Prince Albert II attends unveiling of Vuelta Route 2026
In the presence of Prince Albert II, the route for the 2026 Vuelta was officially unveiled at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on 18 December. Monaco will be hosting the grand departure of the 81st edition in August, a historic first.
Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, the race’s Director General, Javier Guillén and several professional cyclists were also present, including Victor Langellotti, the only Monegasque athlete who will participate in the tour.
On the first day of the race, cyclists will set off on a 9.6-kilometre individual time trial through the streets of the Principality. The following day, participants will depart from Monaco to Manosque, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. The race will then cross the south of France before reaching Spain.
Prince Albert II said that the event will be a very Mediterranean Vuelta, very mountainous too, with spectacular mountain stages and he hope that perhaps the Monegasque cyclist will fly the flag for the Principality!
Princess Stephanie puts an end to “Retirement Rumours”
Princess Stephanie put an end to rumours hinting at her withdrawal from public life in a recent interview with Gala magazine. The president of Fight Aids Monaco spoke to the press on World AIDS Day, 1 December, and confirmed that she never said that she was retiring. She then said that she will always remain committed to Fight Aids Monaco, which she founded over twenty years ago.
Princess Stephanie recently inaugurated the association’s new rapid testing HIV clinic and was honoured at the Princely Palace when she was elevated to the rank of Commander of the Order of Cultural Merit, in mid-November
Princess Charlene visits Monaco SPA Animal Shelter in Peille
Princess Charlene visited the Société Protectrice des Animaux (SPA) in the village of Peille on 18 December. The Princess was accompanied by her brother, Gareth Wittstock, Camille Gottlieb and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy. Together, they met with the shelter’s workers and members of the Board of Directors.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene officially inaugurated the SPA animal shelter in September. Princess Charlene is the President of the Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) of Monaco.
The building is in the heart of a natural area, at an altitude of 700 metres and is a true haven for animals. It can accommodate up to 40 dogs and 50 cats. People can visit the shelter and adopt pets without an appointment.
Princely Family hosts Children’s Christmas Party at the Palace
The Princely Family hosted the traditional Children’s Christmas Party on Wednesday 17 December at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, along with their children Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella gave out gifts and goodies to the Monegasque children aged 5 to 12. Princess Stephanie, Camille Gottlieb, and Louis Ducruet also attended the festive event, along with a very special guest: Santa!
Princess Charlene receives “Star Award” at Monaco’s Christmas Ball
The Princely Couple attended the traditional Christmas Ball, held in the Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo on 12 December. Held under the High Patronage of Princess Charlene, the event featured a Sotheby’s charity auction, with all proceeds donated to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
During the gala, Princess Charlene received the “Monaco Star” Award from Sandrine Knoell, organizer of the event. The International Christmas Ball Action Committee decided that Princess Charlene should win the gala’s first award, for her dedication to the well-being of children. The Princess received a standing ovation when she was presented with the inaugural award.
Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline make Historic Visit to Ardennes
The Sovereign and the Princess of Hanover officially inaugurated Arnicourt into the Grimaldi network of historical sites on Saturday 13 December. Last April, the funeral of Pope Francis had forced Prince Albert II to cut his trip to Ardennes short.
Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline continued their visit of the region by heading to Chaumont-Porcien. The Prince first visited the area on 3 April 2018 and said he was happy to return to the commune.
Prince Albert II condemns Anti-Semitic attack in Australia
The Sovereign expressed his condolences to Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, after an anti-Semitic terrorist attack killed at least 15 people on Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Jewish celebration on 14 December.
“It is with deep emotion that I learned of the tragic anti-Semitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Hanukkah celebration ,” Prince Albert II wrote in the official statement, “our thoughts are with the bereaved families of the victims of this unspeakable act of violence. On behalf of the people of Monaco, my family, and myself, please allow us to express our profound sorrow and sadness.”
The attack, carried out by a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, is the deadliest terror incident and the second-deadliest mass shooting in modern Australian history. Among the victims were a rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, and a 27-year-old French national, Dan Elkayam. The older assailant was shot dead by police, while his son was heroically disarmed by a Muslim passerby, Ahmed al-Ahmed.
