I'm sorry for not properly updating this over the last year with the replies I have received. That is life during a pandemic. And I didn't actually write too many letters last year.
A lovely reply arrived today from Monaco, the first I have received in many months. I had written Prince Albert & Princess Charlene to wish them a Merry Christmas.
The envelope is the usual from the couple. It features a basic international stamp of Prince Albert, that was first issued in 2006. The postmark promotes the Monaco 360° pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. It says, in French, "Monaco 360°, a world of opportunities."
The back of the card features the couple's joint monogram.
Prince Albert & Princess Charlene's Christmas card has been generally the same each year, just with a different photo and message.
There are two big differences with the front of this card from past year. The first is the embossed snowflakes, which are a new addition. In past years, the front of the card has featured the couple's joint Monogram with an embossed red border.
The second difference is the use of a painting of the family instead of a picture. The painting is by Stefanie van Zyl, a Monaco-based painter that is originally from South Africa. Stefanie has painted the Monaco Royals on many occasions, including the Portrait of Princess Charlene on her first Stamp. This painting was personally commissioned by Princess Charlene.
At the dawn of this New Year
we send you our warmest wishes
for a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year 2022
Albert de Monaco Charlene de Monaco
The wording of the message changes each year but has the same sentiment, and always includes the forthcoming year. We saw this same phrase "At the dawn of this New Year" used in their 2017 Christmas card.
