On an official visit to the Ardennes on 24 and 25 April 2025 Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline paid tribute to the historic ties between the Principality and the French region The passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday forced Prince Albert II of Monaco to cut short his official visit to the Ardennes, initially scheduled to last two days, in order to travel to Rome. Despite the mourning period the Sovereign was keen to honour his commitments last week accepting an invitation from Noël Bourgeois President of the Ardennes Departmental Council This visit reflects the Prince’s desire to develop the historic ties between Monaco and the French territories that once belonged to the Grimaldis Prince Albert II reconnects with Grimaldi history in the Ardennes Accompanied by Princess Caroline of Hanover the Prince first stopped off in Charleville-Mézières at the Musée de l’Ardenne where he visited the exhibition “Comtes de Rethel This was followed by a stop at the Rimbaud Museum before a Republican reception at the Hôtel du Département the Prince unveiled a new Grimaldi sign and hoisted the Monegasque flag The ceremony concluded with speeches in front of the Château Mazarin the former seat of the duchy of the same name Planned visits to Château-Porcien and Arnicourt were cancelled due to the early departure of Prince Albert II and the Princess of Hanover Prince Albert II supports creation of museum in Drôme MonacoTribune straight to your inbox? It's free! The two organizations will join forces to ensure that the stunning – and often fragile − natural environment of snow sports remains sustainable for wildlife, too.   Starting in September 2025, FIS and the Human-Wildlife Initiative will launch a biodiversity impact study focused on two of the more nature-connected FIS disciplines — Alpine Skiing and Freeride — using major international competitions as pilot cases.   “The objective is to assess the impact that snow sports events have on the natural areas around them and to devise solutions to lighten that footprint without taking anything away from the energy and excitement of ski and snowboard,” says Ester Borgioli, the coordinator of the Human-Wildlife Initiative at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.  FIS Sustainability Director Susanna Sieff highlights the importance of FIS’ openness to engaging in partnerships with specialists like those at the Human-Wildlife Initiative. Tasleem Gierdien6 January 2025 | 5:51WATCH: Princess Charlene, Prince Albert and their twins wish Monaco a Happy New YearPrincess Charlene looked stunning while Prince Albert of Monaco struck a tone of optimism, unity and resilience in his annual New Year’s address.Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II appearing on the balcony of the Monaco Palace during National Day celebrations in Monaco. Picture: AFP. Princess Charlene looked stunning as she accompanied her husband, Prince Albert of Monaco, while he delivered his annual New Year’s speech. The royal couple's 10-year-old twins joined their parents for the traditional New Year’s video message.  In the video, Prince Albert, Princess Charlene, and their twins wished everyone a Happy New Year in three languages. During his traditional New Year’s address, delivered from the historic Guard Room of the Palais Princier de Monaco in the presence of his wife and their children, a composed Prince Albert II reflected on the challenges and achievements of 2024 while sharing his inspiring vision for the year ahead. The Prince of Monaco struck a tone of optimism, unity and resilience in his annual address, reaffirming his commitment to the Principality’s prosperity and wellbeing while the family looked dashing, matching in their navy outfits. Sections Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio A smiling gentleman from Plettenberg Bay asked me soon after I’d arrived in Prince Albert last Friday what I would be writing about the first Vino Camino as you take the final sip and write the last word Let’s start a very long time ago. Once upon a time in 1975, the 20-year-old version of me climbed into a Volksie Beetle with my Londoner friend Tim Sanders and an American girl we had met. I don’t recall her name but her thick ginger hair was plaited right down her back, unforgettably, over her blue denim jeans and jacket. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The Stellenbosch Wine Route was barely weeks old and we were off to Stellenbosch to taste wines A flash of memory has just brought it back to me: it was Tim’s sister Libby’s Beetle then drove via Muratie to Delheim for a ploughman’s platter golden nectar that he had first made in 1961; it was already a legend Albert van Niekerk of Crystallum and Van Niekerk Vintners (left); legendary Rijk Melck of the equally legendary Muratie winemaker with her larger-than-life dad Niels at Luddite Standing on a sunny stoep in Prince Albert last weekend my mind roared back to 1975 and that similarly sunny afternoon on the farm But there was more history to unfold in Prince Albert that day in the grounds of the Yellow House on the far edge of town After tasting the lauded wines of Luddite winemaker Alice Verburg daughter of the larger-than-life Niels Verburg we wandered over to a corner table where Peter-Allen Finlayson of Gabriëlskloof walked us through their trio of ranges Not actually that once ubiquitous wine from all those decades ago Lieberstein was celebrated in the jingle that everyone of my vintage will remember: Get together with Lieberstein an ode to Lieberstein from Van Niekerk Vintners That wine was an institution, as was another wildly popular wine of that era, Virginia, marketed as “the wine for men who enjoy being men”. Moving on swiftly. That brand sold like Coca-Cola, so who cares if the messaging wouldn’t quite work in our current society. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Fixing some errata in the original version of this story with apologies: Hosting this wine stall were Albert van Niekerk and his wife Anmar van Niekerk while Albert is the winemaker for Crystallum whose wines are made in the Gabriëlskloof cellar their personal brand that is not part of the Gabriëlskloof range Among the wines in this experimental category is Sonwater, which is loosely based on Lieberstein, in that it is 90% Chenin blanc and 10% Clairette blanche, although this iteration is dry, unlike Lieberstein.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Consider the growth of the South African wine industry since those days when South African wines were barely known in the wider world from grape crushing by foot and natural fermentation to innovative fermentation techniques and precision viticulture I don’t remember hearing words like terroir and biodynamic in 1975 If the name is a tad puzzling at first – you may imagine that you’ll be grabbing a bottle of wine and a glass and trekking into the mountains to drink it – you need to picture the town’s main street and many of us chose to drive out to the Yellow House last Saturday rather than walk; it is a factor that the time it takes to walk to the further wine stalls eats away at the time you’d like to spend on the reason you’re there: to taste wine and talk about wine And what a big plus that the winemakers were at their tables in person despite this: it’s clearly the work of a marketing guru and that the name is right showed in the hordes who snapped up the limited number of tickets But where there is wine there has to be food so for us his restaurant was the focal point He had arranged accommodation for us right across the road I say “creamy” because everything is painted cream from the floors and ceilings to the very clothes she wears Colleen Penfold outside Prince Albert Country Stay her guest house and antiques and vintage store in Prince Albert Colleen was a generous host, having taken on the full management of the operation since her husband’s passing only months ago. She’s taken the baton with aplomb.