Prince Albert II decorates the outgoing Minister of State Pierre Dartout

Minister of State Pierre Dartout received the rank of Commander of the Order of Saint Charles from Prince Albert II on Tuesday 27 August. The distinction is one of the highest in the Principality. Pierre Dartout is leaving the position after his four year term before Didier Guillaume becomes the new Minister of State on 2 September.

Pierre Dartout became Minister of State of Monaco in September 2020, after four decades of working in politics. In collaboration with Prince Albert II, Pierre Dartout has implemented actions with the aim of maintaining Monaco’s economic stability and strengthening its role model in environmental sustainability, even while facing a global pandemic.

Princess Charlene Foundation’s Water Bike Challenge

The Crossing: Calvi – Monaco Water Bike Challenge for the Princess Charlene Foundation will be taking place on 6 September, weather permitting. Twenty competitors will swim and pedal water bikes from Corsica to the Principality for the Foundation’s drowning prevention actions. The challenge is set to start at the Quai d’honneur in the port of Calvi at 2 p.m. 24 hours and 180 km later, the competitors should reach Larvotto beach at around 10 a.m.

“Many years ago, we started throwing around the daunting idea of organising a fund-raising sporting event like no other: the crossing of the Mediterranean on water bikes. This evolved into the Riviera Water Bike Challenge….and became Calvi-Monaco,” said Gareth Wittstock, Secretary General of the Foundation.

Prince Albert II, Grand Duke Henri and Princess Astrid received at the Élysée Palace before the Paralympic Games

Prince Albert II was back in Paris to meet with President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron during a reception at the Élysée Palace on Wednesday 28 August for the Paralympic Games. Princess Astrid, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa also attended the reception, which took place a few hours before the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.

Prince Albert II meets famous horse ‘Zeus’ at Paris City Hall

Prince Albert II met with the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, at City Hall for the Paralympic Games. Zeus, the now-famous robotic metal horse which paraded across the Seine during the Olympics, has been on display at the Hôtel de Ville since 29 August. Monaco is not presenting a delegation to these Paralympic Games. Prince Albert II is attending the Games in support of all the competing Paralympic athletes.

Prince Albert II confirms the replacement of Sylvie Petit-Leclair, Secretary of State for Justice of Monaco

In an official press release, Prince Albert II confirmed that Monaco’s Secretary of State for Justice, Sylvie Petit-Leclair, will be leaving the position on 16 September. She will be replaced by Samuel Vuelta Simon, who’s is currently a public prosecutor in Toulouse.

Sylvie Petit-Leclair was appointed Director of Judicial Services in June 2022 by Prince Albert II and was supposed to remain in the role until 31 May 2025. According to the Palace, Samuel Vuelta Simon is a renowned French magistrate.