Her
commitment to the welfare of children...
In
1979, Princess Caroline was appointed by Their Serene Highnesses
the Sovereign Prince and the Princess of Monaco, President of
the Monégasque Committee for the "International Year
of the Child". This marked the start of Her ongoing dedication
and advocacy on behalf of the world's children.
In
1981, The Princess, in response to the needs of distressed youth,
founded the association Jeune J'Ecoute - complete with
a 'youth hotline' that troubled youngsters can call to speak with
qualified counselors trained in dealing with the types of problems
that kids face today.
Growing up in the Principality, Princess
Caroline was an active Girl Scout and in April 1983, She was named
the Honorary President of the Guides de Monaco, which became
the Association des Guides et Scouts de Monaco in 1992
(US equivalent to the Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy
Scouts).
In
1982, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III appointed Princess Caroline as
President of the Fondation
Princesse Grace de Monaco. Founded in 1964 by H.S.H.
Princess Grace to support local craftsmen and women and aspiring
artists, The Princess of Hanover quickly extended the Foundation's
mission to include a variety of humanitarian activities, most
of which directly benefit children.
In April 1993, H.S.H. Princess Caroline was appointed the
President of AMADE Mondiale
(Association Mondiale des Amis de l'Enfance or Worldwide Association
of Children's Friends). Princess
Grace created this charitable organization in 1963 to protect
children from physical and psychological abuse - a legacy which
Princess Caroline has carried on and expanded around the world.
On
December 2, 2003, UNESCO's Director General, Mr. Koïchiro
Matsuura, appointed Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover
as UNESCO's Goodwill Ambassador
in recognition of Her personal commitment to the protection
of children and the family, and of Her contributions to the promotion
of UNESCO's programs for the education of girls and women.
...
and a passion for Her heritage
Children
and the world's youth are not the only fortunate beneficiaries
of Princess Caroline's patronage and support.
In
1982, Prince Rainier III appointed Princess Caroline President
of the Garden Club
of Monaco and President of the Organizing Committee of the
Monte-Carlo Arts Festival, renamed the Printemps
des Arts de Monte-Carlo (Monte-Carlo Spring Art Festival)
in 1984.
During
a press conference in Paris in 1985, Princess Caroline officially
announced the creation of Les
Ballets de Monte-Carlo in accordance with the wishes of
Her mother, Princess Grace.
On
March 4, 1988, She was appointed by decree by Prince
Rainier, as the President of the Board of the Fondation
Prince-Pierre and has served as the President of its Literary
Board since 1988. In 1992, She was appointed the President of
the Artistic Board of
the Prix International d'Art Contemporain (International Contemporary
Art Prize).
Outside
of Monaco, Princess Caroline has also extended Her High Patronage
to the 'Peter Le Marchant Trust' located in England, which organizes
free barge trips for the disabled.
His
Serene Highness Prince Albert II, at the time of His enthronement
on November 17, 2005, gave H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover, the
insignias of Commander of Cultural Merit for Her contribution
to the development of Arts and Culture in the Principality. She
remains actively involved in the Prince-Pierre Foundation, the
Monte-Carlo Ballet, the Monte-Carlo
Philharmonic Orchestra, the Monte-Carlo
Opera, and the Spring Art Festival, all Monégasque
cultural organizations, which She chairs.
Her
Family
In
1983, H.S.H. Princess Caroline married Mr. Stefano Casiraghi.
They had three children, two boys and a girl: Andrea Albert Pierre
Casiraghi who was born June 9, 1984; Charlotte Marie Pomeline
Casiraghi, born on August 3, 1986 and Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi,
born on September 5, 1987.
In
October 1990, Her husband Stefano was killed in a tragic speedboat
racing accident.
In
January 1999, Her Highness married H.R.H. The Prince of Hanover
in Monaco's Princely Palace. This union resulted in the birth
of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Hanover on July 20,
1999.
