Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attend Nelson Mandela Gala and other news
Ollioules presents a thirty-year-old olive tree to Prince Albert II
Prince Albert II received a rather large and beautiful gift from a delegation who travelled to Monaco from Ollioules. Mayor Robert Beneventi presented the sovereign with the thirty-year-old olive tree. The tree will eventually be planted at the Rocagelestate in Peille. In thanks, Prince Albert II offered each member of the Var delegation a bottle of olive oil from his estate. In March, the Prince travelled to Ollioules to unveil a ‘Grimaldi Historic Site’ sign and visit the resting place of his ancestor, Jean-Charles Grimaldi of Antibes-Cagnes, bishop of Rodez.
Prince Albert II attends the Funeral for Carabinieri Sylvain Panizzi
Prince Albert II and the Carabinieri said their final goodbyes to Sylvain Panizzi on 19 July at the Cathedral. The 32 year old Carabinieri passed away suddenly on 9 July. Part of the Prince’s Carabinieri for eight years and passionate about sport, Sylvain Panizzi tragically lost his life during a parachuting jump in Saint-Amadou, in Ariège, during his holidays.
Rainier III Exhibition at the Prince’s Palace
The “Rainier III: The Builder Prince, An ambition for Monaco” has officially opened at the Quai Antoine I room in the Prince’s Palace. Deemed as the most comprehensive exhibition about Prince Rainier III, the exhibition opens with a gallery of portraits of the Prince, including images of his voluntary enlistment into the French army and his marriage to Grace Kelly. The large-scale portraits are illuminated by objects, letters, sound clips and videos. Highly recommended, the exhibition organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs runs until the end of December.
Prince Albert II inaugurates the New Posidonia Museum in Antibes
Champion of the oceans, Prince Albert II, cut the ribbon and officially inaugurated the new Posidonia Museum, founded with the support of Monaco’s Institut Océanographique. The ocean-themed museum has been in the works for nine years and features a 10,000-litre aquarium full of local marine life. The 2.2 hectare site is located in the old Batterie du Graillon, a former military space which is now a protected site. Renovations began in 2014 and cost a reported €4.2 million. Over 1,300 people have already visited the new museum, which is now open to the public.
Oceanographic Museum signs partnership with the Posidonia in Antibes
A partnership agreement between the ‘Posidonia – Espace Mer et Littoral’ in Antibes and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco was signed during the inauguration of the new interactive space. The event took place in the presence of Prince Albert II, as well as deputy Eric Pauget, Deputy in the National Legislative Assembly of France, Alexandra Borchio-Fontimp, Senator for the Alpes-Maritimes, Jean Leonetti, Mayor of Antibes and many other personalities. The two establishments share the same objective of raising public awareness for the protection of the ocean. The new partnership will help develop technical, educational and commercial collaborations.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attend Nelson Mandela Gala
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended a gala dinner at the Yacht Club for the benefit of the Nelson Mandela Foundation on 18 July. Zenani Mandela-Dlamini, daughter of Nelson Mandela and Ambassador of South Africa to South Korea, and Anant Singh, producer of the film ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ were present at the Gala. The evening celebrated Nelson Mandela and his legacy on his 105th birthday, internationally recognized as “Mandela Day”. A free screening of the 2013 film, held at the Princess Grace Theatre also celebrated the anti-apartheid activist and first president of South Africa. The Gala was a collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Anant and Vanashree Singh Foundation.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attend Monaco Town Council Dinner
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the traditional, candlelit dinner organized by the Town Council of Monaco. The dinner took place outdoors at City Hall on 19 July. Princess Charlene looked elegant in a black dress with lace shoulders by Akris and Prince Albert II looked dapper in a blue suit with a silver tie.
Princess Charlene Foundation receives Two Big Donations at the Prince’s Palace
Princess Charlene received members of Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo and Alice et Alexia from the Wondermums Rallye at the Prince’s Palace on 19 July. The Princess was presented with two cheques in for her Foundation. Jimmy’z presented Princess Charlene with a cheque for €18,900 and the Wondermums presented her with a cheque for €8,500. The funds raised will be used for the “Swim for Safety” project in Sri Lanka.