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The creaminess of Prince Albert Country Stay is a beautiful visual theme and the perfect backdrop for the eye-popping antiques Colleen collects and there was so much to covet that it was safer for me to exit the shop and head across the road to Jeremy’s lest my bank manager give me a good talking-to Bicycles on the rooftop of Colleen Penfold’s Prince Albert Country Stay Let’s get the low point out of the way: for dinner on Friday night Jeremy had booked us into a restaurant further down lengthy Church Street who had no record of the booking Jeremy had made but then explain to customers what the options are There was vague pointing to “it’s out there” where I found a spit braai buffet of good lamb and cold vegetables on a table in the night air There was no starter of any kind and a pudding for afters; a simple malva would have been fine Hospitality requires more than a plate of food I’d never have friends over for a braai and not give them a nibble of something first and I invariably make a pudding or provide something with ice cream as a dessert It’s simple hospitality – R250 for some spit braai and vegetables with no starter or simple pudding is just not good enough And the price is not the point: whatever you’re charging a single plate of food does not do the job of a restaurant Let me be clear: this was not the lovely Yellow House but a venue that I have decided not to name That same gentleman from Plettenberg Bay asked me it became clear that I needed to give some details where’s the truth of the good that I need to write about too Which brings us to Saturday night’s dinner an even better sign of good things to come once you sit down at your table Jeremy carves me an exquisite taste of his world-class jamon I soon acquired a severe case of Other Plate Envy when our starters arrived. His charcuterie skills (trained by Richard Bosman) are top drawer, and the beef tataki set before The Foodie’s Wife (she allowed me a sample) was just sublime. Not to take away from my excellent, wonderfully creamy roasted tomato and red pepper soup (for which we published his recipe this Tuesday) but let’s say I made a somewhat ungentlemanly note to myself: get my order in first next time Jeremy Freemantle’s beef carpaccio in the Japanese tataki style (left) His creamy roasted red pepper and tomato soup (right) these super fine slivers of beef were silky and delectable dark and deeply flavoured with soy and sake making Jeremy’s interest in Japanese cooking methods and ingredients clear an elegant side dish offering perfect contrast Di’s choice of seafood penne with nduja made by his own hand was well received Beef short rib lacquered with sake and soy and flavoured with fivespice moist clementine cake served with spekboom ice cream from the top of the menu: “Our portion sizes are all the same and not intended as starters or mains We encourage our guests to taste more than one dish but we promise that you will enjoy a generous helping of each.” Prices that night ranged from R120 to R220 (for dishes such as Norwegian salmon I had seen a lunch menu during the day that had lower prices which I had sort of “chosen” and then not found on the evening menu Their excellent breakfast with perfect poached eggs Crossing the road to Colleen’s ode to cream we slept pleasantly and headed for the town’s favourite breakfast spot Isn’t that the cleverest name for a jam ever You come away with things after a weekend like this and there’s much to think about on the drive home through Meiringspoort and at the fireside at Kabbelrus in De Rust a treat we’d promised ourselves on the way home The ease with which strangers fall into conversation over tastes of wine at tables in the sunshine The exquisite slice of his own jamon that Jeremy slices for me near the end of our meal The jars of many Karoo things on the shelves at the Lazy Lizard and the elegant wine glass that was your passport A lip smacking piece Tony!I was unconsciously drooling as I read your delicious foodie and wine descriptors.I have many fond memories of evenings of gorging on Jeremy’s delicious creations back in old Jhb and the subsequent slightly muzzy awakenings the next morning,thanks to Jeremy’s generosity Any reference to the local winemaker who was also part of the vino camino he grows all grapes local – true karoo wine We visited Prince Albert for a day earlier this year The Tataki carpaccio and other meats are screaming eat me We did have lunch at the Lazy Lizard which we thoroughly enjoyed before travelling back to Oudthoorn Remember Grunberger Spritzenlese back in the 70’s ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " See how the royal couple celebrated birthdays their children and each other in this Italianate Isle of Wight haven started to build Osborne on the Isle of Wight in 1846 a “place of one’s own – quiet and retired” its gardens and private beach were used by the family to escape particularly the royal couple’s summer birthdays Today, this royal retreat is managed by English Heritage and it is every bit the romantic escape for thousands of visitors as it was for the queen and her consort Filled with opulent furnishings and surrounded by splendid gardens – and even a private beach – it’s a dreamy summer visit for couples and families alike And the house’s history as a private getaway for the two royals is every bit as charming as the place itself After falling for the Isle of Wight and its mild climate Victoria and Albert bought the Osborne estate in 1845 The existing house was too small for the entourage that comes with being a monarch so they knocked it down and built a new one Albert designed an Italianate-style mansion with private rooms for him and Victoria and even a landing house for the coastguard The royal party at Osborne in 1857 Photograph: Smith Archive/AlamyIf that wasn’t enough designed as a private world for the royal children Here was a place that the young princes and princesses could play at being adults away from the raised eyebrows of judgmental courtiers a fruit and vegetable garden complete with monogrammed wheelbarrows and miniature tools and a museum where they could house and display their natural history specimens Albert designed everything at three-quarter scale Osborne gave Victoria and Albert the opportunity to put their own spin on date night One of their favourite activities was to sit out on the terrace on a summer’s evening and listen to the nightingales but they were also known to enjoy a walk in the colourful ride in the royal park and spend time at their own private beach – there was even a bathing hut for privacy Birthdays were an important feature at Osborne who celebrated theirs on 24 May and 26 August respectively these tables were an art form all of their own with the queen even commissioning artists to paint them in watercolour and birthday tables were initially placed in the “horn room” the presents had become so large and numerous that a spare bedroom was established as “the present room” providing a glimpse into Victoria and Albert’s personal tastes and styles Visit Osborne to find out why Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had such happy times there – you can even rent a holiday cottage there. On an Isle of Wight stay you can also visit Carisbrooke and Yarmouth castles The ninth annual Prince Albert Family Expo was held on May 3 at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre and learn about the different services and organizations operating in Prince Albert “It seeks to create sufficient awareness that we are a community,” said James Ringham a Family Expo committee member and outreach worker for Family Futures Inc There is a community behind the families in the community.” Circus Magic was the theme of this year’s event Ringham said it was a fantastic opportunity for families to community organizations to make connections “We’ve definitely been seeing an influx of new families coming into Prince Albert and events like this just really helps everybody to get an idea of what Prince Albert really has to offer with regards to family support family community and living in a healthy community as well,” said Ringham “Across the board we have been seeing a lot of families struggling when it comes to getting connected for support (and) new families who aren’t really sure how to get acclimatized in Prince Albert.” Ringham said they were happy with the turnout “We have been seeing families of all different age groups (and) all different cultural backgrounds Ringham thanked all the volunteers and organizations that made the event a success and urged everyone to return for the 10th Family Expo next year –with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald Prince Albert's only locally-owned daily newspaper The 11th edition of the COCC Ride charity race was attended by the Princely Couple and over a hundred determined cyclists who raced from Saint-Tropez to Monaco to support charities On Sunday 27 April, the Principality was abuzz with excitement at the now traditional charity cycle race organised by the Champagne & Oyster Cycling Club of Monaco Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene honoured the event with their presence emphasising their commitment to the initiative which supports the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in particular True to his dedication to both sport and charity Prince Albert II showed some princely pedal power joining the peloton at Beaulieu-sur-Mer for the last few kilometres to the triumphant finish in the Principality A symbolic gesture that testifies to the Sovereign’s personal involvement in the causes he supports There was a poignant tribute to Eddie Jordan, a fervent supporter of the event since its inception, who recently passed away the emotion was palpable among the participants and organisers true to the family spirit that characterises this annual event Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene crown Saint Devota Tournament champions embodying the Monegasque spirit to perfection In a diplomatic gesture combining tradition and humanitarian commitment the Princely Couple received Fra’ John T Dunlap at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco sealing half a century of special relations between the Principality and the Sovereign Order of Malta On Tuesday 22 April 2025, the Prince’s Palace welcome His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ John T. Dunlap, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, accompanied by an official delegation. There