The much-loved family’s appearance on Friday marked the country’s annual Sainte Dévote’s Day, a celebration in honor of Monaco’s patron saint. The national holiday has been celebrated in Monaco since the sixth century.
Princess Charlene, who celebrated her 39th birthday just a few days prior to the event, chose to wear an understated, though elegant, all-beige ensemble for the occasion.
Flanked by her husband Prince Albert, 58, the couple waved gentility at the crowd below the sun-drenched balcony. But the centre of everyone’s affections was undoubtedly the two-year-old royal twins –
Prince Jacques, and Princess Gabriella.
The precious brother-sister duo could be seen playing hide and seek, as they took turns peering and peeking through the large stone balustrade. Later, Charlene and Albert picked the tot’s up for a period of their balcony appearance so they could better see the action taking place before them.
Adorably, while nestled safely in his mother’s arms, Jacques playfully reached out for his father’s glasses.
The little Prince looked ever-the-gentleman in what appeared to be a grey, tweed blazer adorned with contrasting navy lapels and a comfortable pair of concrete-grey chinos, while the always-lovely Princess Gabriella, looked positively gorgeous in a navy, fur-trimmed coat.
Earlier in the morning, the royal couple also attended a church service at the Cathedral of Monaco as part of the Sainte Dévote’s Day festivities while their children stayed behind at the palace.
Ahead of their second birthday, Prince Albert told People his little ones were thriving!
“The kids are great. They’re running around everywhere, still jumping in and out of the pool up at the ranch [Roc Agel] on a day like today when it’s still warm enough here,” he explained to the publication.
“They’re still all smiling and laughing. I still haven’t seen any tantrums, though those are probably coming, but for now, they’re very sweet and alert.”
As for their personalities, the 58-year-old says they’re becoming quite the characters.
“Jacques, for the moment, is a little boy of very few words. If he wants you to pick him up, he’ll say, ‘Up!’ and then he’ll say, ‘Down,’ but he’s not into using full sentences.”
“Gabriella, like a lot of little girls, and is more talkative than her brother – both in English and French. She encountered the phrase ‘c’est pas possible!’ (‘it’s not possible’) and has picked that up pretty quickly. That one I’m certain it’s going to serve her really well later on in life.”
Too cute!