Four “royal” books to offer or treat yourself to for Christmas

In a book published three years ago, Thomas Pernette had the idea of unfolding nearly a century of politics, diplomacy and fashion through the little-known story of 50 hats of Queen Elizabeth II. In the fall of 2024, the late sovereign was back on the shelves of bookstores under her pen. But, this time, the journalist from “Point de Vue” magazine looked at her dresses, as well as those of several other members of the British royal family.

In total there are 40 iconic dresses worn by different women of the Windsor clan – Queen Victoria, Queen Consorts Alexandra, Mary, Elizabeth and Camilla, Duchess of Kent Marina of Greece, Wallis Simpson, Queen Elizabeth II, Princesses Margaret, Anne, Diana, Beatrice, Eugenie and Charlotte, Sarah Ferguson, Sophie Rhys-Jones, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle – which are deciphered by this specialist on crowned heads. Originality of the work, with photos showing them worn by their illustrious owners, each of these outfits is reproduced in drawing by the illustrator Ludivine Joséphine.

“Princess dresses. The Windsor style” by Thomas Pernette, EPA editions

“Princess dresses. The Windsor style” by Thomas Pernette, EPA editions, September 2024, 208 pages, 30 euros.

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Hunting with Louis XV

A compulsive hunter, Louis XV wanted to remain associated with this passion for eternity. To this end, the sovereign had notably placed an order with the painter Jean-Baptiste Oudry, asking him to create the cartoons for nine tapestries. To be woven by the Gobelins factory, these immortalized different episodes of the hunts he indulged in in Compiègne, Fontainebleau and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Around four of these cartoons which have recently been the subject of a restoration, the Château de Fontainebleau is presenting, since October 13 and until January 27, 2025, the exhibition “Jean-Baptiste Oudry painter of courre. The royal hunts of Louis XV. Which is accompanied by an exciting catalog. The opportunity to learn everything about the painter's creative process for this “Royal Hunts” tapestry and to discover the works and objects on display, but not only that. The first part details the hunting practices of Louis Oudry) and their servants.

“Jean-Baptiste Oudry racing painter. The royal hunts of Louis XV”, Château de Fontainebleau and GrandPalaisRmn

“Jean-Baptiste Oudry racing painter. The royal hunts of Louis

Monaco and UNESCO, 75 years of history and actions

If the Monegasque year 2023 was marked by the centenary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, 2024 was marked by another anniversary: that of the 75th anniversary of Monaco's membership of UNESCO. The celebrations planned for this occasion were accompanied by the publication of a commemorative book.

The fruit of collective work between Monaco and UNESCO, this work, unveiled at the end of November by Prince Albert II, details the founding events of the Principality's entry into the world organization in 1949, archival documents in support, evokes the men and women who contributed to it, traces the evolution of heritage preservation campaigns, educational initiatives and actions in favor of sustainable development carried out in this context. The princely family is very present, over the pages and decades, from Prince Pierre de Polignac, tutelary figure of Unesco, to Charlotte Casiraghi and her philosophical encounters, including of course Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, Prince Albert II and Princesses Charlène, Caroline and Stéphanie.

“Monaco Unesco 75 years”, by Stéphane Lamotte and Jean-Philippe Vinci, editions de la Martinière
© DR/editions de la Martinière

“Monaco Unesco 75 years”, by Stéphane Lamotte and Jean-Philippe Vinci, éditions de la Martinière, December 2024, 224 pages, 35 euros

Well dance now…

No one is unaware of Marie-Antoinette's reputation for frivolity. If the young Austrian liked to go incognito to masked balls in Paris in the company of her brother-in-law the Count of Artois (future King Charles X), she also orchestrated them. And these amazed the Court with their splendor, their originality and the refinement of their ephemeral decorations.

Dauphine under the reign of Louis work, richly illustrated and documented, recently released by Gourcuff Gradenico. But its author, Stéphane Castelluccio, art historian and research director at the CNRS, also deals with their origins: the carnival balls which were already given under Louis XIV and Louis XV.