was a unique atmosphere at the meeting, tinged with reverence after the announcement of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis the previous day his deep sadness at the passing of the Holy Father dialogue and peace” whose influence left its mark on the Church and the international community After military honours in the Cour d’Honneur and a private audience a solemn ceremony took place inside the Palace The Sovereign Prince elevated the Grand Master to the dignity of Grand Cross in the Order of Saint Charles Prince Albert II received the Cross of Professed Knight of the Order of Malta while Princess Charlene was awarded the insignia of Dame of Honour and of Devotion The official visit was also an opportunity to cement a significant humanitarian commitment A cooperation agreement was signed between the Prince’s Government the Saint Camille Hospital in Ouagadougou and the Burkinabe Red Cross The aim of the collaboration is to help empower sickle cell patients in Burkina Faso to walk unaided illustrating shared values of community and assistance with regard to the most vulnerable Prince Albert II is celebrating his 67th birthday today We take a look back at the Sovereign’s passion for sport While Prince Albert II is known for his interest and involvement in a number of sporting disciplines it is in the bobsleigh that he shone the brightest He represented Monaco at five Winter Olympic Games from Calgary in 1988 through to Salt Lake City in 2002 as he has also been a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1985 Prince Albert II took part in the bobsleigh event at five Olympic Winter Games: Calgary 1988 Long before becoming Head of State, Prince Albert II distinguished himself in a number of disciplines: athletics, judo, squash, swimming.. Always keen to take on new challenges, he also took part in a rowing race in Monaco harbour in 2007 proving he also had a taste for water sports The “Fête du Sport” on 22 June 2024 celebrated ASM’s centenary a historic day attended by Prince Albert II © Communication department / Manuel Vitali 56 years after its first appearance in Monaco in 1968 the Olympic Flame will once again be carried by Prince Albert II before the Atlanta Olympic Games © Prince’s Palace As a symbol of their attachment to Olympic values, Prince Albert II and his wife, Princess Charlene, herself a former Olympic swimmer, enthusiastically welcomed the torch of the Paris 2024 Games to the Principality Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the dinner organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the Louvre Pyramid on the eve of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony Of course, we can’t talk about sport in Monaco without mentioning Formula 1. The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious events in the motor racing calendar and Prince Albert II is an enthusiastic spectator every year the Sovereign could not contain his emotion when Charles Leclerc won the legendary race on home soil for the first time The Prince had to wipe away a few tears as he presented the trophy to the Monegasque driver. Prince Albert II moved to tears by Charles Leclerc’s victory at the Monaco Grand Prix 2024 © Monaco Info – Communication department / Manuel Vitali / Frédéric Nebinger As well as the competition aspect, Prince Albert II is also interested in technological innovations in the world of sport. He recently took the wheel of the Pioneer 25, a hydrogen-powered racing prototype at the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance’s annual forum Stade Louis II celebrates 40th anniversary with Prince Albert II in attendance the Principality has cemented its place in international sport After receiving the Magna Grecia award on Thursday 26 September Prince Albert II continued his stay in Rome His second day began with the inauguration of new administrative premises at the Monaco Embassy in Italy This was followed by a meeting with members of the Italy/Monaco bilateral friendship section of the Italian Parliament Prince Albert II receives Magna Grecia Award in Rome Prince Albert II then made his way to Saint-Louis-des-Français church to attend the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of Prince Louis I whose funeral was held there in 1701 while he was the King of France’s Ambassador to the Holy See Friday afternoon was spent celebrating the 15th anniversary of the creation of the Prince Albert II Foundation’s Italian branch The Sovereign was able to sign a memorandum of understanding sealing a new partnership between the Foundation and the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei the oldest scientific academy in the world A conference was organised by the Italian branch of the Foundation entitled “Building tomorrow: the value of ethics and pragmatism in environmental sustainability” It highlighted the importance of an ethical approach to sustainability while exploring pragmatic solutions for a sustainable future on a global scale a gala evening was held at Palazzo Colonna with a dinner in aid of the Prince Albert Foundation ceremonies and cultural discoveries were the order of the day as the Monegasque Sovereign strengthened the age-old ties between the Principality and Normandy The second day of the Prince’s visit began on Thursday 10 April in Percy-en-Normandie where Prince Albert II was welcomed at the town hall by Mayor Charly Varin in the presence of the Prefect of the region and the President of the Departmental Council One of the highlights of the morning was the blessing of a recently restored 16th-century bell in Saint-Jean-Baptiste church whose patron was Prince Honoré III of Monaco in 1751 bears witness to the ancestral links between the Grimaldi dynasty and the region having originally belonged to the chapel of Mesnil-Céron before being moved to Percy during the French Revolution Monaco’s Princely Family reconnects with historic roots in Brittany and Normandy In the afternoon the Prince headed to Torigny-les-Villes where he was welcomed at the Château des Matignon – now the town hall – by the mayor the Château was the venue for a conference marking the publication of a book about Jacques III de Matignon commemorating the 300th anniversary of his death The Prince then went to Saint-Laurent church for a moment of contemplation embodying an unbroken link between past and present His visit continued at the chapel of the former Hôtel-Dieu where he was able to appreciate the restoration work carried out thanks to his personal support Journey’s end was at Saint-Martin-des-Besaces in Calvados where Prince Honoré V of Monaco lived from 1823 to 1841 leaving a lasting legacy through his innovative system of agriculture and social assistance which covered some forty towns and villages His historic contribution is now commemorated by a street that bears his name the Sovereign visited the Musée de la Percée du Bocage a museum devoted to the D-Day Landings of 1944 providing a broader dimension of remembrance to his journey from dynastic history to key events that shaped the Europe of today During moving commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Leipzig Prince Albert II took part in a series of symbolic events that build bridges between historic events and contemporary peace initiatives the Sovereign Prince travelled to Leipzig to take part in the ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation by American troops Prince Albert II attended a moving ceremony in front of the Capa Haus named in honour of legendary war photographer Robert Capa marks the spot where American soldier Raymond J fell just two weeks before the end of the conflict in Europe The ceremony began with a poignant rendition of “La guerre est finie” by artists David Timm and Reiko Brockelt the laying of a wreath and a minute’s silence then a reading of the “Robert Capa Manifesto” The ceremony featured a series of moving speeches followed by a presentation of the “Citizens’ Movement” by Dr Braumann and the screening of the film “Hitler’s Last Victims – Leipzig and the End of the War” A guest of honour particularly touched those present: Richard Read a journalist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and grandson of Major Richard Eaton who took part in the battles for Leipzig and was at the Abtnaundorf camp shortly after the massacre travelled specially from the United States to attend the commemorations presented the “FPCD 20th Anniversary Prize” to the Capa Haus initiative The delegation then visited the permanent “War is Over” exhibition In a video published by the Prince’s Palace Prince Albert II and his family conveyed their best wishes for the New Year Accompanied by Princess Charlene and this year also by their children Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella the Sovereign delivered a message of gratitude Prince Albert II began by stressing the importance of the special opportunity to address Monegasques and residents: “As the year 2024 draws to a close this is a special moment for me to address you with all the respect and affection I have for each and every one of you.” Looking back on the highlights of the past year he praised the commitment and resilience of the Monegasque community: “The past year has been marked by challenges but also by numerous successes and an unwavering solidarity that characterises our Monegasque community your resilience and your spirit of brotherhood.” The Prince and Princess Twins Jacques and Gabriella are celebrating their 10th birthday after a very busy year!   