ROYAL WEDDINGS OF 2011, PART 2: PRINCE ALBERT II OF MONACO MARRIES CHARLENE WITTSTOCK, JULY 1 & 2

Another long-awaited royal wedding took place when Monaco’s reigning prince, Albert II, son of the late Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, married South African Olympic swimmer, Charlene Wittstock.  Prince Albert (53), married Charlene (33) in two ceremonies, the civil one taking place on July 1 in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace.   On July 2, the religious ceremony took place in the palace courtyard.   Afterwards, the couple went to the Sainte-Devote Chapel where the new Princess Charlene left her bridal bouquet to honor of Monaco’s patron saint, Sainte Devote.

ROYAL WEDDINGS OF 2011, PART 1: PRINCE WILLIAM MARRIES CATHERINE MIDDLETON, APRIL 29

The year 2011 has been been a significant one when it came to royal weddings.   With the year drawing to a close, let’s take a look back at these weddings, beginning with that of Prince William to his long-time girlfriend, Catherine Middleton.  The eagerly awaited nuptials took place at London’s Westminster Abbey on April 29th.

THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AT SANDRINGHAM

The British royal family celebrated Christmas at their Norfolk estate, Sandringham.  Queen Elizabeth II was surrounded by members of her immediate family including her children, Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, the Princess Royal; Andrew, the Duke of York; and Edward, the Earl of Wessex.  Also present were the Queen’s grandchildren, including Prince Harry and Prince William.  The crowds who greeted the royal family as they attended Christmas day church service, were especially large this year because it was the first time that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, spent Christmas at Sandringham as a member of the royal family.  Conspicuously absent this year was Prince Philip who was still recuperating at hospital from heart surgery.

Camilla, Catherine and William, Christmas day, 2011 (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Large crowds cheer the Duchess of Cambridge on Christmas day at Sandringham, 2011 (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Catherine leaves Sandringham church, December 25, 2011 (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge, celebrates her firts Christmas as a royal, waves to the large crowds at Sandringham (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

William and Catherine, December 25, 2011 at Sandringham (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, attends church on Christmas day with the royal family, her first as a member of Britain's royal family (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The royal family walking on the grounds of Sandringham, Norfolk during their Christmas break. In the rear are William and Catherine (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge accepts flowers from children, Sandringham, December 25, 2011 (photo: Bauer Griffin)

Andrew, Charles, Camilla, William, Catherine and Harry attend church, Christmas Day, 2011, Sandringham (photo: Bauer Griffin)

The Queen attends Christmas day church service, this year without the Duke of Edinburgh, who is recovering from heart surgery, December 25, 201 (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Assisted by her granddaughter, Princess Eugenie, Queen Elizabeth II accepts flowers after Christmas day church services, 2011 (photo: Bauer Griffin)

A closeu-up of the Queen on Christmas day, December 25, 2011 (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II during her annual Christmas message, this year focusing on the family unit (photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images)

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

I’d like to wish everyone a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and hope that you and yours enjoy the holiday!

PRINCE PHILIP UNDERGOES EMERGENCY SURGERY FOR CHEST PAINS, IS VISITED AT HOSPITAL BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, the 90-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was hospitalized on December 23 , 2011, and underwent emergency surgery after having suffered chest pains while on Christmas break at the royal family’s estate of Sandringham in Norfolk.  He was rushed by helicopter to Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire where a “minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting” was performed on the duke in order to treat a blocked coronary artery.  Prince Philip reportedly had a good night and is expected to remain in hospital for observation.  On Christmas Eve, the prince was visited by Queen Elizabeth II, and his children, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex and the Prince of Wales, along with Prince Charles’s wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.  The Queen traveled by helicopter to and from the Sandringham estate.  Buckingham Palace reported that the Duke of Edinburgh is “in good spirits, but he is eager to leave.”

Papworth Hospital, in Cambridgeshire, where the Duke of Edinburgh was rushed for emergency heart surgery on December 23, 2011 (photo: Getty Images)

Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visit Prince Philip at hospital, December 24, 2011 (photo: Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II and her youngest child, Edward, Earl of Wessex at Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire, December 24, 2011 (photo: PA/The Daily Mail)

The Queen and her daughter, the Princess Royal, visit Prince Philip, December 24, 2011 (photo: PA/The Daily Mail)

Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by her daughter, the Princess Royal, and son, the Earl of Wessex, walks to board a helicopter to take her back to Sandringham, December 24, 2011 (photo: PA/The Daily Mail)

Prince Philip, in a photograph taken last month, is recuperating from emergency heart surgery, December 24, 2011 (photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE VISIT CENTREPOINT’S CAMBERWELL FOYER CENTRE

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Centrepoint’s Camberwell Foyer Centre in Camberwell, London on December 21, 2011.  Prince William is patron of the organization, which helps homeless young people.  The prince’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, used to take her sons, William and Harry, to visit privately, Centrepoint’s hostels so that they could come to understand the plight of homeless young people.  During William and Catherine’s visit, the couple took part in a cookery class where they made gingerbread and low fat mince pies.  The Duchess of Cambridge also made a heart-shaped cookie for a young woman who turned eighteen.  Photos courtesy of Bauer Griffin and WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE ATTEND THE SUN MILITARY AWARDS AT LONDON’S IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Sun Military Awards at the Imperial War Museum in London on December 19, 2011.  Catherine looked dazzling in a strapless black velvet gown, accessorized with an elaborate silver necklace and matching earrings and bracelet that were a wedding gift to her.  Also in attendance at the formal event was Prince Harry who has spent a number of weeks in the U.S. because of his Apache helicopter training.  He and Prince William looked dapper in their tuxedos.  The Duchess of Cambridge was clearly moved and held back tears when she heard the story of Scott Meenagh who had won the award for Overcoming Adversity.  Photographs courtesy of The Daily Mail.

PRINCE ALBERT AND PRINCESS CHARLENE OF MONACO’S LATEST ACTIVITIES: CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR MONACO’S CHILDREN

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene were in festive spirit recently.  Their latest activities in the last few days included attending the Arbre de Noel 2011 for Monaco’s children where Christmas gifts were distributed by the princely couple.  Photos by Pascal LeSegretain/Getty Images and Frederic Nebinger/Wire Images.

KING ALBERT II AND QUEEN PAOLA OF THE BELGIANS ATTEND A CHRISTMAS CONCERT

King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians attended a Christmas concert at the Royal Palace in Brussels on December 14, 2011.  Also in attendance were the King and Queen’s only daughter, Princess Astrid, and her husband, Prince Lorenz, Archduke of Austria-Este.  Photos by Mark Renders/Getty Images.

THE SPANISH ROYAL FAMILY’S LATEST OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS

King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain attended a National Library Exhibition in Madrid on December 13, 2011.  Also on the same day, the King and Queen, along with Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, received members of the government for a farewell lunch at the Royal Palace in Madrid.  Photos by Carlos Alvarez of Getty Images Europe.