CELEBRATING THE NATION IN A SERIES OF GLAMOROUS EVENTS PRINCESS CHARLENE OF MONACO A RED-LETTER DAY WITH PRINCE ALBERT AND THEIR TWINS AS THEY PAY TRIBUTE TO PRINCE RAINIER

In a festive red ensemble, Princess Charlene of Monaco attracted the praise of fashion fans as she stepped out under a beautiful blue sky on the National Day of Monaco with her husband Prince Albert and their eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

- JANE DOWDESWELL

The appearance of the family at the Prince's Palace came after they attended a mass of thanksgiving at the National Cathedral, where a red carpet was laid out on the steps for their arrival. Also known as the Sovereign Prince's Day, 19 November is dedicated to celebrating the history and culture of the nation each year.

VISION IN RED

The touching choice of Monaco's national colour by Charlene - wearing a radiant crimson double-breasted coat and longsleeved crew-neck dress by DidierAngelo, scarlet gloves, knee-high Manolo Blahnik boots and a beret - was not lost on the hundreds of local people who had turned out, many waving red and white flags.

Prince Albert and Jacques were both dressed in military regalia, while Gabriella looked stylish in a navy blue mini version of her mum's coat and hat.