A little later in his address, the Sovereign had a special thought for those who are going through difficult times: “In this special moment, my thoughts are also with those for whom this year is more difficult, with those who are suffering. To them, I want to send a message of hope and encouragement. Know that you are not alone, and that Monaco is a united family.” He also restated his commitment to a united and supportive Principality:  “The coming year will bring new projects, opportunities to strengthen our environmental commitments, to increase our solidarity towards the most vulnerable, and celebrate our shared identity. Together, with determination and grounded in the values that unite us, we will continue to meet the challenges ahead.” The speech ended in unison and in three languages: French, English and Monegasque: “Bonne année. Happy New Year. Bon Anu Noevu.” A post shared by Palais Princier de Monaco (@palaisprincierdemonaco) Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco put on a friendly display as they enjoyed a family holiday in Corsica this week. The royal couple jetted off with Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, both nine, for a relaxing break this week. They were seen splashing around in the sea together as they played with their children in the warm waves, enjoying the last of the summer sun. How Prince William of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin and ‘the other Prince William’, became a tragic figure of royal historyBy Natasha Leake and Stephanie Bridger-LinningRead MorePrince Albert could be seen tossing a ball to Princess Gabriella who opted for a baby pink t-shirt for the occasion Princess Charlene could be seen beaming from the deck of the yacht and snapping photographs of the trio playing together Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco during a reception for foreign leaders prior to the Olympics Opening Ceremony at Elysee Palace He's Time's Person of the Year and the next President of the United States. She is a former small-time Slovenian fashion model who rose to wear the mantle of First Lady. On the eve of the US presidential election back in 2020, friends, DC insiders and Melania herself gave Ben Judah the inside track… In fact, they have made a number of high profile public appearances together in recent months, including attending the Olympics and Monaco E-Prix side-by-side. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco attending the Monaco E-Prix alongside their children earlier this summer The family are likely enjoying their quality time together before the new school year starts for Jacques and Gabriella in the next few weeks. Speaking last year, Charlene revealed how her children have been enjoying school. In this feature, first published in 2015, David Jenkins questioned if peace had finally come to Jamie Blandford…and what sort of man he is She said, 'Jacques and Gabriella were both very excited to see their friends again after such a long vacation. It's also the first time that they won't be in the same class. 'It's a big step for them, and that seems good to me. So, like for any student on their first day back at school, they had a lot of expectations about their new classmates, their teachers, about what they were going to wear for their first day.' The Ineos Club House in Courchevel hosted the third charity gala in aid of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Courchevel Sports Club on Thursday as well as over 200 personalities from the worlds of sport gathered to support youngsters and sporting values graced the third edition of the charity dinner in aid of her Foundation and the children of the Courchevel Sports Club The prestigious event is part of the dynamic of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the build-up to the 2030 Winter Olympics It served as a reminder of the importance of educating children through sport with a particular focus on drowning prevention and the development of young athletes Princess Charlene radiant at second charity gala in Courchevel All the funds raised will be channelled to educational and sporting initiatives in particular drowning prevention and support for young athletes Sir Jim Ratcliffe: alchemist and adventurer The evening continued with a raffle that was full of surprises Every ticket sold raised more money for causes supported by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Courchevel Sports Club The second fundraiser further emphasised the charitable dimension of the event pooling the guests’ generosity toward a common goal: to provide children from the Principality and the Savoyard resort with a better future The rugby players’ union organised an exceptional evening in aid of athletes in difficulty the Four Seasons Hôtel George V in Paris was decked out in all its finery to host the first charity gala organised by Provale France’s national union of male and female rugby players The profile of the major event was raised by the presence of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene demonstrating Monaco’s ongoing commitment to sporting values Princess Charlene, in her capacity as President of the Monegasque Rugby Federation granted her High Patronage to the initiative underlining her deep attachment to the fundamental values of the sport: respect Values which are perfectly aligned with the work carried out by her Fondation which actively promotes education through sport and social inclusion Sovereign with passion for sport Prince Albert II turns 67! Provale actively defends the rights of sportsmen and women or retraining after their sports career is over whose importance is often underestimated by the general public The highlight of the evening was an auction with everyone present enthusiastically taking part Over twenty prestigious prizes were up for grabs: shirts worn and autographed by famous players collectors’ edition rugby balls and unique works of art were all snapped up by generous donors a member of the French national team and a native of Pretoria in South Africa All the funds raised will go towards Provale’s actions to help former players cope with difficult situations Because away from the bright lights of the stadiums darker realities can await: chronic injuries difficulties getting into the work market or psychological problems after an intense sporting career Princess Charlene’s attendance of the event underlined her belief that sport is a powerful vehicle for integration and resilience reflects the Princely couple’s will to support athletes throughout their careers but also beyond A pedestrian has died after being hit by a vehicle early Sunday morning. The Prince Albert Police Service were called to the intersection of 15th Avenue East and Muzzy Drive at 1:50 a.m. on Sunday, May 4 following reports of a collision. Officer arrived to find an unresponsive 23-year-old woman. Parkland Ambulance transported the woman to Victoria Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her family has been notified. As Saskatchewan RCMP Collision Reconstructionist has been on the scene assisting with the investigation. Police say the vehicle was travelling north on 15th Avenue and exiting the intersection at Muzzy Drive when the collision occurred. The collision is still under investigation. Access our archives, 1910 to today's date, with your digital subscription. Only $9 a month. Prince Albert's only locally-owned daily newspaper. Princess Charlene of Monaco stepped out solo just a day after "snubbing" an event with husband Prince Albert. According to a report by the GB News, Prince Albert of Monaco stepped out with his daughter Jazmin Grimaldi after Princess Charlene appeared to "snub" the glitzy event. Prince Albert attended the Princess Grace Awards 40th Anniversary Gala with daughter at the Pierre Hotel in New York last week. Prince Albert shares daughter Jazmin Grimaldi, 32 with Tamara Rotolo, a waitress he met in Monaco in the early 1990s, the report further claimed. The report also claimed Princess Charlene did not join her husband for the event, despite regularly attending in the past. However, Princess Charlene stepped out just 24 hours after Prince Albert travelled to New York for the Princess Grace Awards. She attended the opening of the "European Swim Meeting", named after the Princess of Monaco. The royal family shared photos of the Princess saying, “On Saturday, October 26, Her Majesty Princess Charlene, Honorary President of Special Olympics Monaco since 2012, attended the opening ceremony of the "European Swimming Meeting" named after her.” It further said, “Following the parade of swimmers and delegations representing 28 countries around the basin, the Princess declared the "Special Olympics swim meet open". