Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the exciting podium ceremony of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix on May 25 2025. British driver Lando Norris won Monaco’s Grand Prix for the first time. Monegasque driver, Charles Leclerc, won second place. Australian driver, Oscar Piastri, came in third.
On the evening of May 22, 2025, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the official reception for the 82nd Monaco Grand Prix, held in the Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace.
Several members of the Princely family attended the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, including Prince Jacques, Charlotte Casiraghi, Raphaël Elmaleh, Andrea Casiraghi, Tatiana Santo Domingo, India Casiraghi, Princess Alexandra, Ben Sylvester Strautmann, Louis Ducruet, Marie Ducruet, Camille Gottlieb and Pauline Ducruet.
Princely Family attend Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying Session
Prince Albert II attended the third practice session of the Monaco F1 on Saturday May 24. Charlotte Casiraghi and her eldest son, Raphaël Elmaleh, along with Princess Alexandra and Ben Sylvester Strautmann, attended the Grand Prix qualifying session on the same day.
Princely Couple hand out Hats Signed by Charles Leclerc at the Monaco Grand Prix
The Princely couple visited the stand for the Monegasque Association for the Physically Disabled on May 24. There, they gifted caps signed by Charles Leclerc to race attendees. Located on the ramparts of Monaco-Ville, the specially adapted viewing area for people with reduced mobility offers one of the best vantage points on the circuit.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene visit Children supported by MLD during Monaco Grand Prix
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene visited children at a special Grand Prix viewing area, located on a terrace at Quai Albert I, on May 23, 2025. The Monaco Liver Disorder (MLD) Association has offered this viewing space to children for the past 14 years. About thirty young patients suffering from serious medical conditions were able to enjoy a day at the Grand Prix.
Princess Caroline welcomed by Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel
The Princess of Hanover made an official visit to Cuba as part of a tour by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. The company premiered Core Meu (My Heart) at the National Theatre of Cuba in Havana on May 16.
Accompanied by her daughter, Princess Alexandra, and Ben Sylvester Strautmann, Princess Caroline was received at the Palace of Conventions in Havana by President Miguel Díaz-Canel on May 17. The meeting was also attended by Alpidio Alonso, Cuban poet and Minister of Culture, and Viengsay Valdés, prima ballerina and general director of the National Ballet of Cuba.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attend Pope Leo XIV Inauguration Mass at the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV, history’s first American pope, offered a message of communion during his inaugural mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, in front of an estimated crowd of 200,000 people. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the mass, along with many other world leaders and royals. King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein were in attendance. After the Mass, members of the royal families, along with other heads of delegation, greeted Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica.
At Pope Leo’s inauguration, most women wore black veils, but some Catholic royal women, like Princess Charlene, are granted the “privilège du blanc,” allowing them to wear white veils and dresses. This privilege symbolizes their dynasties’ historical ties to the Church.
Princess Caroline attends Ballet Performance in Havana
Princess Caroline attended the Ballets de Monte-Carlo performance at the National Theatre of Cuba in Havana on May 16, 2025. Upon her arrival, the Princess was welcomed by Jean-Christophe Maillot, director and choreographer of the Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo.
The event marked the second time the Principality’s ballet company performed in Cuba. Princess Caroline also accompanied the company during their previous visit in 2015. Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo was originally founded in 1936 and was revived in 1985 through the initiative of Princess Caroline.
Princess Caroline wore a batik dress by Muzungu Sisters, a fashion company co-founded by her daughter-in-law, Tatiana Casiraghi.
Princess Charlene attends Memorial Mass for Lorenzo Renou
Princess Charlene attended the memorial Mass for Lorenzo Renou, a 17-year-old ASM Basket player, on May 15 at the Cathedral. Lorenzo tragically passed away after a road accident on May 10, 2025. The ceremony was held in the presence of Lorenzo Renou’s family, teammates, players from the Roca Team, and many prominent figures from the Principality.
