Top Monaco princely news: galas, awards and visits of hounour

Prince Albert visits Grasse to Honour Grimaldi

On Tuesday the 26th of September, the Prince visited Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes), as part of his regular visits to territories historically linked to the Grimaldi dynasty. He was welcomed by Mr. Jérôme Viaud, Mayor and President of the Agglomeration Community of Grasse, and by the sub-prefect of the arrondissement, Mr. Stéphane Daguin.

Jean-André Grimaldi and his nephew Augustin, lord of Monaco, were both bishops of Grasse from 1483 to 1505 and from 1505 to 1532. As humanist prelates during the Renaissance, they played a role in the re-founding and repopulation of the surrounding villages: Mouans-Sartoux, Cabris, Auribeau, Magagnosc, Pégomas and Valbonne. Augustin Grimaldi played an important role in affirming the sovereignty of Monaco, making its independence recognized by the pope and by Emperor Charles V in 1524.

Before visiting the cathedral, HSH Prince Albert II spoke in front of a crowd who gathered to welcome him as he unveiled a plaque commemorating Augustin Grimaldi, which will be affixed to the town hall and former Episcopal Palace. In the garden of the Museum of Art and History of Provence, the Sovereign Prince also inaugurated a flowerbed entitled “Grace de Monaco” in memory of the Princess’ visit, in 1964, during the 1st International Literary Festival of Grasse.

Prince Albert of Monaco welcomes Blue Marine foundation’s London to Monaco bike challenge riders to the finish line

26th September 2017 HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has given more than 50 cyclists a royal welcome at his palace, as they completed more than 1500km cycling in aid of Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) – the UK-based marine conservation charity.

Launched by BLUE for a second year running, the charity ride aims to raise quarter of a million pounds for ocean conservation – a cause close to the Prince’s heart. The cyclists were waved off from London ten days ago by actress, model and BLUE ambassador, Poppy Delevingne.

The money raised will help BLUE achieve its aim of protecting vast tracts of the world’s oceans.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco,who is the Founding Patron of the Blue Marine Yacht Club, and who greeted the riders at the end of their challenge said: “Oceans are more than ever at the heart of our common future. The London to Monaco Cycle Ride is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness on the necessity to protect our fragile oceans.”

This year, the ride aims to raise funds for even more projects, including the protection of waters around Ascension Island and the Maldives, as well as the Solent Oyster Restoration Project and Beyond Plastic Med, a project in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation that targets plastic waste in the Mediterranean.

Prince’s Carabinieri Orchestra Concert

On Wednesday the 27th of September, the Prince’s Carabinieri Orchestra gave a free concert on the Place du Palais to celebrate the bicentennial of the Compagnie des Carabiniers. Under the baton of Chief Warrant Officer Olivier Dréan, the musicians performed an eclectic and original repertoire, playing military music as well as a bit of pop music, with titles such as ‘The Daughter of the Regiment’ and ‘Don’t stop me now’ by Queen.

Wishing to reconnect with tradition, Prince Albert II attended the concert from the balcony of the Prince’s Palace, as his father, Prince Rainier, did before him. Every year, the Orchestra dedicates an aubade to Prince Rainier on his birthday. At 11:55 am, the Orchestra headed to the Carabinieri Barracks and accompanied the rising guard with the great ‘Relève de la Garde’. This event is always a favourite for tourists.

Leonardo DiCaprio receives the “Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Award”

On Thursday the 28th of September, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation organized a gala at the Monte-Carlo Opera house which raised $14 million to fund initiatives which help protect our oceans. Since its launch in 2006, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has made oceans one of its top priorities.

Organized by Milutin Gatsby, the Global Fundraising Chair of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and chaired by HSH Prince Albert II, accompanied by HSH Princess Charlene, the first Monte Carlo Gala for the Oceans began with a speech by the Sovereign Prince, who underlined the importance of preserving our oceans and protecting natural marine habitats.

HSH the Sovereign Prince then presented Oscar-winning actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio with the “Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Award” for his tremendous work in protecting and preserving our planet.

The works of Francis Bacon, the Haas brothers, Pablo Picasso and Jeff Koons were auctioned off as well as unique experiences, such as a one-on-one dinner with Prince Albert II at the Prince’s Palace.

Prince Albert awards Senator John Kerry in Montreal

From Friday the 29th of September to Sunday the 1st of October, HSH Prince Albert II was in Montreal to attend the annual Consuls d’Amérique du Nord meeting (for the USA and Canada) and the Board of Directors of the Albert II Foundation meeting. The Board of Directors meeting took place in Canada for the first time and was attended by all of its international representatives, who reviewed 13 notable environmental projects.

On Saturday the 30th, Prince Albert presented the Foundation’s 2017 Awards, including a special award to Senator John Kerry for his commitment to protecting the planet. Mr. Kerry was Secretary of State under President Obama and signed the Paris Agreement for the USA in December 2015.

On Sunday the 1st of October, the Monegasque Sovereign flew to Rimouski, where he met with the Prime Minister of Quebec, Philippe Couillard and scientists from the Marine Biotechnology Research Centre.

Australia and Monaco come together for the Princess Charlene Foundation

Monaco’s Embassy and the Honorary Consulate in Sydney organized a benefit dinner for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. The event was part of “Monaco Week Sydney” which celebrated the 10th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Principality and Australia.

Thanks to the involvement of the Société des Bains de Mer, the event’s 120 guests had the privilege of enjoying a menu which was jointly created by Benoit Witz, star chef of the Hôtel Hermitage and Etienne Karner, Resident Chef of the Park Hyatt Sydney.

This is the first time that an event for the Princess Charlene Foundation took place in Australia. The funds raised during the dinner will be used by the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, that is collaborating with the Princess Charlene Foundation to develop education programs about water safety.

Frankie’s Children celebrates 20th anniversary with the Prince at the Yacht Club

Prince Albert, Francien Giraudi, Founding President of Frankie’s Children, Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of the YCM as well as 230 attendees gathered for a dinner to celebrate twenty years of Frankie’s Children. The association supports sick, disabled and disadvantaged children from Monaco and the entire Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

Princess Caroline of Hanover visited Kinshasa, DR Congo

President of the World Association of Children’s Friends (AMADE), Princess Caroline of Hanover visited the Kinshasa city in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As part of her work with AMADE, Princess Caroline on a visit to the Kinshasa to see the progress of the Association’s programs. AMADE is an NGO with international recognition.

Pauline Ducruet, daughter of Stephanie of Monaco, becomes a Fashion Star

At the age of 23, after studying design at the renowned Parsons School of Design in New York, Princess Stephanie’s daughter has just created her own brand of casual and unisex clothing, Altered Designs.

Princess Grace’s granddaughter graced the pages of W Magazine and PAPER, two trendy New York fashion publications.

Sources: www.newmyroyals.com and Blue Foundation