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Palais Princier de Monaco (@palaisprincierdemonaco) the couple gave a glimpse into the earliest days of their love story — including how Albert got his future wife “into a bit of trouble” Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images Prince Albert II sent a compassionate message of solidarity to French President Emmanuel Macron following the terrible destruction caused by cyclone Chido in Mayotte on Saturday 14 December As the Mayotte archipelago slowly recovers from the terrible damage caused by cyclone Chido messages of support are pouring in from all quarters Among them was an official dispatch from the Monegasque Sovereign addressed directly to French President Emmanuel Macron wrote: “It was with profound sadness that I learned of the terrible destruction caused by the passage of cyclone Chido through Mayotte.” The message written on behalf of his family and the people of Monaco expresses the solidarity of the Principality with the victims The Sovereign continued: “Our thoughts are also with the injured with all those who lost their homes in this disaster and we salute the valour of the rescue workers.” With the French archipelago cut off and reeling from the impact of the cyclone the moral support of international figures such as Prince Albert II is a gesture of hope of our wholehearted solidarity and unfailing support at this very difficult time “ one of the most violent to hit the archipelago for almost a century who had been confined to their homes as far as possible during the storm discovered the extent of the destruction at daybreak roads are now impassable and many communication lines are cut off making it even more difficult to deliver aid Winds of over 220 km/h disfigured the landscape and left a trail of destruction Although information is piecemeal due to communication outages and access difficulties estimates already suggest “several hundred deaths perhaps several thousand,” as feared by the outgoing Interior and Overseas Territories Ministers Bruno Retailleau and François-Noël Buffet Prince Albert II expresses support for King of Spain after deadly floods Princess Charlene of Monaco was radiant as she attended the annual picnic alongside Prince Albert and their two young children. The former Olympian wore an eye-catching red jumpsuit for the outing, where she joined Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, both nine, at the Parc Princess Antoinette in Monaco. Revisit Tatler’s September 2024 issue, where the hottest chef on the planet spoke to Harriet Kean about working for a billionaire, that scandal and butter (of course) Tucking her slicked-back bob behind her ears, the royal looked elegant with a simple silver drop earring. The mother-of-two opted for a natural makeup look, with a touch of smokey eye and a pop of red lipstick. Prince Albert and the couple's young son Prince Jacques were dressed in coordinating outfits for the occasion, with both wearing smart navy blazers with cream trousers. Meanwhile Princess Gabriella donned a simple white dress, perfectly matching a posey of flowers she held during the engagement. The twins have attended the picnic each year since they were just eight months old. The family came together for the annual picnic on September 7 He’s the grandson of Grace Kelly, the eldest son of Prince Albert II of Monaco, and for 20 years he has kept his life private. In Tatler’s December 2023 issue, Alexandre Grimaldi told Eilidh Hargreaves how he really feels about finally going public Prince Albert previously spoke of the importance of the picnic, which takes place each year, telling People, 'It's a fun event, a really nice moment of the year. It's just a great, very informal, setting. The mass, which opens it up is a little formal, but then it goes right into a picnic and there's a little cocktail party atmosphere. 'It's just wonderful to be able to walk around and have “tell me about your summer” type conversations with people you know.' It's just the latest sign that all is well between Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco who, for a number of years, have been plagued by rumours about the state of their marriage. Former Olympic swimmer Charlene previously spent 10 months in South Africa as she recovered from complications caused by a sinus infection. However this year, the royal mother-of-two has been pictured at a number of events with Albert, as well as joining him for a recent family holiday in Corsica. Japan and the Dominican Republic will open the tournament on Tuesday Game 3 will feature a showdown between 2022 bronze medallists USA and defending champions Australia while arch-rivals New Zealand and Canada will close out the opening day at 20:30 The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 19:30 A total of 57 games were played last year in the Group Stage to determine the eight teams that will compete in the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals 2025 The teams have been split into two groups for the opening phase of the tournament: The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Round featuring the top two teams from the Super Round standings The WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals 2025 are expected to be one of the most competitive editions in tournament history Seven of the eight teams competing in Prince Albert have previously won a medal in the event - only the Dominican Republic has yet to reach the podium these nations account for 48 of the 51 medals awarded in past editions fans in Prince Albert will have the chance to see all five World Champions in action: New Zealand (7 titles) With a 59-year history, the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup remains the most prestigious tournament in men's softball. The inaugural edition was held in 1966 in Mexico City, where 11 national teams competed for the first-ever world championship. Since then, 44 different nations have participated in this premier event Sitemap Media Data Protection Contacts Avenue Général-Guisan, 45 CH-1009 Pully | Switzerland The WBSC is recognised as the sole competent authority in Baseball and Softball by the International Olympic Committee as Prince Albert II presided over a commemorative ceremony at Monaco’s cemetery paying a stirring tribute to the extraordinary Josephine Baker French and Monegasque anthems were played with dignity by the Prince’s Carabinieri Orchestra on Saturday 12 April the Sovereign Prince laid a wreath of flowers on the grave of the exceptional artist courageous resistance fighter and tireless campaigner for civil rights Soprano Nathalie Nicaud brought the artist’s repertoire back to life performing several of her iconic songs in remembrance and celebration “She was, and will remain, a Monegasque at heart,” Prince Albert II solemnly declared at a ceremony honouring her induction into the Panthéon in 2021 Those words rang with a particular truth on the anniversary as a reminder of the refuge the artist found in the Principality It was also thanks to Princess Grace that Joséphine Baker was able to return to the stage at the Monegasque Red Cross Gala in 1974 in particular before her final performances at the Bobino in Paris A few days after the Parisian opening night Josephine Baker died after suffering a brain haemorrhage on 12 April 1975 Monaco Cemetery: 150 years of history Today, Monaco continues to honour the memory of an exceptional woman. After entering the Panthéon in 2021, Josephine Baker is also immortalised on French 20-cent euro coins that have gradually been put into circulation since summer 2024 Prince Albert II will be making an official visit to the Ardennes on 24 and 25 April to coincide with an exceptional exhibition strengthening the centuries-old ties between the Principality and the French region “I began my ‘tour de France’ of places with historical links to my Family and the Principality nearly fifteen years ago, in 2011 in Saint-Lô, Normandy,” Prince Albert II recalls in an interview with the Ardennes Département the paths of memory and the ‘community of destiny’ that links France and Monaco have taken me from Brittany to Alsace Auvergne by way of Poitou and Catalonia.” The ties between Monaco and the Ardennes date back to the end of the 18th century  “It’s all about a marriage,”  explains Prince Albert II heiress to the titles and lands of Cardinal Mazarin the King’s chief minister from 1643 to 1661 which he had acquired from the Duke of Mantua in 1659 became the Duchy of Mazarin for the cardinal’s niece and nephew this piece of Ardenne came to the Grimaldis at the end of the 18th century.” The official visit will include the exhibition at the Musée de l’Ardenne and visits to historic sites with links to the Grimaldi family Prince Albert II explains his approach: “My intention is obviously not to bring back an old political regime that is totally outdated for France but to use history as ‘fertile soil’ to enable my country and myself to ‘grow’ special relations with a number of French communities.” This visit could pave the way for further cultural cooperation “I always take a sympathetic view of the projects I receive from these territories,” says the Sovereign Prince and we need to ensure our involvement is justified but it’s always a pleasure to give a helping hand so that heritage improvement projects can come to fruition.” Prince Albert II is no stranger to the French region:  “The Ardennes are close to the Aisne My ancestor Prince Charles III and his wife Antoinette de Mérode So I’m no stranger to northern