There is now a new Corps Commander of the Carabiniers of Monaco following a ceremony at the Palace.
He has climbed all the ladders. After joining the Prince’s Company of Carabiniers in 1984, after his military service under the French, Commander Gilles Convertini officially assumed his duties as Corps Commander. This is the first time a man who began as a Carabinier has become the Commander. The ceremony took place in the courtyard of the Princely Palace, in the presence of Prince Albert II and his nephew Pierre Casiraghi.
Gilles Convertini has been acting Commander for a year, with the departure of the previous Corps Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Philippe Rebaudengo, who had become aide-de-camp to Prince Albert II. The ceremony took on a special symbolism: it took place on the day of Saint Sebastian, the patron Saint of the Prince’s Company of Carabiniers, before the Mass, celebrated in the Cathedral of Monaco. It has also taken place at the beginning of the bicentenary year of the carabiniers: the corps was created in 1817.
Gilles Convertini must “ensure that this community, the Prince’s Company of Carabiniers, is united”, explained Colonel Luc Fringant, the Superior Commander of the Public Force, himself Commander of the Carabiniers corps between 1992 and 2005.
He will also oversee the training of the carabiniers who carry out missions such as guarding the palace, and “ensure that the carabiniers are always vigilant”. 119 soldiers make up this corps.
Saint Sebastian, Patron Saint of the Carabiniers
Friday, 20th of January, HSH Prince Albert II and his nephew Mr. Pierre Casiraghi attended the celebration of San Sebastian, Patron Saint of the Company of Carabiniers. Earlier in the morning, in the Cour d’Honneur of the Princely Palace, the Superior Commander of the Public Force, Colonel Luc Fringant, carried out the assumption of command Ceremony of the Prince’s Company of Carabiniers by Commander Gilles Convertini. Afterwards, they attended the traditional Mass at the Cathedral of Monaco. The feast of San Sebastian, instituted in 1954 by Prince Rainier III, is celebrated every year within the Society of the Carabiniers of HSH the Sovereign Prince.
Given the history of the corps and of Saint Sebastian, it was certainly a well-chosen date to enshrine Gilles Convertini in his new role as Corps Commander of the Carabiniers in Monaco.
Photo source: srigina.over-blog.com
