Albert II makes Historic visit to Southern Italy and other princely news

Prince Albert II traveled to Ripacandida, a town in the province of Potenza, southern Italy, as part of his trips to territories historically linked to the Grimaldi family. Welcomed at the entrance of the city by Mayor Giuseppe Sarcuno, the Sovereign Prince unveiled a “Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco” plaque. Then, guided by the mayor, the Prince met the city’s elected officials at the Town Hall before walking to the People’s Square to listen to speeches made by the mayor, the President of the region Vito Bardi, and Prefect Michele Campanaro. The Prince, in turn, expressed his thanks to the municipality and local authorities for the warm welcome and recalled the centuries-old ties that exist between the Principality and Ripacandida. He then unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit and named the Belvedere “Belvédère des Princes de Monaco”.

The Prince then walked to the Palazzo Lioy, a residence which belonged to a noble family who served the lords of Monaco. On this occasion, the Lioy family offered him the original (and very beautiful) doctorate degree from the University of Naples, awarded to one of their ancestors in 1609, at the time when the rulers of Monaco were lords of Ripacandida. On the diploma is the illuminated Grimaldi coat of arms.

The Prince then visited the sanctuary of San Donato, a former Franciscan convent dating from the 15th century, listed as a national monument since December 2010. In the gardens of the sanctuary, the Sovereign and his delegation took part in a lunch offered by the town hall of Ripacandida. The day ended with a dinner in the presence of the Monegasque delegation and the mayors of Ripacandida, Monteverde, Canosa di Puglia and Terlizzi.

Prince Albert II continues Historic visit to Southern Italy

On Tuesday 4 October, HSH Prince Albert II visited Monteverde, a town in Southern Italy. At the entrance to the village with 460 inhabitants, the Sovereign unveiled a new “Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco” sign in the company of the mayor, Antonio Vella. He then went to the Castello Baronale (Principi Grimaldi), built in the 9th century by the Lombards, which was the seat of the princely stronghold. In front of the building, the Prince and his delegation listened to Monegasque and Italian anthems performed by a local orchestra before children from the village sang a verse of the Monegasque anthem.

Under the balcony of the castle, the Sovereign Prince unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit, in the presence of Paola Spena, prefect of Avellino, Vincenzo De Luca, president of the Campania region, and the mayor. Inside the building, the Prince was able to admire the remains of a fresco representing the coat of arms of his ancestors. The Sovereign then walked through the narrow streets of the town to meet the townspeople, who had come in large numbers to celebrate the friendship and the historical ties that unite the Principality and Monteverde. The princely visit to southern Italy ended with a lunch offered by the municipality, during which HSH the Prince and his delegation tasted regional specialities.

Celebrating the Centenary of Avenue Prince Albert Ier de Monaco in La Turbie

On 1 October, Prince Albert II celebrated the centenary of avenue Prince Albert Ier de Monaco with the mayor of La Turbie, Jean-Jacques Raffaele, and the people of La Turbie. Created on 26 June 1922, the avenue was named by the mayor Philippe Casimir (1853-1939) who was a scholar, journalist and archeology enthusiast.

After pausing in front of the plaque on avenue Prince Albert Ier and taking a stroll through the alleys of the old town, the Prince and his delegation went to the entrance of the Trophy of Augustus site (Centre des Monuments Nationaux). There, the Sovereign unveiled a plaque commemorating the granting of his honorary citizenship to La Turbie, next to the plaque in honour of Prince Rainier III. The afternoon tribute ended with a guided tour of the Trophée des Alpes, where a plaque recalls the passage of President Armand Fallières on 27 April 1909, just before his visit to the Prince’s Palace and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

‘Plastic Odyssey’ Laboratory Ship stops in Monaco for a visit by Prince Albert II

Prince Albert II visited the ‘Plastic Odyssey’ laboratory ship, created to research solutions concerning plastic waste, when it made a special stopover in the Principality from Marseille.

The ship’s mission is to travel through areas most affected by plastic pollution for three years in order to help create recycling centres all over the world. Thirty stopovers are planned to carry out awareness-raising events. Next stop: Beirut in Lebanon!

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation signs Partnership with UBS Optimus Foundation Europe

On 30 September, in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, UBS Optimus Foundation Europe, UBS Monaco and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation signed a partnership agreement to increase climate mitigation thanks to the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean. The collaboration, launched on 29 September during a high-level panel event at the Monte-Carlo Bay, will start in the framework of the Pelagos initiative launched in 2021 by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and its partners.

Princess Charlene supports Wondermums for Rallye des Gazelles

Princess Charlene of Monaco will be supporting the Wondermums team, made up of Alice and Alexia, who will be competing in the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles 2023 for the Princess Charlene Foundation, more specifically for the “Swim for Safety” project in Sri Lanka. The 100% female off-road rally will take place through the deserts of Morocco.

“In 5 months, we will be on the move, far from everyone we love, facing the unknown. This challenge means a lot to us. We have been fighting to raise funds for more than 7 months, we are approaching the fateful date and we are boosted by the support of our entourage. Wondermums Power,” states the Wondermums on social media.

Princess Caroline attends 17RGP Military Ceremony in Montauban

Princess Caroline of Hanover joined the paratroopers of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment (17RGP) as they celebrated Saint Michael’s day, patron saint of paratroopers, during a military ceremony on the national square of the Ville de Montauban. Princess Caroline is the godmother of the regiment. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the sponsorship between the Princess and the 17RGP.

Saint Michael was officially made the Patron Saint of paratroopers during the Second World War. The regiment’s mascot is a real bald eagle named Malizia, who was given to the regiment by Princess Caroline.