A wild night out! Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie of Monaco watch lions leap through flaming hoops during an evening at the circus with their family 

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The House of Grimaldi enjoyed another royal night out at the circus on Tuesday evening - and took in a spectacular performance by an incredible acrobatic troop and saw a lion leaping through a flaming hoop.

Prince Albert II of Monaco, his sister Princess Stephanie, her daughter Camille Gottlieb and her son Louis Ducruet arrived for the gala of the 41st Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival in Monaco.

Dressed in the circus' novelty clothing, the royal family took their pole position seats at the front of the circus to enjoy the show. 

Prince Albert II of Monaco (2nd R), his sister Princess Stephanie (3rd L), her daughter Camille Gottlieb (R) and her son Louis Ducruet (2nd L) arrive for the gala of the 41st Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival in Monaco

Once inside, they enjoyed an incredible performance from Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, who had taught lions to leap through flaming hoops.

The stars of the Russian circus, the Zapashny Brothers, performed their mixed tiger – lion act for the first time in Europe and Erwin Frankello showcases a show involving African elephants and sea lions.

The siblings also posed with artists of the acrobatic troop of Xinjiang, winners of a Silver Clown award.

The royals presented them with their trophy before posing for snaps with them. 

According to Circopedia, the troupe hail from the Uyghur Autonomous Region in the northeast of the People's Republic of China and was established in 1961.  

Once inside, they enjoyed an incredible performance from Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, who had taught lions to leap through flaming hoops

Prince Albert II of Monaco (L) and his sister Princess Stephanie (R) pose with artists Sky Angels, winner of a Golden Clown award, at the awards ceremony

Prince Albert II of Monaco waves as Princess Stephanie looks on during the gala

Louis Ducruet, Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Camille Gottlieb arrived in style

The royals were treated to some tricks from a host of clowns as they arrived at the event

The group have won countless gold, silver, and bronze awards in international circus festivals and national and regional competitions. 

They have also been commended by the Chinese Ministry of Culture for excellence. 

The royal siblings also pose with artists Sky Angels, winner of a Golden Clown award, at the awards ceremony. 

Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, perform at the gala with the help of a lion

The stars of the Russian circus, the Zapashny Brothers, performed their mixed tiger – lion act for the first time in Europe 

 Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, performed with a tiger and a lion at the gala

Once inside, they posed with artists of the acrobatic troop of Xinjiang, winners of a Silver Clown award

Prince Albert and his sister pose with Zapashny brothers, winners of a Silver Clown award, at the awards ceremony of the 41st Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival

This is the family's second outing to the circus in the last week. On Fridaty, Louis Ducruet and his companion Marie, his mother Princess Stephanie of Monaco, sister Pauline Ducruet and uncle Prince Albert II of Monaco were in high spirits as they arrived at the 41st International Circus Festival in Monaco.

Dressed in the circus' novelty clothing, the royal family took their pole position seats at the front of the circus to enjoy the show. 

From 19 to 29 January 2017, more than 120 artists from 16 countries will perform under the Fontvieille Big Top.  

Prince Albert and his niece Camille Gottlieb applauded the acts as they enjoyed a night at the circus

According to the circus' website, the 41st Festival features the most spectacular and thrilling acts such as artists on high wire and a double wheel act from the Gerling Troupe.

An international jury, under the presidency of HSH Princess Stephanie, will honour the best acts of the Festival with the famous Golden, Silver and Bronze Clowns awards. 

Ringmaster Petit Gougou greets Princess Stephanie of Monaco at the event

The stars of the Russian circus, the Zapashny Brothers, will perform their mixed tiger – lion act for the first time in Europe and Erwin Frankello showcases a show involving African elephants and sea lions.

The royals have been promoting the event all week and as members of Europe's chicest royal family, they are usually a picture of elegance and poise.

But Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and her daughter Pauline couldn't help losing their composure when they were ambushed by a sea lion during a photo call on Tuesday.

Stéphanie, 51, who is the youngest child of actress Grace Kelly and the sister of Albert II, stepped in to help launch the 41st Monte Carlo International Circus Festival when she met the beast. 

The mother-of-three, who is tenth in line to the throne, got more than she bargained for after agreeing to pet the circus-trained animal for a photograph.

She puckered up for a kiss with the sea lion which suddenly lunged at her and Pauline, 22, making them both jump.

Recoiling in horror, the pair then grabbed onto a nearby circus trainer's arm for safety.

Stéphanie, dressed in a blue baseball jacket bearing the circus's emblem, is a huge supporter of the event and first attended when she was just nine.

The stars of the Russian circus, the Zapashny Brothers, will perform their mixed tiger – lion act for the first time in Europe and Erwin Frankello showcases a show involving African elephants and sea lions

Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, right, and her daughter Pauline pet a sea lion at the 41st Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival in Monaco on Tuesday

While her daughter was casually dressed for the event in a leather biker jacket and colourful silk scarf.

Stéphanie famously eloped with an elephant trainer in 2001, along with her three children, before returning to Monaco.

But the relationship came to an abrupt end and, two years later, she married a circus acrobat - a relationship which also ultimately ended in divorce.

Stéphanie, a patron of the awe-inspiring show, also helps to oversee the Circus Festival and is involved in everything from choosing the acts to the choreography.

Her father Prince Ranier was the brains behind the first festival, which now as then, specialises in traditional circus acts from clowns to acrobats.

The circus is an annual event in the principality and has been running since 1974.

In 2015, Stéphanie attended the event with her youngest daughter, Camille, and brother Prince Albert of Monaco.

Controversy surrounded Camille's birth in 1998 as Stephanie neglected to name a father on her birth certificate.

As such, Camille is not included in the line to the Monegasque throne, unlike her brother Louis Robert and her sister Pauline Grace.