Princess Charlene and Prince Albert are proud parents as twins receive First Communion: Photos

Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco have taken a new step in their faith journey. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene‘s twins recently received their First Communion. On Sunday, May 11, the Prince’s Palace of Monaco released new photos of the 10-year-old siblings from their First Communion. 

In one picture, the brother-sister duo posed side-by-side dressed in their white First Communion albs. Gabriella was photographed sweetly holding her brother’s thumb as they posed for the photo. A second image shared by the palace shows proud mom Princess Charlene and dad Prince Albert standing behind their son and daughter outside of the Cathedral of Monaco.

“On this day of First Communion, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella who received this sacrament with faith and reverence,” a message alongside the pictures reads.

The Monaco Cathedral is where the twins were baptized back in May of 2015. Charlene converted to Catholicism ahead of her 2011 wedding to Prince Albert. 

In a past interview with Paris Match, Charlene admitted that the values of Catholicism “correspond perfectly” to her spirit. “According to Grimaldi tradition, Catholicism is the state religion [in Monaco]. But for me it represents much more,” the Princess said, via PEOPLE. “The values of this religion profoundly touch me and correspond perfectly to my spirit. In January 2013, Prince Albert took me to the Vatican to present me to [Pope Francis’s predecessor] Pope Benoit XVI, just as Prince Rainier did with Grace Kelly and Pie XII. That experience was extremely intense and moving for me.”

© Axel Bastello/Princely Palace, Monaco

Both Charlene and Albert attended Pope Francis’ funeral at St. Peter’s Square last month. Following the 266th pontiff’s death on April 21, Albert released a statement, which read (translated to English): “It is with infinite sadness and deep sorrow that we learned of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis on this Easter Monday. Particularly moved, my family, myself and the Principality would like to express our deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and all the faithful with whom we share a great sorrow. In this time of pain and mourning, we keep in mind and in our hearts the apostolic blessings which the Holy Father lavishly bestowed upon us during his Pontificate and fervently pray for the repose of his soul.”

“May his unrelenting message of love, brotherhood, peace, faith, justice, mercy, compassion, and respect for our nature continue to nourish our thoughts and commitments to the service of the common good and radiate upon a world he will leave his mark on,” the Prince continued. “With profound gratitude, we pay tribute to the very great servant of mankind who has just left us. We ask Your Eminence Reverendissime to want to believe well in the part that we take, along with all the inhabitants of the Principality, in the mourning of the Church and the Vatican City.”

Albert has since congratulated Pope Francis’ successor, Pope Leo XIV. “On the occasion of Your Holiness’s elevation to the Pontifical Throne, my Family and I assure You of our fervent prayers for the greatness of Your Pontificate and ask You to deign to accept our respectful congratulations,” the Prince wrote in a message to the 267th pontiff (translated to English). “With the people of the Principality, we express the most respectful hope that the accomplishment of this eminent and weighty spiritual mission of universal scope will be marked by many satisfactions. I ask Your Holiness to deign to accept the respectful homage of my deep and filial attachment.”