Princely Family’s Historic Trip to Brittany and Normandy
Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and their children, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques voyaged to Northern and Western France to retrace the history of the Matignon family. In 1715, Jacques IV of Matignon married Princess Louise-Hippolyte Grimaldi, becoming Prince Jacques I of Monaco.
The trip began in Matignon, Brittany, on 9 April. After a stroll through the traditional market, a commemorative plaque was unveiled before an official ceremony at the Rainier III sports hall (co-financed by Prince Rainier III). The family then visited Fort La Latte, in Plévenon, before inaugurating a ‘Grimaldi Historic Site of Monaco’ plaque. On their way from Brittany to Normandy, the Princely family enjoyed a private visit of Fort La Latte in Plévenon, built in 1340 and listed as a Historic Monument.
Prince Albert II then continued the journey to Normandy alone and inaugurated the newly named Grimaldi Media Library. In Saint-Lô, a dinner was prepared at the town’s Maison du Département, where the main hall is now named “Grimaldi-Matignon”. The Prince’s visit coincided with official launch of the Matignon collection from the Prince’s Palace Archives on the Manche Departmental Archives website.
On 10 April Prince Albert II visited Percy-en-Normandie, where Honoré III of Monaco sponsored a bell in 1751. The Sovereign presented four new “Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco” labels to artisans and merchants in the region, before inaugurating a market for certified producers. He then travelled to Torigny-les-Villes and Matignon castle, before concluding the trip in Saint-Martin-des-Besaces in Calvados, where Prince Honoré V lived from 1823 to 1841. Honoré V left a lasting mark with his innovative system of agriculture and social welfare, which extended across some forty communes. This historic contribution is now commemorated by a street bearing his name. There, the Prince visited Saint-Laurent church, where several of his ancestors are buried. He also visited the chapel of the former Hôtel-Dieu, where he viewed the restoration work carried out thanks to his personal support.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene present Red Cross first aid Certificates
The Princely couple attended the Monegasque Red Cross graduation ceremony and presented diplomas to the new graduates in the Kreizberg Hall at the Rainier III Auditorium on 7 April.
Students were honoured after completing their first aid courses. 1,331 new graduates are now able to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a life-threatening incident.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were accompanied on stage by Dr. Mathieu Liberatore, Head of the First Aid Section, to present special prizes to the three best first aid students from Collège Charles III, the François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré Institute and the International School of Monaco. Awards were also presented to the best students from the Police Academy, the Civil Service, Monaco City Hall, as well as to those from the private sector, the voluntary sector and the general public.
Prince Albert II launches ‘Around the World Relay’ by Kids’ Athletics
On the occasion of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Prince Albert II attended the Kids’ Athletics ‘Around the World Relay’ at the Stade Louis II on 6 April. Numerous guests from the world of athletics and international sports organizations were also in attendance.
The enormous global event kicked off with a symbolic first baton handoff from Prince Albert II, launching a one-month-long relay celebration across continents with the participation of half a million kids! Until 7 May, schools, clubs, and communities across the globe are encouraged to organize their own relay events—any size, any style. The challenge will culminate in a celebratory final lap at the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25. If 500,000 children participate, the challenge will go down in history as the world’s largest kids’ relay. The Relay Around the World web app is where organizers can register their relays, track global progress in real time, and upload photos and videos of their events.
Prince Albert II and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy rename Court No. 2 of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
Prince Albert II and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, president of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and daughter of Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, inaugurated the tennis court which is now named in honour of Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, on 5 April. For the occasion, 30 players registered in the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters were present. Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Jack Draper, Holger Rune, and three-time winner Stefanos Tsitsipas were in attendance, as were Daniil Medvedev, Grigor Dimitrov, Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Musetti, Richard Gasquet, and Valentin Vacherot. Former champions Stan Wawrinka and Fabio Fognini were also present. In a symbolic gesture, the players lined up on the court to form the letters E and A in reference to Elizabeth-Ann de Massy’s initials. Following the ceremony, Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy led the Prince on a tour of the new Players Village. The newly named court hosted up to four daily matches from April 5 to 10. Elizabeth-Ann de Massy was passionate and dedicated to tennis, both in Monaco and internationally.
Charlotte Casiraghi attends the Paris Book Festival
Charlotte Casiraghi attended the opening of the 2025 Paris Book Festival at the Grand Palais on 10 April. The most famous literary event in France, the Festival is a place where 1,200 publishers and 4,500 authors have been meeting every year for over 30 years. The festival celebrates books of all types. Morocco was this year’s guest country of honour. Charlotte Casiraghi is known for her deep passion for literature.
