All four of Princess Caroline's children also attended their great-aunt's funeral.  Charlotte (who, incidentally, is named for Rainier and Antoinette's mother, Princess Charlotte -- Alexandra also has Charlotte as a middle name in honor of her) chose a beautiful lace veil similar to those worn by her mother and her aunt.  Alexandra's white lace veil is lovely and still age-appropriate; traditionally, mourning attire for children (like Alexandra) was white or gray rather than black.

PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool

While Charlene chose a slightly shorter chapel veil for Princess Antoinette's funeral, her soon-to-be sisters-in-law opted for longer veils, worn over the head and then draped over the shoulder.  I think both versions are equally chic and appropriate for celebrating a long-lived life.

Also, there are two more veiled Grimaldi women in this photo: the two ladies behind Caroline and Stéphanie are Antoinette's daughter and granddaughter, Elisabeth-Anne and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy.  (Believe it or not, this is also actually Stéphanie's very first appearance on the blog...)

PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool

The princely family of Monaco gathered today to remember the late Princess Antoinette, elder sister of Prince Rainier and aunt to Prince Albert, Princess Caroline, and Princess Stéphanie.  Antoinette lived a fascinating and sometimes controversial life -- one perfectly appropriate for a Monegasque princess!  I wrote a little about Antoinette's life in my most recent column; you can also read her obituary (in French) at Nice Matin.

As the Grimaldis are a Catholic family, they keep the tradition of wearing chapel veils for mourning (and for some other religious occasions -- see Charlene also wearing this veil at the Feast of Saint Dévote in January).  I love the close-up of this lace piece on Charlene, with its beautiful, subtle floral motif.  Just gorgeous.

PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool

Lovely reader Eliza sent along this photo of what is surely a blog first -- a (soon-to-be) royal in a swim cap!  Charlene's back home in South Africa and back in her element here, swimming in the Midmar Mile Race.  She's been gorgeous lately in her more sophisticated looks, but you can really tell that a woman is a beauty when she looks great in an orange swim cap just after a race!

PHOTO CREDITS: Michelly Rall/Getty Images

Love that Charlene is embracing the tradition of women wearing veils at Catholic services -- there are few things more elegant, if you ask me!  The lace looks especially striking against her blond hair.

This veil was worn to a mass celebrating Saint Dévote, the patron saint of Monaco.  She was martyred in Corsica in the first century, and, through various events, her body ended up on the shores of Monaco.  Her relics have been preserved in the principality ever since.  Many Monegasques have believed over the centuries that Saint Dévote has protected them against invaders and preserved their independence.  They cherish Saint Dévote so much that they've even named a part of the Grand Prix race course for her.  Now that's veneration!

Here's another look at Charlene's outfit for the day -- more black, which is super appropriate for this occasion, but I hope we see her in colors soon!  I believe those are the relics of Saint Dévote in the foreground:

(Thanks to lovely reader Sophie for sending in info about this event!)

PHOTO CREDITS: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images, REUTERS/Gaetan Luci/Palais Princier

All right, hatters, you know what time it is!  Drumroll, please!

That's right -- slap on your black-tie attire, pour yourself a glass o'champers, and settle in for the Mad Hattery Awards of 2010!  (No, seriously, hurry up -- King CG is clearly waiting on you!)

We've moved the festivities inland from last year's cruise-ship do, but that just means more room for all of us and the maddest hatters of the year!  So, without further adieu, let's get the party started!

And the winners are...

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Thank God for Charlene Wittstock -- it looks like we may finally have a proper hatter in Monaco!

You guys, this is so glam, I can hardly stand it!  The top of the hat is maybe a bit too exaggerated for me to put it in my top ten, but I think it's really just smashing.  There's something so Evita about it -- love it.  An excellent first hattery outing for the future Princess of Monaco!

Yes, Charlotte -- take note!

PHOTO CREDITS: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

Well, honestly, it's a little tough to get too excited about a couple of headbands next to Charlene's structural awesome-ness, but at least they've worn something on their heads!  (More than can be said for Charlotte or Stéphanie -- tsk, tsk, ladies!)

But wait ... did Uncle Karl make Alexandra a Chanel Hello Kitty purse?!?

PHOTO CREDITS: Pool/Getty Images Europe

Another day at the Monaco jumping festival, another helmet for Charlotte.  I'm glad she's keeping her head appropriately protected and all, but I really hope our reward for all these helmets is a lovely hat at next summer's wedding!

Thanks to lovely reader Eliza for sending in info about this event!

Aww, look how much Princess Alexandra loves her big sis, Charlotte -- that's adorable!

Also adorable is Alex's mis-matched plaid headband and patterned shirt -- dare I say that we have a truly Mad Hatter in the making here???