and eastern France and I like to recharge my batteries there.” presents unique documents and works of art most of which have never been shown to the public in particular from Monaco’s Palace Archives and the Bibliothèque nationale de France Monaco’s Société Protectrice des Animaux (SPA – animal protection society) inaugurated its new shelter in Peille an ambitious project designed to provide a peaceful environment for abandoned and mistreated animals It was a red-letter day for Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene and a symbol of the Principality’s commitment to animal protection An azure blue sky and a breathtaking view of the mountains were the backdrop for the official inauguration of the new Monaco SPA shelter in Peille Monegasque dignitaries including Didier Guillaume Deputy Prefect of Nice-Montagne and Cyril Piazza Also present were members of the SPA’s Board of Directors as well as other guests such as AS Monaco President Dmitry Rybolovlev and Jacques Legros It represented a big step forward for animal welfare Two years after the foundation stone was laid by the Sovereign Prince and Princess Charlene, this ultra-modern refuge, built on a 3,750 m² plot of land, is now a reality. Built to respect the environment, at an altitude of 700 metres, it is a sanctuary for animals in distress, with a capacity for up to 40 dogs and 50 cats. The former Monaco SPA shelter, located in Eze, no longer met modern requirements. Surrounded by private homes under construction, it had become run down and was no longer suited to the animals’ welfare. After years of searching, Peille was chosen to house the new facility. Working with experts, architect Mickle Bourel designed a terraced building that blends perfectly into the exceptional natural landscape. Every detail was thought through to provide animals with a safe environment that is suited to their specific needs. The shelter is split into two kennels to house 40 dogs, and has areas specifically designed for puppies, animals in quarantine and cats, with a capacity of 50 felines, including 7 in quarantine. In addition, a room for new pets and birds has been set up to meet ad hoc requirements. The shelter team consists of six qualified employees, who look after the animals’ welfare every day. Under the supervision of an Animal Unit Manager, four animal care staff and one multi-skilled staff member are responsible for the upkeep of the premises and admin. They are trained to deal with animals, including aggressive dogs, and spend their days treating, rehabilitating and preparing animals for adoption. The inauguration in Peille marks the start of a new era for the Monaco SPA, which will continue to work tirelessly to provide a better life to animals in distress. Now for some pictures of the event. Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Monaco Tribune (@monacotribune) Help Monaco SPA find homes for these animals A compelling new exhibition by Monegasque artist Michel Aubéry, about the fragile beauty of coral reefs, was launched on Monday evening at the Club des Résidents Étrangers de Monaco (CREM – Monaco Foreign Residents Club),  with Prince Albert II in attendance. The CREM took on the guise of an art gallery to showcase Michel Aubéry’s colourful works. The club’s new Gold Members plaque was also unveiled at the event, underlining the importance of partnerships with CMB Monaco, BMW Store Monaco & MINI Store Monaco, as well as Pernod Ricard. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Monaco Tribune (@monacotribune) Michel Aubéry began his artistic journey at a very early age Then Jean Cocteau and the painter Nakache noticed me Princess Grace became my patron when I was fifteen,”  says the artist that his career was relaunched after a 45-year break from art: “I still had one of my paintings hanging on the wall the painter Philippe Pastor came to dinner and didn’t believe me when I told him it was me… He asked me to do thirty paintings The new exhibition at CREM showcases the artist’s fascination with marine life At the request of the Oceanographic Museum where his work has been exhibited on several occasions Aubéry uses his expressive style to highlight the splendour and vulnerability of these marine ecosystems Polar Encounters: Michel Aubéry exhibition at Oceanographic Museum Prince Albert II, Honorary President since CREM was founded in 2010, took time out to admire the works on display, accompanied by CREM President Louisette Azzoaglio Lévy-Soussan His presence demonstrates his continued commitment to cultural and environmental initiatives in the Principality Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Culturel (Knight of the Cultural Merit Order) since 2018 feels the Princely accolade recognises a career path that combines a dual passion for art and sport – a rare ‘combo’ that makes him a unique figure on Monaco’s cultural scene giving them another opportunity to discover the talent of a Monegasque artist whose colourful creations celebrate the beauty of our marine world Interview with Alexandre Boin, new director of the Club des Résidents Etrangers de Monaco the Principality celebrated the opening of the Charles III secondary school a modern and ambitious establishment that symbolises the Prince’s commitment to education In the presence of the Sovereign Prince and Princess Charlene the event was hailed by Minister of State Didier Guillaume as a rare and symbolic moment for Monaco The inauguration of the new Collège Charles III marks a significant milestone for the Principality illustrates the Prince’s Government’s determination to place education at the very centre of its priorities “Inaugurating a new school is not an everyday event,”  said the Minister of State in his speech The college represents the culmination of five years’ design work and eight years’ construction work and meets high technical and environmental standards Designed to accommodate between 1,200 and 1,500 students Charles III elementary school stands out for its innovative teaching approach involving new technologies and flexible classroom layouts Far from focusing solely on the teaching of academic subjects the project is part of a global approach to education aimed at shaping individuals who are capable of critical thought and objectivity “Everything is in place to ensure that this multi-purpose structure will be able to host and develop a wide range of cultural and sporting projects Versatility and serenity are the undeniable hallmarks of this learning and recreational environment Because a secondary school is obviously a place of learning but also a living space,” the Minister of State continued Sitting on an atypical 250-metre-long plot the Charles III secondary school called for a particularly ingenious design testifies to the technical scale of the project Monegasque architects Christian Curau and François Lallemand rose to the challenge of creating an optimised space in a dense urban setting The new school stands out for its planted pedestrian areas as part of a sustainable approach to providing a quality environment for pupils and staff The 67 m² climbing wall and wide range of sports facilities are in keeping with the Principality’s sporting tradition while the media library and art and music rooms encourage creativity and expression “In an age when we are increasingly glued to our mobile phone screens we can legitimately be concerned about this ‘mass addiction’ Digital technology represents progress of course but sport and artistic and cultural disciplines are just as important students have absolutely everything they need to get away from their screens and find fulfilment in many other ways It is said that education is about harnessing curiosity Photo credits: Eric Mathon / Prince’s Palace / Prince’s Government  900 Monegasques join Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene for U Cavagnëtu picnic This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Paid partnership with Team Toyota Specialized The Toyota Specialized Race team competed at the Prince George 100 Miler in cool Prince Albert, with the 2024 edition omitting the Montague Pass due to winter rain damage. Instead, the race concluded at the picturesque Louvain wine farm. Meanwhile, Cherise engaged in a competitive battle with Robyn de Groot and Sarah Hill on the climb, with Robyn ultimately taking the Queen of the Mountains title. She would pay for these efforts later in the race, finishing in second place behind Sarah Hill. After the first water point, riders navigated the longest stretch of tarmac in the race before turning onto some of the region’s finest gravel roads through Lategansvlei. Alex and Travis continued to push ahead over the technical gravel, with Johan trailing in third alongside Arnu Du Toit from Insect Science.  “Ok so at this point of the race fatigue can be a real problem, but the Specialized STR rides like a Hilux drives. Effortless comfort.” –  Alex Miller As the race progressed beyond 90 kilometers, the gradual ascent toward Louvain took its toll. Alex and Travis collaborated effectively, thwarting any attempts at a chase from behind. The shifting landscapes from mountains to the arid Karoo were accompanied by a slight headwind/sidewind as they approached the finish line.  