An extraordinary program of celebrations, organized by Princess Stephanie, began at 2:15 p.m. on 31 May with 21 cannon blasts. Members of the Princely Family participated in a memorable parade of vintage cars from the Prince’s collection.
The Princely family also watched performances by the Children’s Choir of the Rainier III Academy, U Cantin da Roca, the classical duo Monoïkos, the Carabinieri orchestra, Les Clowns en Folie and other circus performers. One hundred white doves were released by school children at 6:15 p.m. on the Place du Palais. Cake was shared with everyone at 9:15 p.m. and the day closed with a firework display at 10:15 p.m.
Princely Family inaugurates “A Prince at home, Rainier III” Exhibition
Over 12,500 people in Monaco came out to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Prince Rainier III on 31 May with events all over the Principality and appearances by the entire Princely Family.
As part of the celebrations, Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Princess Stephanie and her children and Princess Caroline and her children visited the “A Prince at home, Rainier III in images 1923-2005” in the Grand apartments of the Prince’s palace.
The exhibition, imagined by Thomas Fouilleron, Director of the Archives of the Prince’s Palace and Vincent Vatrican, Director of the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco, retraces the life of Prince Rainier III. From his role as the Head of State to his family life at the Palace, the exceptional archival photos and unpublished historical documents were thoroughly appreciated by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Prince Family inaugurates Centenary Sculpture Walk
A special sculpture walk was inaugurated by the Princely Family as part of Rainier III centenary celebrations on 31 May. Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella, Princess Caroline, Princess Stephanie, Charlotte Casiraghi, Tatiana Santo Domingo, Princess Alexandra, Pauline Ducruet, Louis Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb attended the inauguration ceremony.
The sculpture walk is a nod to Prince Rainier III’s wish to create an open-air museum in Monaco and provide free access to works by famous artists to the public.
Prince Albert II makes Historic visit to Haute-Loire
Prince Albert II visited the Haute-Loire department on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 June as part of his trips to territories historically linked to the Grimaldi family. Accompanied by the prefect, Eric Etienne, the Prince visited three towns belonging to the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco Lavoûte-sur-Loire, Polignac and Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon.
On Thursday 1 June, the Prince was welcomed to Lavoûte-sur Loire by Mayor Jean-Pierre Beaumel before visiting the Château de Lavoûte Polignac, property of a cousin of the Sovereign, Duke Armand-Charles de Polignac. Prince Albert II’s grandmother, Princess Charlotte, stayed at Lavoûte several times between 1915 and 1917 and met Count Pierre de Polignac there, whom she married in 1920.
The Sovereign then visited the town hall square for an official ceremony and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque before a visit to the church. In the afternoon, Prince Albert was received at Polignac, a village nestled in the heart of a volcanic country and cradle of the illustrious Polignac family. Accompanied by Mayor Jean-Paul Vigouroux, the Sovereign visited the fortress of Polignac. He then gained honorary citizenship of the city during a ceremony on the church square.
On Friday 2 June, after a private visit to Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire prefecture, HSH the Prince travelled to Saint-Pal-de-Chalencon. Accompanied by Mayor Pierre Brun, the Prince unveiled a commemorative plaque and took part in an official ceremony on the church square, surrounded by the local population.
Prince Albert II mourns the death of Albert Croesi
The Sovereign Prince and His Family expressed their most sincere condolences after learning about the sudden death of Albert Croesi. The Chief Country Officer for Quality of Life was also known for his tireless work on the Monaco Pavilion during the Universal Exhibition in Dubai. He led the way during the princely procession at the Prince Rainier III centenary celebrations on May 31.
According to a press release by HSH Prince Albert II, commitment, energy, duty, a sense of doing the right thing and an unwavering devotion to the Principality of Monaco and the Princely Family were the qualities that Mr. Croesi possessed.
Albert Croesi passed away in his sixty-second year after suffering a fatal heart attack at home on 3 June.
