Prince Albert II Launches La Vuelta in Turin
Prince Albert II officially launched La Vuelta 2025 in Turin, on Saturday, August 23. Before the launch, Prince Albert II greeted participants at the starting line, including Monaco’s Victor Langellotti (INEOS Grenadiers) and Brandon Rivera, who trained at the Monaco Cycling Union.
Next summer, on August 22, 2026, the Principality will have the honour of hosting the Grand Départ of La Vuelta a España, the third Grand Tour of world cycling. The routes for the Monaco stages will be unveiled on October 25. Organizers have planned two stages: an intra-muros time trial with a launch ramp in front of the Monte-Carlo Casino, followed by a second stage starting from the Prince’s Palace. Monaco hosted a Grand Départ in 2019 with the Giro d’Italia.
Prince Albert II expresses Solidarity after Deadly Fires in Spain and Portugal
Prince Albert II addressed King Felipe VI of Spain and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to express Monaco’s solidarity in the face of deadly fires. Since August 12, eight people have lost their lives in these fires, including firefighters killed in the line of duty. More than 400,000 hectares have been destroyed in Spain and 216,000 hectares in Portugal.
Your Majesty,
It is with deep emotion that I learned of the violent fires ravaging several regions of your Kingdom, causing significant material damage and, sadly, loss of life. In these particularly painful circumstances, Princess Charlene and I wish to express to you and to the Spanish people our deepest solidarity and sincere compassion. Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and the many injured and affected. I also salute the courage and dedication of the emergency services and the forces engaged in the fight against the flames, who are working tirelessly to protect the population. Please accept, Your Majesty, the expression of my sincere condolences and support in this difficult time. – Prince Albert II’s official dispatch to King Felipe VI of Spain.
Mr. President,
I learned with great shock of the terrible fires that are affecting your country. My family and the people of Monaco join me in expressing to the Portuguese people our solidarity, our compassion for the bereaved families, and our best wishes for the recovery of the injured. Please be assured, Mr. President, of our unwavering support in these very difficult times. – Prince Albert II’s official dispatch to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Princess Charlene: “Learning to swim should be a fundamental right” after Rise in Drownings this Summer
In an exclusive interview with Ouest-France, Princess Charlene voiced her passionate and unwavering commitment to water safety. Over 190 people lost their lives by drowning in France this summer, a 45% increase compared to 2024, explained in part by an extra-hot summer.
Princess Charlene is personally affected by the subject, because her cousin, Richard, died after drowning in a river at the age of five, when she herself was only a child. She said in the interview that it was devastating for her whole family and that kind of pain never really goes away.
Committed to teaching children to swim through her Foundation, Princess Charlene believes that learning to swim should be a fundamental right, just like learning to read.
Prince Albert II celebrates 50th anniversary of Conservatoire du Littoral
Prince Albert II presided over a special ceremony in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Conservatoire du Littoral, on August 27. Created by the law of July 10, 1975, the institution preserves approximately 18% of France’s coastline, or more than 220,000 hectares.
After the ceremony, the Sovereign visited Le Corbusier’s Cabanon and Villa E-1027 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the architect’s death, on 27 August 1965. The Cabanon, built of wood and now owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral, illustrates this convergence between modern architecture and the preservation of natural sites. Many guests wore white shirts and round glasses, a nod to Le Corbusier’s recognizable style.
The Franco-Swiss architect’s legacy can be felt in the Mediterranean region. Seventeen of his works are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Prince Albert II closes the World Theatre Festival at the Yacht Club
The 18th World Theatre Festival closed Wednesday evening at the Yacht Club of Monaco in the presence of Prince Albert II, after a week of artistic exchanges between troupes from around the world. The festival brought together companies from 18 countries to celebrate amateur theatre. Organized every four years by the Studio de Monaco, the event has existed since 1957. The festival is not a competition, but an artistic meeting where each troupe presents its vision of theatre. Each company performed on two consecutive evenings, either at the Théâtre des Variétés or the Théâtre Princesse Grace. The festival also featured workshops led by international specialists and symposiums bringing together critics, directors and actors.
Prince Albert II visits Lithuania’s Presidential Palace
Prince Albert II traveled to Vilnius, where he was welcomed to the Presidential Palace by Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, on August 29.
The two heads of state discussed strengthening ties between the two countries in the fields of economy, culture, tourism, and sports, as well as the use of digital tools in healthcare. The fight against climate change was also a key topic of discussion. The meeting concluded with a joint reaffirmation of support for the restoration of peace in Ukraine.
