EXCLUSIVE
Hello Monaco: You are just back from
Philadelphia. It must have been a touch-
ing moment, going back to your mother's
house...
Prince Albert: My cousins help me a lot in
its restoration and maintenance. Thanks to a
collection of photos, articles and documents
it was refurnished and revived in the spirit
of Princess Grace. We didn’t manage to find
the same exact objects. It was not our goal
anyway. We just wanted my grandparents’
house to look nice again as it used to be
in quite a lamentable state. Our intention,
however, was not to make it a museum.
HM: Would it still be available for a visit?
Prince Albert: Yes, in small groups. This
house is mostly designed to host seminars
and colloquiums. A few events have already
been held by the Irish library. My cousin is
an associate professor at the Irish Literature
and Art Department, University of Villanova,
in charge of symposiums. This house also
serves as headquarters for my foundation’s
American branch.
HM: Your father must have been more
so...
Prince Albert: Yes, a little bit. He knew how
to inspire awe in his children, but he also had
an extremely warm side to himself.
HM: Were you aware as a child of an abso-
lutely unique radiance your mother con-
veyed?
Prince Albert: We were occasionally aware
of it... We did fully realize it later on. For us,
My mother truly had a big heart, a lot of
empathy and a kind word for everyone.
HM: Do you remember any of the gifts
you made to your mom for her birthday
or Mother's Day?
Prince Albert: I have a very good recollec-
tion of drawings and paintings that I made
as a child.
HM: What were ultimately the most impor-
tant things in her relations with children?
she was our mother. We obviously knew that
she played in films, that she used to be an
actress...
HM: Could you name three things that she
particularly enjoyed? In terms of leisure,
works of art, music...
Prince Albert: She liked reading books in
English, but also in French. You know, she
did speak French even before she got mar-
Archives
HM: Could you tell us about your mother?
She is known to be a woman exceptional
in every way. Do you have any remark-
able memories that you could share with
us?
Prince Albert: My mother was so consider-
ate... She gave so much love to us, her chil-
dren, but she was also very caring with oth-
ers. My mother truly had a big heart, a lot of
empathy and a kind word for everyone. It's
amazing how much she reached the hearts
of so many people around the world, even in
countries she had never been to. Australia,
for example. Two exhibitions have been held
there, with a record attendance.
HM: Could you say that your mother was
a mother like any other?
Prince Albert: She specially strived for us
to have the most normal family life possible,
with our own moments of great intimacy
and joy. She sometimes cooked our meals...
HM: What tasty dishes did she treat you
to?
Prince Albert: Very simple things like grills
and pasta. But most importantly, it was fam-
ily time with no staff around, just our small
circle.
HM: Has she ever been strict?
Prince Albert: I would not say she was
strict, but she knew how to set limits when
needed. She hardly ever had to raise her
voice. There were moments, however, when
we had to be quieter or silent, calmed down
a little. But I’ve never felt she was too severe.
The Princely family in the Court of Honour of the Prince's Palace, 1967
Could it be just making you happy...
Prince Albert: Yes, absolutely, but also mak-
ing sure we were in good health and our pri-
vacy not overly invaded...
HM: By the paparazzi?
Prince Albert: It was mostly my sisters who
suffered from them. I was a bit less of an
interest.
ried. She was also into knitting blankets,
scarves... She once knitted a blue and red
sweater for me.
HM: Do you still have it?
Prince Albert: It must be somewhere, but
I wouldn’t be able to squeeze my one arm
into it... Oh yes! She also made hundreds of
dried flower paintings. She loved it.
Hello Monaco Winter 2019–2020 / 49
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