The Royal Fanzine

It's that time of year again in Monaco: The time for Lions, Tigers, and Bears...Oh, My!...Nah, just the 2012 36th annual Circus Festival in Monaco.  It's typically the only time we see Princess Stephanie's three children attending a "Royal Duty". With that said, here is a breif history of the annual event. The event was started in 1974 by then reigning Prince Rainier to celebrate his love for the circusamd order to support Circus arts and Circus families. The family-Prince Rainier's wife and three children all share his love for the circus. The first Festival was held from December 26 to 30, 1974 under the big top of the French circus Bouglione, installed on what was then the Esplanade de Fontvielle. In the foreword he wrote for the program, Prince Rainier said, "This International Circus Festival was created thinking of the circus community, of this family of underestimated people, so that you, attentive spectators of their efforts and of their work, ...

With this week's passing of the 63rd annual Red Cross Gala, the editors of The Royal Fanzine thought it would be a good idea to explore the history of Monaco's annual summer Gala. Marcia Tracy reports. The Monegasque Red Cross Gala -- or, Gala de la Croix Rouge --  has been held every late July/early August in the Salle des Etoiles  in the Sporting Club -- Sporting d'Eté   de Monte-Carlo -- since it's inception in 1948, by the present sovereign's great-grandfather, Prince Louis II. It's presidency is served by the sovereign, Prince Albert II. Until 1957, the year after Prince Rainier III gave Monaco a new princess, the event remained low-key. The purpose of the ball is to raise funds for Monaco's division of The Red Cross. It was in 1957 that the Red Cross Gala became what it is today. Since 1957, the ball has hosted performers including: Eddie Fischer, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Gloria Gaynor, Frank Sinatra, Julio Iglesais, Elton John, Liza Minel...