Prince Albert

"The Young Victoria," starring Emily Blunt as the 18-year-old queen of England circa 1837, is such a rich pastiche of first love, teen empowerment, fabulous fashion and fate that you almost wish a few brooding vampires had been thrown in for good measure, since that's the crowd that should fall head over heels for this movie. Which isn't to suggest that "Young Victoria" is sophomoric. It is anything but. What filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée has done in this delicious historical romance is capture that hot blush of pure emotion that comes before kisses, sex, heartbreak and the rest can dilute it. Vallée understands the power in the promise of things to come, and though kings and queens might abuse the power, the director uses it wisely.

The Pujols file Name: Jose Alberto Pujols Nicknames: Prince Albert, Phat Albert, The Machine Birth date: Jan. 16, 1980 Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Family: Wife, Deidre, and four children Height: 6 feet 3 Weight: 230 pounds Bats/throws: Right/right Drafted: 13th round, No. 402 overall, 1999 Honors: Nine-time All-Star (2001, 2003-10); three-time National League MVP (2005, 2008-09)

Charlene Wittstock isn't the first bride in history to have cold feet--if indeed she does. The South African intended of Prince Albert of Monaco is rumored to be having second thoughts about getting hitched this weekend, according to a French newspaper, although the palace insists those reports are false. One of the sticking points, evidently, may have to do with the prince's past romantic dalliances and the children who resulted. Not that Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer, wasn't aware of the progeny--how could she not be--but however you slice it, it is something she'll have to deal with on some level.

Royal weddings are like London buses: You wait ages, and then two come along at the same time. Weeks after Britons thronged the streets for the fairytale marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the tiny European principality of Monaco got the chance to celebrate its own magical ending to a royal romance (even if it had a bit of a rough patch before the happily-ever-after moment). On Friday, the Mediterranean playground for the rich and famous turned out for what was perhaps unkindly nicknamed the "other wedding," as Monaco's Prince Albert II married Charlene Wittstock of South Africa in a civil ceremony at the royal palace, with a church wedding to follow Saturday.

The Pujols file Name: Jose Alberto Pujols Nicknames: Prince Albert, Phat Albert, The Machine Birth date: Jan. 16, 1980 Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Family: Wife, Deidre, and four children Height: 6 feet 3 Weight: 230 pounds Bats/throws: Right/right Drafted: 13th round, No. 402 overall, 1999 Honors: Nine-time All-Star (2001, 2003-10); three-time National League MVP (2005, 2008-09)

Prince Albert, younger brother of Belgian King Baudouin, said Tuesday that his country will cooperate with Japan to try to develop technology for the benefit of society. He made the statement at Belgian national day observances at Japan's science exposition at Tsukuba, northeast of Tokyo.

Prince Albert of Monaco, a member of the International Olympic Committee, visited the media center on Saturday. The prince was surrounded by security personnel and organizing committee officials, who formed a protective cocoon. It was hardly necessary. As the prince and his entourage descended into a submerged working area known as "the pit" or, to North Americans, "the bullpen," he was obscured more and more by a smoky haze. Sportswriters on deadline hardly looked up as Prince Albert strode by.

The government announced Thursday it will pay for restoration of the crumbling Albert Memorial, the ornate monument built by grief-stricken Queen Victoria after the death of her husband, Prince Albert. The 175-foot-tall memorial, a popular tourist attraction at the south side of London's Kensington Gardens opposite the Royal Albert Hall, was built between 1864 and 1872.

Prince Albert of Monaco has been aware of his princely responsibilities since, he says, "the age of 2." Then hinting that he may be exaggerating just a bit, he flashes a shy and engaging smile. Actually, he adds, "it's always been in the back of my mind, but I never let it bother me." Of the three children of Prince Rainier III and the late Princess Grace, Prince Albert is the most like his mother, the late Grace Kelly. He has her fair coloring, her blue eyes, her composure, her gentleness.