Lorenzo passed away after a minibus accident, in which he was travelling with his coach, three team-mates and a driver, all of whom were treated by the emergency services. Lorenzo was a dedicated student, top of his class in Première STMG at Lycée Albert I. He played in the National 3 league and was also a member of the ASM Basket Youth Team.
Prince Albert II pays tribute to Sebastião Salgado, World-renowned Photographer
Prince Albert II paid tribute to the memory of the Brazilian master of black and white photography, Sebastião Salgado, who died on May 23 at the age of 81.
“It is with deep emotion and great sadness that I learned of the death of Sebastião Salgado,” said Prince Albert II in an official statement.
Sebastião Salgado died of complications from severe leukemia, which may have stemmed from a strain of malaria which the photographer contracted in 2010 whilst in Indonesia during his Genesis photography project.
Since their first meeting in the Principality in 2012, Prince Albert II had developed a special relationship with the photographer, actively supporting his “O Instituto Terra” Foundation, which has planted more than three million trees to date. In May 2020, the Prince co-signed a petition initiated by Salgado to protect the indigenous peoples of Brazil threatened by COVID-19. The Prince said that he was looking forward to seeing him again at COP30 in Brazil.
Prince Albert II inaugurates Malaussène Mill, restored after Storm Alex
Prince Albert II visited Malaussène, a small town of 300 inhabitants located 60 kilometres from Monaco, to inaugurate the restored 18th-century oil mill and the Malaussène viaduct, which were severely damaged during Storm Alex in October 2020. The restoration was made possible thanks to a €200,000 grant from the Principality of Monaco.
A commemorative plaque, thanking Prince Albert II and his government, was unveiled on the facade of the mill, which dates back to 1775. The 40 metre high viaduct played an essential role for the commune since it supplied water two mills, the municipal wash house and ensured the irrigation of the crops.
The day after the disaster, which caused the loss of 18 lives and significant damage to infrastructure, the Principality mobilized €4 million in emergency aid. Later, a €3 million funding program was established to support reconstruction projects in the Roya, Vésubie, Tinée, and Var valleys. Other funded initiatives include the reconstruction of a bridge in Breil-sur-Roya, repairs to village walls in Saorge and the restoration of a roof of La Brigue church.
Prince Albert II makes Historic Visit to Pompeii
Prince Albert II travelled to Italy (Irsina and Pompeii) for a two-day tour of territories historically linked to his family. In Irisina, he unveiled a Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco sign. The Sovereign then unveiled a commemorative plaque of his visit in Piazza San Francesco, before giving a speech and visiting the church and Cathedral of Santa Eufemia.
Irsina, called Montepeloso in the 16th and 17th centuries, was a lordship enfeoffed to a branch of the Grimaldi of Genoa, close to the Grimaldi of Monaco. Girolamo, a relative of Lord Honoré I, was the first Grimaldi lord of Montepeloso.
In Pompeii, the Prince was received by the mayor and Italian authorities before visiting the world-famous ancient archaeological site, tragically preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Prince Albert then visited the sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary in Pompeii.
Prince Albert II supports Monaco’s Athletes in the Games of the Small States of Europe
The opening ceremony of the Games of the Small States of Europe will take place on May 26, in the presence of Prince Albert II. With the excitement of the Monaco Grand Prix still palpable, the Monegasque delegation competing in the 20th Games of the Small States of Europe is travelling to Andorra. A total of 123 athletes (69 men and 54 women) will be representing the Principality in twelve disciplines, with the goal of collecting as many medals as possible to maintain Monaco’s fourth place among the nine nations.
Sara Allag (judo) and Téo Andant (athletics, 400m and 4x400m relay) will be Monaco’s flag bearers. At 38, Sara Allag (2 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze) will be competing in her 7th Games (after Monaco 2007, Cyprus 2009, Liechtenstein 2011, San Marino 2017, Montenegro 2019, and Malta 2023). At 25, Téo Andant (5 gold and 1 bronze) will be competing in his 4th Games (after San Marino 2017, Montenegro 2019, and Malta 2023).
