Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and the princely twins, Jacques and Gabriella, visited Carladès, an area with one of the oldest historical ties between the Principality and France. The visit began in Vic-sur-Cère, where the Countess of Carladès title was granted to Princess Gabriella. The Count of Carladès title was granted to Prince Honoré II of Monaco by King Louis XIII in 1643. Since then, the title has traditionally been held by the second in line of succession. The square in the town centre was then inaugurated as “Princess Gabriella Square”. Princess Gabriella then received the key to the city from Annie Delrieu, mayor of Vic-sur-Cère, and vice-president of the French association of Grimaldi Historic Sites.
In the early afternoon, the princely family visited Mur-de-Barrez, where they were welcomed by Pierre Ignace, mayor of the commune and member of the official French delegation during Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to Monaco. There, a new media library was officially named the Princess Gabriella Media Library. The day continued in Cantal, in Carlat, where a botanical garden named after Princess Gabriella was inaugurated. A family photo was snapped near the same tree that Princess Charlotte, the Sovereign’s grandmother, was photographed during in 1912.
Prince Albert II inaugurates “Colors!” Summer Exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum
Wearing a colourful tie, the Sovereign launched “Colors!” a multi-sensory exhibition featuring over one hundred works from the Centre Pompidou, on July 7. Princess Alexandra and her partner, Ben Sylvester Strautmann were also in attendance.
Devoted to a modern history of colour through major 20th-century masterpieces, the exhibition is curated by Didier Ottinger, deputy director of the Musée National d’Art Moderne. The Prince viewed works from thirty major artists, from Sonia Delaunay to Jean-Michel Basquiat and Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Henri Matisse, Vassily Kandinsky and others. At the heart of the exhibition, seven monochromatic spaces are enhanced by sound creations by composer Roque Rivas and olfactory ambiences developed by “nose” Alexis Dadier in collaboration with Maison Fragonard.
Prince Albert II inaugurates “Tomorrow’s Ocean?” Exhibition
The Sovereign viewed a new exhibition that pays tribute to the ocean in the exhibition hall on Quai Antoine Ier, on July 8. “Tomorrow’s Ocean?” is a six-part artistic journey that explores the climate emergency and ocean protection. The exhibition features 71 works by 34 artists from five continents which question humanity’s relationship with the marine world.
The exhibition, which runs until September 7, is part of “La Mer en Commun – Année de la Mer”, an initiative of the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, as well as the Blue Economy and Finance Forum and the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) which took place in Monaco and Nice in June.
Prince Albert II speaks about choosing Christophe Mirmand as new Minister of State
Prince Albert II recently gave an interview to Monaco-Matin to talk about the appointment of Christophe Mirmand as Monaco’s future Minister of State, following Philippe Mettoux’s decision to step down at the end of June. Christophe Mirmand is set to take over the leadership of the Prince’s Government on September 1.
The Sovereign spoke about Christophe Mirmand’s experience as former prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Corsica and French Guiana. The choice was made from three names proposed by President Macron, within the framework of the 2002 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between France and Monaco. Prince Albert II justified his choice by describing the future Minister of State’s sensitivity, his listening and arbitration skills, as well as his excellent knowledge of administrative structure and public action.
Princess Caroline and Charlotte Casiraghi present prizes to Longines Global Champions Tour Monaco
The Princess of Hannover and her daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi presented the prizes to the winners of the Monaco leg of the Longines Global Champions, on July 5. For the occasion, Princess Caroline wore a dress by Saloni, while Charlotte Casiraghi wore dress by Chanel.
Simon Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper claimed first prize of the €1.5 million Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco. Harry Charles with Sherlock came in second. Kim Emmen delivered an exceptional round atop Imagine N.O.P., claiming a well-earned third-place. A star-studded audience, complete with celebrities from motorsport and equestrian competitions enjoyed the exhilarating competition. Held under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, who watched the exciting competition with his cousin, Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, the energy of the eighth Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix was simply electric.
Princess Caroline, Charlotte Casiraghi, Raphaël Elmaleh and Princess Alexandra attended the Longines Pro-Am Cup relay races on July 4. Founded in 2010 by Charlotte Casiraghi and held under the patronage of Princess Caroline, this year’s edition raised €20,000 for AMADE. Eleven teams participated this year, with the remarkable Team Paneraj & Partner Estate taking the win. Professional rider, Felipe Coutinho Mendonca Nagata, and rising talent, Giacomo Paneraj, set a flawless time of 65.65 seconds to claim the victory. Prizes were awarded by Princess Caroline and Charlotte Casiraghi, with signature Longines watches presented to both winners.
Princess Charlene toasts to Prince Albert II at the 76th Monaco Red Cross Ball
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the 76th Monaco Red Cross Charity Gala at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on July 12. Camille Gottlieb, Louis Ducruet, and his wife Marie Chevallier were also in attendance.
Princess Charlene gave a moving speech to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Prince’s reign. The toast was a secretly planned surprise, as July 12 coincided with the twentieth anniversary of Prince Albert II’s accession to the throne. Before dinner began, the Princess went on stage alone to make the beautiful and touching speech.
“Thank you for leading this institution over the past forty years and for working tirelessly for its development and influence. Thank you for your dedication and your commitment. Tonight, I speak because it is a very special day.
This 12th of July marks exactly the twentieth anniversary of your accession. Twenty years ago, you took the reins of the Principality and since that day, you have guided Monaco with wisdom, courage and determination. In international politics, you are a steady and value-based force that embodies the importance of soft power with your engagement for the environment. You have initiated, in Monaco, many changes, which implied sometimes difficult decisions, but they were necessary for the future of our country.
Your wish for unity and serenity for Monaco have been your guiding force. Monseigneur, Albert, you know that I am always by your side, along with the Monegasques. We are standing with you, with all our hearts, to protect Monaco and its future under your leadership.
We love you, we support you, and we thank you for always being there for all of us. So before wishing everyone a wonderful gala evening, let’s raise our glass to our Prince. To you, Albert,” said Princess Charlene.