Utilizing a technical section, Alex distanced himself from Travis and finished solo, claiming victory. This win boosts his confidence ahead of the Namibian National Gravel Championships next weekend. Looking ahead, the team’s next focus is the FNB Wines2Whales race in the Western Cape. Matt Beers will return from the Lifetime Gravel Series in America and team announcements for the upcoming race will be made soon. Big thank you to our sponsors: Toyota, Specialized, Van H, Ikhambi, Cadence Nutrition, Oakley Bike, Squirt Lube WATCH NOW: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene are the heads of the House of Grimaldi Prince Albert of Monaco stepped out with his daughter Jazmin Grimaldi after Princess Charlene appeared to "snub" the glitzy event The royal looked handsome in a black and white suit as he arrived at the Princess Grace Awards 40th Anniversary Gala held at the Pierre Hotel in New York on Wednesday a waitress he met in Monaco in the early 1990s The pair looked glamorous on the carpet at the Princess Grace Awards an annual event which attracts a host of stars including Hollywood legend Michael Douglas Prince Albert of Monaco steps out with daughter Jazmin Grimaldi after Princess Charlene snub The Monégasque royal beamed as he stood alongside his glamorous daughter who was his date for the evening while Princess Charlene was absent Princess Charlene of Monaco did not join her husband of 13 years for the event wearing a Terrence Bray Dress which featured a beautiful floral design Charlene wore a unique necklace at the time designed by Lorenz Baumer for Maison Mazerea Prince Albert of Monaco and Jazmin Grimaldi attended the Princess Grace Awards in New York The rare pink diamond was called the Grace Diamond and it is owned by the brand Maison Mazerea The brand also supports the Princess Grace Foundation did not attend Wednesday's awards show GB News has contacted the royal's representatives for comment Prince Albert of Monaco attended the event without his wife Princess Charlene photographed at the Princess Grace Awards in 2018 Charlene first attended the Princess Grace Awards in 2007 as Albert's then-girlfriend who shot to fame in Hollywood as a 1950s actress under her maiden name Wednesday's event celebrated 40 years of the Princess Grace Awards dedicated to supporting extraordinary emerging artists in theatre Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline inaugurated the Princess Grace Irish Library (PGIL) as a tribute to their mother along with their father Prince Rainier III on 20 November 1984 40 years later to the day they attended a private concert there Students from the Académie Rainier III performed at the concert as well as renowned traditional flute player Dr Fintan Vallely They sang and played songs from the music collection that Princess Grace curated The young students rehearsed the songs throughout the 2023/2024 school year in the commemorative book to mark the library’s 40th anniversary Murphy presented both Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline with a copy of the beautiful book which contains many photos of their mother and her family visiting Ireland Princess Grace Irish Library: “What’s the story?” Guests at the lunch were treated to a short film by the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco about Princess Grace and her Irish connection and Irish music played on the traditional flute by Dr Fintan Vallely The Princely Family’s social media accounts were decked out in red and white on Sunday 25 August for a very special occasion: the 100th anniversary of AS Monaco the Principality’s prestigious football club with her asymmetrical zebra-patterned top elegantly showing off her shoulders The Prince and Princess have once again demonstrated their unwavering support for sport and Monaco’s sporting heritage reinforcing the unique bond between the Grimaldi family and AS Monaco which continues to shine on the international stage one hundred years after its foundation AS Monaco unveils new centenary shirt AS Monaco officially blew out its hundredth candle marking a century of history that began in 1924 Born out of the merger of several Monegasque sports organisations the region’s leading football club at the time AS Monaco has established itself as one of the most prestigious clubs in France AS Monaco has planned a host of surprises for their supporters throughout the season which is already shaping up to be an exciting one with the long-awaited return to the Champions League Many surprises in store for AS Monaco’s Centenary season As Honorary President of the Vendée Globe Foundation, Prince Albert II is preparing to usher in a new era of marine preservation while navigating the challenges of a State with complex issues. The Monegasque Sovereign gave an interview for the daily Ouest-France entitled: Albert II: “Monaco is a village with its advantages and disadvantages” in the “Le grand entretien du dimanche” (big Sunday interview) section Prince Albert II will be taking part in the inauguration of the Vendée Globe Foundation which is committed to preserving the ocean a legendary race of the highest order,”  but also “a tremendous celebration of the sea” that brings together those who love the oceans Monaco has been represented in the competition by Boris Herrmann flying the flag for the Principality and the Prince Albert II Foundation since 2020 symbolising a strong commitment to protecting the marine environment Prince Albert II announces a research project with National Geographic in the Solomon Islands Monaco will host a forum on the blue economy ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference The Prince is well aware of the environmental challenges: “We must remain optimistic While Monaco sees itself as a key player in the ecological transition the Prince acknowledges the challenges raised by polluting activities such as real estate and yachting: “We can’t change things overnight Let’s be a laboratory for the promotion of renewable energies in the sector.” Nearly 30,000 visitors at 2024 Monaco Yacht Show The Prince also maintains strong ties with a number of parts of France that have historical links to the Principality in particular those that belonged to the Matignon family the Sovereign not only commemorates these places but also wants to see how the Principality can contribute to showcasing their heritage “These are not just places to be preserved and commemorated but also to help the communities and regions to promote their heritage or create joint projects There are regular requests for help with the restoration of churches and monuments but with a personal contribution,”  he explains Monaco attracts criticism over its reputation as a tax haven. The Prince is determined to implement the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in order to get off the tax haven “grey list“ New judicial year: focused on combatting money laundering and being taken off the grey list Against a backdrop of financial tensions and legal battles, Monaco is at the centre of a number of sensitive matters. These include the “Dossiers du Rocher,” with searches carried out last summer at the homes of key figures that are close to the Prince These events have raised questions about property management in the Principality Another area of contention relates to Claude Palmero‘s “Cahiers” belonging to the former administrator of the Palace’s assets highlight controversial aspects to do with management of the Prince’s estate Prince Albert II decides to “set the record straight” about the dispute with his former accountant the Sovereign has undertaken reforms within his government departments: “I took the time to set up new teams at the Palace in the Judicial Services Department and in the Police Department And there are new members in the Government The aim is to provide fresh impetus,” he says Dossiers du Rocher, Moneyval, European Union… Prince Albert II speaks out Prince Albert II aspires to balanced growth for the Principality:  “I hope that we will continue to develop the Principality in a harmonious manner I want measured development that takes into consideration the future of our planet,”  he says aware of the responsibility that goes with it: “It’s part of the responsibility but I’m not looking to be in magazines every five minutes.” Monaco pioneer in urban Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) The museum will tell the epic tale of Imbert de Bathernay Prince Albert II confirmed his interest in historic heritage by providing €50,000 in financial support to the municipality of Bathernay The contribution is to help finance an ambitious project to build a museum about Imbert de Bathernay An advisor to the Kings of France and a distant ancestor of the Grimaldi family he played a decisive role in the affairs of the French court Listed as a Grimaldi Historic Site in May 2023 a small village of around 250 inhabitants in the northern hills of the Drôme Prince Albert II welcomed 12 former Grimaldi family fiefdoms which has been listed as a historic monument since 1921 will serve as a base for a series of exhibitions and historical re-enactments documents and interactive reconstructions from medieval and modern times An open-air theatre with a capacity of around 100 seats is also part of the project The official