Sarah Ferguson, Britain's famous flame-haired divorcée, is haunted by old loves. "I didn't fight for my own heart in my marriage" she says, looking slender and chic in a black dress and Christian Louboutin high heels during a recent visit to Los Angeles. She is referring to, of course, her tumultuous, high-profile relationship with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, second son of Queen Elizabeth II. Her candid confession may explain why she was attracted to the royal romance at the center of "The Young Victoria," the period costume drama she produced with Graham King and Martin Scorsese.

Charlene Wittstock isn't the first bride in history to have cold feet--if indeed she does. The South African intended of Prince Albert of Monaco is rumored to be having second thoughts about getting hitched this weekend, according to a French newspaper, although the palace insists those reports are false. One of the sticking points, evidently, may have to do with the prince's past romantic dalliances and the children who resulted. Not that Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer, wasn't aware of the progeny--how could she not be--but however you slice it, it is something she'll have to deal with on some level.

Emily Blunt has a suggestion for all those sticklers who demand real history in their film biographies. "Watch the History Channel if you want it literal and historically perfect." The star of "The Young Victoria" was reacting to some of the quibbling of British critics about the film, which is enjoying much better reviews in Australia and the United States than it did when it opened in Queen Victoria's native land. Gripes about this invention (the queen's husband taking a bullet for her)

"The Young Victoria," starring Emily Blunt as the 18-year-old queen of England circa 1837, is such a rich pastiche of first love, teen empowerment, fabulous fashion and fate that you almost wish a few brooding vampires had been thrown in for good measure, since that's the crowd that should fall head over heels for this movie. Which isn't to suggest that "Young Victoria" is sophomoric. It is anything but. What filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée has done in this delicious historical romance is capture that hot blush of pure emotion that comes before kisses, sex, heartbreak and the rest can dilute it. Vallée understands the power in the promise of things to come, and though kings and queens might abuse the power, the director uses it wisely.

Sarah Ferguson, Britain's famous flame-haired divorcée, is haunted by old loves. "I didn't fight for my own heart in my marriage" she says, looking slender and chic in a black dress and Christian Louboutin high heels during a recent visit to Los Angeles. She is referring to, of course, her tumultuous, high-profile relationship with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, second son of Queen Elizabeth II. Her candid confession may explain why she was attracted to the royal romance at the center of "The Young Victoria," the period costume drama she produced with Graham King and Martin Scorsese.

Reigning European monarchs don't come along every day, not even to Beverly Hills. So it was no surprise that event patrons and other guests at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Awards felt privileged to attend a private party at Cartier with Prince Albert II, who arrived from Monaco to represent his mother, the late Princess Grace of Monaco. This year, the city of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee honored both Cartier and Princess Grace with plaques on the famed luxury street.

Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi, His Serene Highness, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, confirmed Thursday that he had partaken in a centuries-old tradition among European monarchs: He has fathered a second child out of wedlock, this one the ponytailed daughter of a former waitress who lives in this upscale enclave near Palm Springs.

Albert Grimaldi, also known as Prince Albert, the heir to the throne of Monaco, will be 40 on March 14 and is back for his fourth Olympics. He is still enjoying the experience, living in the athletes' village again, renewing his friendship with Alberto Tomba, preparing to pilot Monaco's four-man bobsled team, having given up the two-man because, "The older you get, the more desirous you are of having more people helping push [the bobsled] for you [at the start]."

Albert Grimaldi, also known as Prince Albert, the heir to the throne of Monaco, will be 40 on March 14 and is back for his fourth Olympics. He is still enjoying the experience, living in the athletes' village again, renewing his friendship with Alberto Tomba, preparing to pilot Monaco's four-man bobsled team, having given up the two man because, "The older you get, the more desirous you are of having more people helping push [the bobsled] for you [at the start]."

CANNES, France--Dame Elizabeth Taylor was the last to arrive, making a grand entrance nearly three hours after cocktails began at the Thursday night fund-raiser for the American Foundation for AIDS Research. She was resplendent in diamonds and a beaded flesh colored Gianfranco Ferre gown.