Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene open 17th Monaco Blue Initiative
The Princely Couple opened the 17th edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative (MBI) at the Oceanographic Museum on Wednesday 27 May 2026. World leaders in ocean governance, international organizations, NGOs, the private sector, the scientific community and the media gathered for the event.
Prince Albert II gave an opening address at 9am, after an early coffee and networking event. The Sovereign called for the ocean to be recognized as a viable asset for sustainable finance. The results and recommendations of the MBI will soon be brought to high-level international discussions and negotiations on ocean protection and governance, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the International Marine Protected Areas Congress.
Princess Charlene defends Sport as a Tool for Equality before European Parliamentarians
Princess Charlene was the guest of honour at the Femmes@APCE group’s working breakfast, where she championed sport as a tool for equality and empowerment within the framework of Monaco’s recent presidency of the Council of Europe.
In her opening remarks, the Princess spoke about how Monaco shares the Assembly’s fundamental values of human dignity, solidarity, and the protection of the most vulnerable. The Princess then presented the actions of her Foundation, which teaches children to swim, raises awareness of water safety, and trains people in rescue techniques. More than 30 participants then shared their experiences and asked questions about the presentation.
Established in 2022, Femmes@APCE is a non-political, multi-party network brings together 250 women members of the Parliamentary Assembly to bring a female perspective to issues relevant to the Council of Europe’s mandate.
Prince Albert II to contribute to F1 Charity Auction during Monaco Grand Prix
The Sovereign will be attending and contributing to the “Formula One for Life” charity auction to benefit the Antoine Alléno Association on 5 June at the Hermitage Hotel. Prince Albert II will be contributing a helmet autographed by himself and designed by Adrien Paviot and Valentin Belgy. Pierre Gasly’s racing suit, Charles Leclerc’s signed helmet, the Alpine RS19 single-seater that competed in the 2019 season, and 30 more lots will also be under the hammer.
The son of three-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, Antoine Alléno, was fatally struck in May 2022 by a repeat offender driving a stolen vehicle. His father founded the association to support bereaved families and fund prevention campaigns. Since Antoine’s death, nearly 3,000 young people aged 15 to 25 have lost their lives on French roads.
The auction idea arose from a meeting between chef Yannick Alléno and driver Pierre Gasly during the Singapore Grand Prix. The driver donated his racing suit and committed to collecting other F1 items.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene to be Received by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia in Madrid
The Princely Couple will be received by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Monaco’s diplomatic mission in Spain and the 10th anniversary of the Spanish branch of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene will visit Madrid on 1 and 2 June for a full program featuring diplomacy, culture, and the environment. It will be the first time Princess Charlene is received by the Spanish royal family. The program will include a meeting with President Pedro Sánchez, visiting the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid, and seeing two Monaco-themed exhibitions.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II Foundations Join Forces for Sport and Ocean Protection
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II attended the official signing of a partnership agreement between their respective foundations on Wednesday 27 May 2026 during the 17th Monaco Blue Initiative. The new agreement aims use the universal language of sport to inspire, unite, and mobilize people around ocean protection.
During the event, Princess Charlene revealed details about the first collaboration between the two foundations: the Together Crossing for the Pelagos Challenge. The water bike event will take place from Viareggio, Italy, to Monaco on 19 and 20 June.
“By combining sport with ocean conservation, my Foundation intends, through The Crossing, to inspire commitment, promote the protection of the Mediterranean, and demonstrate that human achievement and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand…. It will be an invitation to take a fresh look at the fragility and richness of an exceptional marine ecosystem,” said Princess Charlene. More joint initiatives will be unveiled in the coming months.
Princess Stephanie Honours Two New Palace Guards
Princess Stephanie, Godmother of the Prince’s Carabiniers, presented the Corps badges to two Carabiniers cadets from the Jules Rigoard Class at the helicopter landing pad of the Moneghetti Barracks on 26 May 2026. The young recruits had already taken their oaths to HSH Prince Albert II and his family on 4 May 2026.
Princess Stephanie presented the two new recruits with their insignias, which were blessed by Father Christian Venard, Chaplain of the Force Publique. The ceremony concluded with the Monegasque anthem performed by the Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra.
Prince Albert II awards Grimaldi Label to brewery in Percy-en-Normandie
Prince Albert II presented the Grimaldi Federation of Historic Sites label to the Maison Familiale Rurale (‘Rural Family Home’) from Percy-en-Normandie in the courtyard of the Prince’s Palace on 26 May 2026. The distinction honours the initiatives, traditions, and talents that sustain communities with historical ties to the Monegasque dynasty. The Manche commune participated in the 3rd Grimaldi Historic Sites Meeting in 2022. The 7th Grimaldi Historic Sites Meeting is scheduled for 13 and 14 June on the Place du Palais.
Marie Ducruet opens up about Princess Stephanie on Belgian TV
Belgian television program interviewed Marie Ducruet for “Place Royale”, which was aired on Saturday 23 May in the evening. Marie Ducruet spoke to interviewer Alix Battard about the first time she met Louis Ducruet and her relationship with the princely family. She spoke about the down-to-earth nature of her mother-in-law, Princess Stephanie, who always encouraged her to remain true to herself.
Marie Chevalier grew up in Nice and met Louis Ducruet, son of Princess Stephanie, at business school. They married in 2019 and have two daughters, Victoire and Constance, who are Princess Stephanie’s only grandchildren.
Princess Alexandra runs the Brooklyn Half Marathon with Ben-Sylvester Strautmann
Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Ben-Sylvester Strautmann participated in the Brooklyn Half Marathon, a race that brings together over 30,000 seasoned athletes and amateurs. The two athletes were the only participants representing the Principality of Monaco. Considered the most important race of its kind in the United States, the Brooklyn Half Marathon is a 21.1-kilometre race which finishes at the Coney Island promenade. Princess Alexandra finished the race in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 39 seconds. Ben-Sylvester Strautmann finished the race in 1 hour, 29 minutes, and 46 seconds. The couple each earned a medal for their impressive efforts.
Prince Albert II opens Blue Economy and Finance Forum
The Sovereign inaugurated the second edition of the Blue Economy & Finance Forum (BEFF) at the Grimaldi Forum on Thursday 28 May. Organized by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Oceanographic Institute, the BEFF brings together 300 political decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and international experts with the aim to accelerate the transition to a sustainable maritime economy. Last year, the first edition generated €8.7 billion of new firm commitments by 2030 and identified over €25 billion of investments in the ocean transition.
In his opening address, Prince Albert II reflected on the progress made since last year’s event by saying that the question now is not “whether we should invest in the Ocean, but how quickly, and how boldly.”
On the sidelines of the Forum, the Sovereign received Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of Frontier25, as well as Catherine Chabaud, French Minister Delegate for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in audience.
Prince Albert II Foundation and International Association of Cities and Ports sign Memorandum
In the presence of the Sovereign, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the International Association of Cities & Ports (AIVP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Grimaldi Forum during the second edition of the Blue Economy & Finance Forum.
Signed by Romain Ciarlet, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and Bruno Delsalle, General Director of AIVP, the agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between the two organizations to support sustainable, responsible and innovative development between cities, ports and the ocean.
