Sainte Devote Pearls in Monaco

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The end of January always brings us one of the most interesting events of the Monegasque princely family’s calendar: the Feast of Sainte Devote.

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Before we get to the jewels worn for the occasion, here’s a quick primer on the traditions that accompany the celebrations of Monaco’s patron saint. Each year on the eve of the feast day of Sainte Devote, a symbolic fishing boat is brought to Port-Hercule in Monaco and set on fire. The tradition recalls two separate incidents. After she was martyred in Corsica, legend has it that Sainte Devote’s relics were saved from a funeral pyre and put on a boat headed for Africa. A storm nearly overtook the vessel, but a dove was said to have appeared to guide the boat to the shores of Monaco, where a chapel was built in Devote’s honor. Hundreds of years later, an Italian sailor tried to steal the saint’s relics from Monaco; he was caught and punished by Monaco’s Grimaldi ruler, and his boat was set on fire on the beach.

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On the eve of the feast every year, the princely family heads to Port-Hercule to be a part of the fiery commemorations. This year, Prince Albert, Princess Charlene, Princess Gabriella, and Hereditary Prince Jacques all attended Sunday evening’s procession.

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For the ceremony, Princess Charlene wore a pair of back-to-front pearl earrings, likely from Dior’s Tribales range.

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Here’s another look at the earrings from the evening procession.

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Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were adorable as usual as they accompanied their parents for this year’s bonfire.

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Gabriella even brought along a sparkling accessory of her own: a thin glittery headband.

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You’ll spot a few more members of the extended Grimaldi family in the photos as well, including Mélanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy (granddaughter of the late Princess Antoinette) and Jean-Léonard Taubert-Natta de Massy (grandson of Princess Antoinette) with his son, Melchior. I belive you’ll also see Charlene’s brother, Sean Wittstock, pictured with his wife, Chantell.

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On Monday morning, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene headed to the cathedral near the palace for the mass celebrating Sainte Devote.

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Afterward, they made an appearance on the palace balcony with Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.

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Charlene went for a classic look for the mass, accessorizing with simple pearl studs and a scarf from Christian Dior.

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This angle gives a better look at the simple, classic pearl earrings she chose for the occasion.

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The Grimaldi kids also got into the accessory game on Monday. Gabriella wore her sparkly headband again, and both kids used Ray-Bans to deal with the bright Mediterranean sunshine.