Royal Romance

Fairmont has long been a favorite of royal couples and the British Royal family in particular has a storied history with the brand's hotels.  All the way back in 1939, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mum toured Canada, stopping by Fairmont Palliser, Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Empress and The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Before becoming Queen, the couple's daughter, then Princess Elizabeth was first seen with future husband Lt. Philip Mountbatten in public at a reception The Savoy in London. In Toronto, Fairmont Royal York is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip when they're in town.  The luxurious Outlook Cabin at Alberta's Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge hosted Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 2005, as well as her parents King George VI & Queen Elizabeth on their visit in 1939.  More recently, Kate Middleton, the current Duchess of Cambridge, first caught Prince William's eye during a 2001 fashion show at Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland.

But, Fairmont hosts more than just British royalty.  The landmark Fairmont Royal York has hosted several royal couples since it opened in 1929, including King Juan Carlos & Queen Sofia of Spain.  During their stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan left behind most of their extensive security detail (and the remainder did their best to trail at a discreet distance) when they took an early morning stroll around the lake. The couple stayed out longer than anticipated, enjoying the relative privacy, chatting to each other, enjoying the view and taking photos.  Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco stayed at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac during their presidency of the Queen's Ball at the Quebec Winter Carnival in February 1969.

Speaking of glamorous Monegasque royalty, the destiny of the Grimaldi family and the Fairmont Monte Carlo has often met. The Princes' Family has chosen the Fairmont Monte Carlo's Private Dining for multiple important historical receptions: in 1997, for the celebration of 700 years of the Grimaldi reign; in 1999 to celebrate Prince Rainier III's 50 years of reign; and in 2005 for the accession of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.  In 2011, the hotel catered the cocktail reception for the royal wedding of Prince Albert and Miss Charlene Wittstock along with Fairmont Zimbali Resort in South Africa to honor the home countries of the bride & groom.