On Saturday 30 April, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the Monaco E-Prix with Their children, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
HSH the Prince and Prince Jacques presented the trophy to winner Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes – EQ Formula). Princess Charlene and Princess Gabriella awarded the second place winner, Mitch Evans (Jaquar TSC Racing) and Jean-Eric Vergne (DS-Techeetah), who finished third, was presented with a trophy by Louis Ducruet.
Prince Albert II drives through Monaco in Volvo Electric Truck
Prince Albert II surprised pedestrians across the Principality when he went behind the wheel of a Volvo electric truck on Wednesday and drove from the Place du Palais to the Salon Ever marquee in Fontvieille. It was a memorable and unique way for the sovereign to demonstrate his commitment to green modes of transportation. In the passenger seat was none other than Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks.
Under the Salon Ever marquee, a village of forty start-ups showcased a wealth of local innovation. On display at the event was the “first hybrid retrofit of a vintage vehicle” the 1954 Sunbeam Alpine, made famous by Princess Grace in Hitchcock’s ‘To Catch a Thief’.
Artist Bernard Bezzina presents painted Porsche to Prince Albert II
Artist Bernard Bezzina used a Porsche as his canvas, and presented the work of art to the Sovereign. The Var artist’s unique and 100% electric vehicle was unveiled on the Place du Palais to the delight of visiting tourists. The Taycan model acted as a safety car on Saturday during the 5th E-Prix. The artful car will eventually make its way to a museum, either at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart or in the Sovereign’s Car Collection.
Prince Albert II visits Euroflora Exhibition in Genoa
On Saturday 23 April, Prince Albert II attended the opening of the 12th Euroflora exhibition in Genoa. Welcomed by the mayor of the city, Marco Bucci, the director of Euroflora, Salvatore Suracce, and other local officials, the Sovereign made a point to visit the special stand set up by Monaco’s own Exotic Garden.
Prince Albert II also admired the “Princess of Monaco” rose dedicated to Princess Grace and grown in the Parchi di Nervi rose garden. In 1966, Prince Rainier III and his wife Princess Grace honoured the first edition of this exhibition with their presence. Every five years, the Euroflora brings together several hundred exhibitors from around the world. Princess Grace returned to the exhibition in 1971. At the end of the visit, local authorities presented the Sovereign Prince with the rose of Genoa as well as a photo of His parents during their visit.
After the Euroflora exhibition, the Prince paid a private visit to the Villa del Principe. The Sovereign took part in a round table, during which he was presented with research done in collaboration with Genoese entities as part of the ongoing restoration of the frescoes of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco. At the end of the visit, HSH the Prince received citizenship to the municipality of Genoa, after a presentation of the centuries-old links between Genoa and Monaco by an art historian. The city of Genoa recently joined the Italian association Siti storici Grimaldi di Monaco.
Prince Albert II visits Matera and Alberobello
On Friday 22 April, Prince Albert II continued His visit to the Puglia region. In the morning, the Sovereign visited Matera, classified as a World Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO. Considered the third oldest city in the world, Matera is famous for its cave dwellings, the “Sassi di Matera”. The Italian city was the European Capital of Culture in 2019.
The Prince was then welcomed by local authorities to the Palazzo del Governo before travelling to Contrada Pietrapenta, about 12 km from Matera, to discover the Crypt of Original Sin, one of the most significant examples of medieval painting in the Mediterranean. The princely visit to Puglia concluded in Arberobello, a small town located in the Itria Valley, which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After lunch offered by the mayor, Michele Longo, the Prince discovered the striking traditional “trulli” houses, made with distinct cone-shaped roofs covered in limestone slate.
Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo attend Dior Grand Gala
At the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo attended the Dior Grand Gala on the opening day of Venice Art Biennale. Over four hundred guests were present at the gala.
The couple dressed in matching Dior outfits. Both of them have a connection with the French fashion house, Beatrice Borromeo is a brand ambassador and Pierre Casiraghi is a model for Dior Homme. The charity gala was a collaboration between Dior and the non-profit Venetian Heritage organization and helped raise funds for the restoration of the Ca ‘d’Oro Museum and Ukrainian refugees in Italy.
