Franco-American artist Josephine Baker (1906-1975) became the first Black woman to be inducted in the Pantheon in Paris, an occasion which was commemorated by HSH Prince Albert II in Monaco’s cemetery, where she is buried.
On 29 November, the Sovereign Prince, surrounded by the highest Monegasque authorities and Jeannot Bouillon-Baker, delivered a speech in front of the Monument aux Morts in which he recalled the strong ties that united Josephine Baker to the Principality of Monaco as well as the friendly relationship that existed between the artist and Princess Grace. The moving speech was followed by a minute of silence, before American, French and Monegasque hymns, interpreted by the Carabiniers du Prince Orchestra, resounded through the crowd.
The Prince and all the guests then headed to Josephine Baker’s grave for a blessing by Father Cézar Penzo, who himself carried out the burial of Josephine Baker on 2 October 1975. HSH the Prince, HE Mr. Laurent Stefanini, Ambassador of France in Monaco, Kristen Grauer, Consul General of the United States in Monaco, then laid a wreath of flowers on the grave.
HSH the Prince was invited to symbolically remove a little earth near the grave which he placed in a wooden chest. According to the wishes of the Baker family, the singer’s remains will remain in the Principality of Monaco. But this Monegasque earth, mixed with earth from the cities of St. Louis, Missouri (where Josephine Baker is from), Paris, where she made her career, as well as Chateau des Milandes, where she raised her “rainbow tribe” entered the Pantheon on 30 November.
Princely Family Inaugurate Monaco’s Christmas Village
On Friday 3 December, HSH Prince Albert II, HRH the Princess of Hanover, the Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella as well as several other members of the Princely Family, inaugurated the Christmas village on Quai Albert-I.
The theme of this year’s village is “Christmas in Canada” and features a forest of natural fir trees, 37 traditional chalets and invites the public to immerse themselves in vast Canadian provinces, where young and old can meet the Puffin, the emblematic bird of Atlantic Canada, the “Bonhomme Carnaval”, the mascot of Quebec City’s winter carnival, or to travel in a mythical Canadian train. The Christmas market will be open until 2 January 2022.
Princess Stephanie launches New Perfume “Princess of Hearts”
On World AIDS Day, Princess Stephanie of Monaco launched a new perfume called “Princesse de Coeur” or “Princess of Hearts”. The proceeds from the first 800 bottles sold will go to Fight Aids Monaco, a charity founded by Princess Stephanie in 2004. On the occasion of the launch, Princess Stephanie shared a photo taken on 10 August 2021 at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco.
To develop the fragrance, Princess Stephanie worked with perfumer Laurent Mazzone to create a ‘refined rose elixir’ with ‘bewitching notes of patchouli’. Each bottle is now available for purchase for €395 on lmparfums.fr and other approved points of sale.