opening of the museum is scheduled for 2026 New French Riviera town joins Grimaldi heritage network Monaco will hold the title of World Sports Capital throughout 2025 To mark Monaco being named World  Capital of Sport 2025 Prince Albert II signed the commemorative plaque at an official ceremony held on Tuesday 18 February in the Salle des Glaces at the Prince’s Palace and representatives of the Association of European Capitals of Sport (ACES) were also present The official title recognises Monaco’s commitment to sport for all as well as its cutting edge infrastructure and support for international competitions Prince Albert II received the symbolic ACES flag from Berro-Amadeï in her capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation then gave it in turn to Lionel Beffre to mark the official handover of the title Several events are planned over the course of 2025 to honour the title such as the major exhibition to mark the 40th anniversary of the Stade Louis II which will be on display in the streets of Monaco from April Prince William arrives to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis Princess Charlene of Monaco attended Pope Francis's funeral at the Vatican on Saturday joining her husband Prince Albert for the sombre occasion The 46-year-old Monagasque royal arrived at St Peter's Square dressed in a knee-grazing black dress with a round neckline and long sleeves She completed her respectful ensemble with a black lace veil that lightly concealed her blonde hair The former Olympic swimmer's choice of attire reflected the solemnity of the occasion as European royalty gathered to pay their respects to the late head of the Catholic Church Princess Charlene of Monaco attended Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican on Saturday Princess Charlene accessorised her funeral outfit with classic black pumps and carried a small Prada handbag Prince Albert opted for a black two-piece suit and dark sunglasses as he accompanied his wife to the solemn event The Monagasque royals were joined by numerous European royal figures paying their respects The Prince of Wales represented King Charles at the funeral service. King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain were also among the dignitaries in attendance at St The gathering of royalty highlighted the significance of the occasion as they came together to honour the late Pope Francis Princess Charlene's sombre funeral look echoed her elegant appearance when meeting Pope Francis in 2016 Charlene is granted "the privilege of the white" or "il privilegio del bianco" in Italian Prince William represented King Charles at the funeral service This privilege extends to other Catholic royals including Queen Letizia and Queen Sofía of Spain White is traditionally worn by royal women meeting the Pope as it symbolises purity The colour choice represents these countries' allegiance to Catholicism Princess Charlene appropriately chose a black version of the lace veil to pay her respects Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene gave a joint interview to Paris Match They talked about how they met and the importance of sport in their lives Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene have been together for almost 15 years But that wouldn’t be the case if they hadn’t met at a swimming competition in Monaco called the Mare Nostrum “I don’t know if we fell in love back then after that I didn’t see Charlene again for several years,” said Prince Albert II said in the interview published on Thursday And when the journalist asked what he remembers about the meeting the Sovereign was full of praise for his wife I thought that she was an excellent swimmer confiding: “I don’t know if I should say this but that night I got her into a bit of trouble because I didn’t get her ‘home’ in time.” Paris 142nd IOC session: Prince Albert II praises ‘truly remarkable work’ on 2024 Olympic Games that the two lovebirds appeared hand in hand for the very first time An environment they were already familiar with since they both competed in the Olympics as athletes one as a member of the Monegasque bobsleigh team and the other in the South African women’s swimming team “When you’re right in the heart of it for 16 days there’s the competition; you’re there to do better than your rivals But you also share this unique experience with them,”  says Prince Albert II sport is a genuine passion that has been passed down from generation to generation First there was Prince Albert II’s maternal grandfather who was a rowing champion and three-time gold medallist “But this love of sport comes from both sides of my family was on the French bobsleigh team for at least one season in the 1930s.” he explained Prince Albert II supports Olympic values When asked about the role of sport in raising their twins Prince Albert II said that his children “swim and do gymnastics The Sovereign joins a select list of great French names to have been awarded the ‘Grande Médaille d’Or’ While the Nobel Prize recognises individuals who have brought the greatest benefit to humanity the SEP Gold Medal honours exceptional services to the cause of progress Prince Albert II received the Gold Medal of the Société d’Encouragement au Progrès (SEP) at the Cercle de l’Union Interalliée in front of around a hundred invited guests It is the Society’s highest accolade and has been awarded every year since 1908 Prestigious names have received the medal since the Society was founded Hélène Carrère d’Encausse and Thomas Pesquet The Sovereign said he was “very happy and very honoured to receive this distinction,” in his speech just after being decorated “Thank you for allowing me to join the list of recipients who have gone before me,”  he added €25.00Add to cart Prince Albert II also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Foundation for Post-Conflict Development (FPCD), of which he is a patron. The Sovereign met Claudia Abate, whose father, Frank A. Abate, served in the same battalion as Raymond J. Bowman, killed by a German sniper at the age of 21. Dr. Braumann presented the “Citizen Movement,” and guests viewed the powerful film “Hitler’s Last Victims – Leipzig and the End of the War.” Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Richard Read, grandson of Major Richard Eaton, one of the first to arrive at Abtnaundorf following the massacre was also in attendance. Prince Albert II presented the FPCD 20th Anniversary Award to the Capa Haus Initiative, “recognizing their commitment to remembrance and peace-building.” Pauline Ducruet travelled to the UK to present her fashion designs in a pop-up shop in Notting Hill after giving an exclusive interview to Tatler magazine. “It’s Monaco in Mayfair! What happened when Pauline Ducruet landed in London with her luxury label, Alter?” reads the headline. Ducruet gave the interview while hosting an intimate lunch for her label at Isabel in Mayfair. Princess Stephanie’s daughter revealed that she and her sister would always go into her mother’s wardrobe to try on dresses, but because she was also a tomboy, she would also try on suits, jeans and motorcycle jackets. Gender-fluidity is a major feature of her label, which creates clothing for all genders. The label also uses upcycled materials. Prince Albert breaks silence on relationship with Princess Charlene of Monaco Prince Albert has opened up on his relationship with Princess Charlene of Monaco in a new interview has admitted he did not fall in love with Princess Charlene when they first met joined her husband to discuss the early years of their relationship Albert's comments echoed similar ones made by King Charles about his former wife When asked if he was "in love" with the future Princess of Wales Charles famously replied: "Whatever in love means." Prince Albert was asked about his first meeting with Charlene to which he said: “I don’t know if we fell in love back then I didn’t see Charlene again for several years." He continued to tell Paris Match: “First of all I thought that she was an excellent swimmer and that she was friendly Princess Charlene and Prince Albert have had a tumultuous relationship but that night I got her into a bit of trouble because I didn’t get her ‘home’ in time.” I did get into a bit of trouble that night Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have been together for almost 15 years and have two children together twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella They first met at a swimming competition in Monaco called the Mare Nostrum Princess Charlene of Monaco suffered an ear Prince Albert and Princess Charlene at the Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Italy Their public relationship has gone through its ups and downs including when Charlene was forced to explain why she was visibly upset on her wedding day The princess insisted that all brides are emotional on their wedding day Princess Charlene spent the majority of 2021 in South Africa due to suffering from an ear while Prince Albert remained in Monaco with their children Princess Charlene and Prince Albert found their relationship back in the spotlight again after a French magazine inaccurately claimed the couple had started to separate But the royal couple issued a statement dismissing the "malicious rumours".