A new leader, with an impressive resume, will soon be appointed as the head of the Prince’s Carabinieri. On 16 January 2022, Lieutenant-Colonel Gilles Convertini will be retiring and his deputy, Commander Martial Pied, will be taking his place.
Martial Pied has experience in wide-ranging fields, including security, the fight against terrorism, maintenance and event management. For the past four years, Martial Pied has been Second in Command in the Prince’s Carabinieri Corps. Before that, he spent six years as the Chief of Staff for France’s Department of Defence. From 2002 to 2006, he led a military unit specializing in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Afghanistan during ‘Operation Ares’.
The 20th of January is an important date for the Prince’s Carabinieri, as it is the day they celebrate their Patron Saint, San Sebastian. This year on the 20th of January, at 11:30 am, a special ceremony will take place and Gilles Convertini will officially hand over his position to Martial Pied, in the courtyard of the Prince’s Palace.
New Head of Prince’s Carabinieri
The 49-year-old father of two began a career in the French army in 1994, after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and studying languages in Military School while playing on the school’s Handball team. Martial Pied then rose through the military ranks before training as an engineer officer. During his career, Martial Pied has worked in several foreign countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Chad and, from December 2013 to February 2014, he managed French troops in Cameroon for Operation Sangaris, a military intervention in response to a rebel movement, requested by the President of the Central African Republic.
In 2017, Martial Pied joined the Carabiniers du Prince under Gilles Convertini. This Sunday, he will succeed him as the head of 119 Carabinieri, who have several important roles. The Carabiniers ensure the safety of His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince and the Princely Family, as well as the Prince’s properties, residences and immediate surroundings.
The Carabiniers also ensure the Guard of the Palace, with the ceremonial relief occurring every day at 11:55 am. The Carabinieri Corps was founded on 8 December 1817 by Hereditary Prince Honoré.
