Jacques and Gabriella

Monaco’s mini-royals inaugurate miniature Monaco

Gabriella and Jacques inspected Monaco in miniature format on Thursday. The royal family had traveled to Hamburg especially to inaugurate the dwarf state in Miniatur Wunderland.(Bild: APA/dpa/Georg Wendt)

On Thursday, Prince Albert, his Charlene and the twins Jacques and Gabriella paid a lightning visit to Hamburg. And it particularly amazed the mini royals ...

The royal couple were invited to the grand opening of a brand new Monaco replica at Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg. It almost goes without saying that the twins in particular had a lot of fun.

Formula 1 racing in miniature format
They naturally took a close look at the miniature Monaco. And when the replica Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit was opened with a real race, there was no stopping Albert and Charlene's children. 

Gabriella and Jacques inspected Monaco in miniature format on Thursday. The royal family had traveled to Hamburg especially to inaugurate the dwarf state in Miniatur Wunderland.(Bild: APA/dpa/Georg Wendt)

Jacques and Gabriella gave the starting signal for the Formula 1 race in miniature format.(Bild: APA/dpa/Georg Wendt)

There were four miniature cars to choose from for the mini Formula 1 race - in the end, Charlene's racing car beat all the others. However, Gabriella and Jacques still received a small gold trophy, which they proudly accepted.

"It was a wonderful day in Hamburg, we enjoyed it," enthused Prince Albert in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper. 

Monaco on 36 square meters
The 36-square-metre Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg not only recreated the princely palace, but also the marina, the casino and the Monaco Formula 1 circuit in miniature and true to detail.