Princess Caroline and Prince Albert II award Monaco International Dog Show Winners
Princess Caroline of Hanover and Prince Albert II of Monaco took part in the awards ceremony for the Monaco International Dog Show on Sunday 8 May. Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, president of the Canine Society of Monaco, was also in attendance. Over 1,000 dogs of 180 different breeds, representing 23 countries participated. The Prince and his older sister pet the winning canines and presented them with golden trophies and red-and-white ribbons. Last year, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella accompanied Princess Caroline and Charlotte Casiraghi to the event.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene attend Saint Devota Rugby Tournament
Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella attended the Saint Devota Rugby Tournament at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco on 7 May. The 10th Saint Devota rugby tournament was organized in partnership with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
Alongside the competition, the ‘Rugby for all’ association offered courses adapted for children and young adults with disabilities. The Monegasque team was awarded the Sainte Devote trophy, after winning the match between the Monegasque Rugby Federation and Lucciana Rugby Club. Princess Charlene congratulated all the participants of the international tournament.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad received at Prince’s Palace
Prince Albert II received Nadia Murad, co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize at the Prince’s Palace on 9 May. Nadia Murad is a Yazidi human rights activist from Sinjar (Kurdistan) in northern Iraq. In 2014, she was captured by Islamic State fighters and held as a sex slave for several months before managing to escape. Since then, she has been tirelessly telling her story around the world to help Yazidi survivors, defend the rights of marginalized ethnic and religious minorities, and fight against the use of rape as a weapon of war. She bravely spoke about the day when Islamic State fighters rounded up the Yazidi community in her village and killed six hundred people, including her mother and six of her brothers, and took her captive.
The Sovereign Prince spoke about His support for survivors of sexual violence linked to conflicts throughout the world, as well as the possibility for Monaco to participate in education and health projects. Nadia Murad concluded her moving visit by offering Prince Albert II a piece of pottery made by a Yazidi woman which is inscribed with a poem, and a copy of her book ‘The Last Girl’.
Flame of the Unknown Soldier comes to Monaco for the First Time
The Eternal Flame travelled outside of the French territory for the first time in history. On the evening of 8 May, to commemorate the French Victory of 1945, Prince Albert II spoke about the importance of remembrance as he welcomed the Flame of the Unknown Soldier in front of the War Memorial in Monaco’s cemetery.
The flame travelled by car, protected in a storm lamp, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Principality. Journalist and poet, Gabriel Boissy, initially came up with the idea of the eternal flame, which was first lit on 11 November 1923. Two years earlier, the remains of The Unknown Soldier were buried under the Arc de Triomphe. The soldier, who was decorated with the Legion d’Honneur, the highest medal in France, symbolizes all of those who died in battle fighting for their country.
Alongside the Prince were Patrice Cellario, representing the Minister of State, Archbishop Dominique-Marie David, Yvette Lambin Berti, Secretary of State of the Prince’s Palace, Stéphane Valeri and Brigitte Boccone-Pagès, President and Vice-President of the National Council and its Vice-President, Mayor Georges Marsan and many others. According to Admiral Alain Coldefy, the Flame of the Unknown Soldier left Metropolitan France for the first and only time.
Bernard Bezzina’s painted Porsche to join Prince’s Car Collection
Artist Bernard Bezzina used a Porsche as his canvas and presented the work of art to Prince Albert II. The car will become part of the Cars of Prince Albert II collection in July 2022. The Var artist’s unique and 100% electric vehicle was unveiled on the Place du Palais to the delight of onlooking tourists. The Taycan model also acted as a safety car during the 5th E-Prix. Inspired by aluminum and steel, Bernard Bezzina covered in painted geometric shapes. The artist is currently working on three gigantic sculptures for Monaco’s future Mareterra district.
Lions Club Gala raises 10,000 euros for Prince Albert II Foundation
The Lions Club of Monaco celebrated its 60th anniversary with a gala dinner at the Hermitage Hotel. During the evening, an auction raised 10,000 euros for the Prince Albert II Foundation to support the Pelagos Initiative. The big check was presented to Olivier Wenden, president of the Prince’s Foundation, by Isidoro Miele, president of the Lions Club, alongside several members of the association. The Pelagos Initiative is the first cross-border sanctuary in the Mediterranean. The 87,500 km 2 protected area, whose governance is shared between France, Italy and the Principality is home to a variety of vital marine mammals.
