorous gala celebrating Michelin-starred chefs at the end of the high-end cooking festival.

This summer, rumours circulated that the couple were living separate lives, with Charlene spending much of her time in Switzerland.

German newspaper Voici reported that the couple were co-parenting their eight-year-old twins, Jacques and Gabriella, but that their marriage itself was ‘for appearances only’ and that they were a ‘ceremonial couple’.

In stark contrast, the couple appeared to put such rumours to bed during the Rugby World Cup Final in October as they looked incredibly close while cheering from the stands.

Source: Read Full Article