VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty ImagesCommoners and royals alike need easy access to quality caffeine, and thanks largely in part to Princess Charlene, the good people of Monaco now have just that!
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Prince Albert II's wife inaugurated the province's first ever Starbucks franchise. Charlene, whose mother-in-law is late actress Grace Kelly, had the honors of cutting the Starbucks Monaco ribbon and also happily posed with baristas and coffee executives inside the store.
The native South African, formerly known as Charlotte Wittstock, married her royal hubby, who is 20 years her senior, on June 1, 2011. In the months before becoming a princess, the former Olympic swimmer, 35, told Tatler magazine of her plans to "modernize" Monaco. Among her hopes for the future of the principality? Bringing Manolo Blahnik, a Ralph Lauren Home Store, Armani and yes, a Starbucks to the famed tax haven.
But she has much bigger goals, too. "My hope is that I can help harness the tremendous monetary resources Monaco possesses to address a multitude of global problems," she said. "Monaco has the potential to have a huge impact on the world stage."
And admittedly, Charlene's had "days where I feel totally overwhelmed," but she makes sure to "never take anything for granted."
"Sometimes I have to pinch myself that this is my life," she said, "and I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world with the man of my dreams."
And to think, now she can have all that plus a latte!