Princely Family attend the Pàijeda Monaco Open
Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella attended the 2nd Monaco Open for Pàijedai, a Monegasque martial art, on 6 April at Espace St. Antoine. Over one hundred 6-14 year olds were selected to participate in the competition by the international martial arts academies of Monaco and Cap d’Ail. Prince Albert II presented the Albert II Cup to the winners.
The competition ended with the White Card Campaign, organised by Peace and Sport, to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Alice Pastor, President of the Pàijeda Federation, and Claude Pouget, expressed their gratitude to the Sovereign and his family for their presence and support of Pàijedai.
Princess Charlene gives a Water Safety Workshop ahead of the Rugby Tournament
Princess Charlene gave a water rescue workshop to 96 children at the Stade Louis-II swimming pool on 18 April, one day ahead of the St. Devote Rugby Tournament. Young children from eight U-12 teams (South Africa, Ivory Coast, Greece, Mauritius, India, Ecuador, United States, Georgia) learned first aid and water rescue basics. Organised by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and supervised by the team from the Académie Monégasque de la Mer, led by Pierre Frolla, the workshop took place with the support of the Monegasque Red Cross.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attend the 12th St. Devote Rugby Tournament
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the 12th St. Devote Rugby Tournament, held on 19 and 20 April at the Louis II Stadium. Organised by the Monegasque Rugby Federation in partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, the tournament invited U-12 rugby 7s teams from around the world, including South Africa’s Blue Bulls, to participate in a full day of competition and activities. The St. Devote Tournament was born in 2009 following an exchange between the Monegasque Rugby Federation and the Rugby Club Lucciana in Corsica. This year, the event was bigger than ever and took place over two days for the first time.
Prince Albert II loans Twenty Cars to the Alsatian National Automobile Museum
The Alsatian National Automobile Museum is showcasing twenty vehicles on loan from Prince Albert II for the new “From Monaco to Mulhouse” exhibition, which runs until 3 November. Never before have so many princely vehicles left the walls of the Car Collection of HSH the Prince of Monaco. The princely twins’ pedal car, Princess Charlotte’s 1952 Morris Minor and the Princely couple’s Lexus hybrid wedding car are some of the treasures on display in the exhibition.
Prince Albert II announces a Historic Donation to Protect the Mediterranean
During the 9th ‘Our Ocean 2024’ global conference in Athens, Greece, Prince Albert II made a historic announcement that his Foundation and others will be providing a significant amount of financial aid to meet the international objective of a 30% protected Mediterranean Sea in 2030. More than 60 million euros over five years has been promised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, as well as other private and public donors.
Currently, only 8.33% of the Mediterranean is protected. Recognised for its rich biodiversity, the Mediterranean is subject to increasing threats linked to climate change, pollution and unsustainable fishing practices.
Prince Albert II signs a new Partnership to Protect the Monk Seal
On the sidelines of the Our Ocean conference in Athens, which took place from 15-17 April, Prince Albert II signed a partnership between the Monk Seal Alliance (an initiative led by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation) and the Greek Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency. The partnership will strengthen the preservation of the Mediterranean Monk seal by developing marine protected areas, particularly in the Greek region of Alonissos. The area covers 2,315 square kilometres, including 158 km2 under strict protection status. The Alonnisos Marine National Park is the largest marine protected area in Greece and one of the largest in Europe. With almost 300,000 euros of financial support over five years, the partnership will make it possible to improve scientific monitoring in the area and help raise awareness about the endangered species.
Camille Gottlieb’s ‘Be Safe’ partners with the SBM
Be Safe Monaco and the Société des Bains de Mer have teamed up. The SBM will be financing a new driver, allowing the association’s second shuttle to run all summer. The partnership comes on the heels of a tragic series of six fatal alcohol-related accidents in Monaco in 2023 alone.
Founded in 2017 by Camille Gottlieb and four of her friends, Be Safe brings night owls home safely by free shuttle. Last year, Flavio Briatore’s Twiga restaurant-club financed a driver from Five Stars Valets to drive Be Safe’s first electric shuttle. Now, for July and August, the SBM will provide an additional shuttle to cover all the establishments in the Principality. The new shuttle will be operational from Monday to Sunday, from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. (Currently, the electric shuttle runs on Fridays and Saturdays, from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.)
