Albert's anniversary

Marking ten years as a monarch is a hard one. It's a big number, it's a landmark, it's a turning point in many ways. The early years are definitely done and you're heading into waters that many rulers have never sailed. A decade of reigning makes you a bit of a veteran. But it's also not that big a number, not that huge a time and there's no precious metal to go with it. Twenty five years and you get a silver Jubilee, fifty and things are golden. Celebrating ten years is hard and there's no set pattern. So Albert II of Monaco went modern. And everything went very well indeed.

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monarco and Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene mark his ten years as a sovereign at the weekend

OK, there was a touch of the traditional on day one of the celebrations when the sovereign and his consort did a good old fashioned walkabout before a sea of cameras as thousands of their fellow citizens turned out to celebrate with them. The celebrations were taking place ten years on from his enthronement as sovereign rather than his actual accession but then like many monarchs, the moment Albert became a ruler is for him filled with sadness. He took the throne on the death of his beloved father, Rainier III, and April 2015 was, for Albert, a time to reflect on a personal sorrow as well as a public duty.

Pleased to meet you - Albert and Charlene of Monaco go walkabout as celebrations for the tenth anniversary of his reign unfolded

But even this event had a touch of the 21st century about it and it wasn't just the very modern looking jewels presented to Albert and Charlene for their twins, Jacques and Gabriella, that gave things an up to date edge. 

Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco watch their father's anniversary party unfold

The decision of Princess Charlene to take to the microphone and praise her husband in French added an informal and surprising air to the whole party. She was watched by the princesses who had stood at his side when he became a sovereign and who have now moved to the wings of royal life. Caroline, with her grandson, and Stephanie are affected too by the passing of this decade. In ten years they have gone from daughters of a monarch to sisters to aunts of a reigning prince in waiting. Their roles have changed perhaps more than any other in that time.

Caroline and Stephanie of Monaco at the celebrations for their brother's ten years as a sovereign

And while we're used to monarchs getting big concerts held in their honour the massive party that took over Monte Carlo on July 12th to celebrate Albert's anniversary had an even more modern touch. The prince and his jeans clad wife rocked out in the stands, kissed and cuddled then took the stage for a chat with the other revellers before Charlene gave the world a wave worthy of a rock star. 

View image | gettyimages.com

 
 And as the music from Robbie Williams faded into the night air and the party came to an end, Albert of Monaco entered a new phase of his reign. The second decade brings new challenges - the honeymoon period is definitely over and this part of his royal story becomes one of consolidation as well as innovation. But there will be plenty modern about it if the way Albert marked his anniversary is anything to go by.