A total of 160 individuals became Monegasque citizens in 2024 through various means—98 by descent, 51 through marriage, and 11 via sovereign ordinance. Of these, 40 were present at the reception, which was organized by the town hall as part of its annual celebration of new citizens.
The ceremony blended formality with warmth, as Mayor Georges Marsan and several key officials gathered to welcome the attendees. It was a warm and solemn occasion, attended by not only the Mayor but also local councillors Marjorie Crovetto, Jacques Pastor, Karyn Ardisson Salopek, André Campana, Georges Gambarini, Nada Lorenzi and Nathalie Vaccarezza, and Guillaume Pastor, representing the president of the Crown Council, Michel Boeri. Mayor Marsan took the opportunity to introduce the new citizens to the role of the municipal institution before presenting them with symbolic gifts. Each participant received a reproduction of the original manuscript of Monaco’s national anthem lyrics, penned in 1931 by poet Louis Notari. Additionally, they were gifted a newly published collection of Monegasque songs, featuring performances by the children’s choir of the Rainier III Academy accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Adding an artistic touch to the occasion, attendees were also presented with a lithograph by the late Hubert Clerissi, whose works are currently on display in a special exhibition.
The event concluded on a poignant note as the children’s choir of the Rainier III Academy performed the Monegasque national anthem, reinforcing the sense of unity and belonging that defines the principality’s close-knit community.
Being Monegasque is obviously special and becoming if anything harder. For example for those marrying-in:
It used to take 10 years of marriage to become Monegasque, but a law requiring 20 years of marriage in order to obtain nationality is now in effect. The law is only applicable to marriages that take place after 1 July 2022, which means that couples married before this date remain subject to the 10 year period.
