On Friday, 21 November, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene welcomed His Excellency Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, for a historic official visit to the Principality of Monaco, the first visit by a Portuguese Head of State to Monaco.
The official welcome ceremony took place at 10:15 a.m. in the Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace. It included military honours, the national anthems of both countries, and an inspection of the troops. This was followed by the presentation of the delegations and a bilateral meeting in the Salon de Famille between the two Heads of State, each accompanied by three members of their respective delegations.
Committed to deepening and strengthening their bilateral and global relations, as well as the friendship and close cooperation between the two States, Prince Albert II and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa addressed several key aspects of the partnership between Monaco and Portugal. Both leaders recalled the quality of diplomatic dialogue since 2007, also rooted in a shared history of consular ties in the 19th century and a partnership born of a rich tradition of exchanges and cooperation.
The two Heads of State also underlined the importance of the Portuguese community living in Monaco numbering in the hundreds and those Portuguese working here numbering in the thousands, whose contribution to the vitality of the Principality is particularly valued. President Rebelo de Sousa highlighted Portugal’s strong economic and social momentum, highlighting its development and stability.
Grand Crosses & Grand Collars
Following their talks, the visit continued with an exchange of gifts and the presentation of decorations. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II bestowed upon the President of Portugal the dignity of Grand Cross in the Order of Saint-Charles. In return, the President conferred upon His Serene Highness the Grand Collar of the Order of Christ, and upon Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene the Grand Cross of the Order of Christ.
An official luncheon was then offered in the Grand Dining Room, accompanied by a musical performance by a harpist.
Afterwards, the Princely Couple, President Rebelo de Sousa, Ms Inês Domingos, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Ms Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Monaco, proceeded to the Salon des Glaces for the signing of a Framework Cooperation Agreement, in the presence of Ms Marie-Catherine Caruso Ravera, Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations.
Beyond reflecting shared values, this Framework Cooperation Agreement, signed between the two governments, marks a new dynamic in bilateral relations and paves the way for ambitious joint initiatives. It demonstrates their mutual determination to reinforce dialogue and ties between the two countries. The agreement represents a key step in deepening cooperation by identifying priority areas for action and intensifying partnerships in the fields of economy, trade, investment, science, the oceans, and the environment.
Following the signing, President Rebelo de Sousa signed the official register of Heads of State.
Initiatives of Princess Charlene’s Foundation
Later, in the Winter Garden, at the request of President Rebelo de Sousa, an in-depth discussion was held with Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene, in the presence of the Sovereign Prince and Mr Gareth Wittstock, Secretary General of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. This meeting provided an opportunity to review in detail the social initiatives of Princess Charlene’s foundation.
As the President and Their Serene Highnesses left the Prince’s Palace, military honours were once again rendered in their presence.
At 2:50 p.m., the program continued in the Saint-Martin Gardens with the presentation of the outdoor photography exhibition “Sovereign Oceanographer”, displayed along the garden railings, by Mr Thomas Fouilleron, Director of the Archives and Library of the Prince’s Palace, and Mr Vincent Vatrican, Director of the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco. This was followed by the unveiling of a bust in tribute to King Carlos I of Portugal and a wreath-laying ceremony before the statue of Prince Albert I, in memory of the friendship between the two sovereigns.
Oceanographic Museum
The visit concluded at the Oceanographic Museum, where the Sovereign Prince and the Portuguese President viewed the spaces “Monaco and the Ocean” and “Mediterranean 2050” before attending the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Monaco Sea Academy and the Atlantic Center. This cooperation agreement aims to strengthen research and geopolitical analysis of the oceans, in order to better understand global maritime dynamics and act together for their preservation. Monaco has been a constant supporter of Portugal in environment & ocean issues.
This welcome visit to Monaco is one of the last visits of President Rebelo de Sousa’s term.
