A Palace's colourful future

The Prince's Palace in Monaco has been undergoing quite a few design changes in recent weeks.  First, Prince Albert paid homage to his Irish roots - his great grandparents moved from Ireland to America in the 19th century - by bathing his home in green light to mark St Patrick's Day.  And now, along with Princess Charlene, he helped turn the palace blue to highlight World Autism Day.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco show off their new exterior design as they temporarily turn their palace blue to highlight World Autism Day

In 2007, the United Nations made April 2nd the day when the work to understand autism and help people who have the condition is placed centre stage.  It's thought around 67 million people around the world have autism.  Princess Charlene is the Honorary President of Monaco Against Autism and it was the princess who flicked the switch to floodlight her home blue - the colour chosen to symbolise the global campaign.  On the same night, around the world, other famous building were bathed in blue light to draw attention to autism.

The Prince's Palace in Monaco is bathed in blue for World Autism Day

The royal couple have set a bit of a trend for lighting their home in different colours for different events and all eyes are now on Monaco to see which brighter shade of pale Albert and Charlene choose next.

The Prince's Palace in Monaco on St Patrick's Day when Albert II of Monaco honoured his Irish roots by turning his home green