HSH Prince Albert II is one of a host of famous personalities to lend their support to a new music video designed to raise funds for UNICEF. The long-standing charity had the passionate support of Sir Roger Moore for 27 years, a legacy which his son and granddaughter are now determined to carry on through this song.
The James Bond star was introduced to UNICEF and its campaigns by his friend Audrey Hepburn and, as its Goodwill Ambassador, spent the next three decades visiting many UNICEF projects across the globe, sometimes with his children in tow.
“He took me on a couple of his tours and I saw how passionate he was,” Geoffrey Moore, eldest son of Sir Roger, tells Monaco Life. “One trip actually scarred me, we both found it hard to swallow. I could see how moved and frustrated he was.”
The United Nations Children’s Fund, originally known as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, was founded in 1946 and strives to improve the lives of children and their families in over 190 countries. It’s motto: “All children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.”
Six weeks before his death in 2017, Geoffrey presented his father with a song he had co-written for UNICEF called U.N.I (You and I).
“I played it for my father and he loved it,” reveals Geoffrey. “After his death, we wanted to continue the work that he had dedicated much of his life to, and had given up his film career for, and what better way to spread a good message for a sad cause than through music.”
Backed by the powerful name that is Sir Roger Moore, and making good use of his address book, Geoffrey and his daughter Ambra spent the next two years enticing celebrities to take part in their music video.
“It is an uplifting and happy song,” says Ambra, “and it is fun to see all of these celebrities involved in this way. I especially like seeing Liam Neeson lip-sinking along to a woman’s voice.”
Among other notable faces are Sir Michael Caine, Dame Joan Collins, Joanna Lumley and our very own Prince Albert II who I am assured can not only sing very well, he can also dance.
“He is the Head of State, he could have said ‘I can’t be seen doing this’,” Geoffrey tells me. “But considering how fond he was of my father and how close we were as a family throughout all those years, it might have been harder for him to say no.”
Screenshot of Prince Albert lip-sinking in the U.N.I music video
It was the connection between Hollywood actress-come-Princess Grace Kelly and Sir Roger Moore that originally brought the two families together, but Sir Roger’s love for Monaco saw him move to Larvotto around 2002 with his fourth wife Kristina Tholstrup, who he is said to have met at a dinner party in the Principality.
The song U.N.I was co-produced by Geoffrey’s brother Christian Moore, president of the Monaco Ambassadors Club and president of Superyacht TV, who presented the music video to MAC members during a cocktail event this week.
“A huge part of this was to honour my grandfather’s legacy and his work for UNICEF,” says Ambra. “But we also thought this would be a great, fun way to raise money for the charity.”
Persistent trade tensions and rising geopolitical risks are taking their toll on the global economy. Indeed, Germany appears close to recession. But this is due to its high exposure to manufacturing, which has been the main victim of the ongoing trade dispute. Services and households continue to be resilient and should prevent a global recession. At a time of such elevated uncertainty, we prefer companies exposed to areas immune to trade tensions.
Sentiment towards equities improved in September on hopes of a US-China trade accord. However, limited upside to earnings and rich market valuations mean that equities are unlikely to break significantly above their trading range. That said, several opportunities exist for active managers to add alpha.
In particular, we keep our preference for quality stocks. While value stocks rebounded strongly against their quality peers in September after years of underperformance, quality stocks remain a more compelling investment style and are likely to regain the ascendency soon.
Despite concerns over high leverage levels and an economic slowdown, the outlook for investment grade debt is positive. However, security selection will be key for speculative grade debt this late in the cycle, as the risk of a surge in default risk rises.
Private debt assets under management have more than trebled in the ten years to 2018, buoyed by low interest rates and an expanding pool of negative-yielding fixed income securities. Prospects for the asset class remain positive, not least thanks to different strategies which benefit at different times of the economic cycle.
By Jean-Damien Marie and Andre Portelli, Co-heads of Private Bank Investments
For more information, contact Barclays Private Bank in Monaco by clicking here or call +377 93 15 35 35.
The line-up for the Monte Carlo Spring Arts Festival has been unveiled in a rather unique way. A film written by artistic director of the festival, Marc Monnet, gave those present a taste of what the 2020 event will look like.
The next edition of the Spring Arts Festival will feature 31 live concerts and shows, an exhibition, a film screening and two digital installations. Before the festival and the concerts, visitors will have an opportunity to be a part of meetings and discussions with the artists.
“As you may have noticed, we are proposing strong themes this year,” said Mr Monnet, “including a major presence from Quebec, a cycle of French music, extra-European music with songs and dances from Bali and three days around the harpsichord.”
Public favourites will be brought back for this year’s show, including the “surprise trip”, concerts in apartments and concerts held outside the Principality.
The Monte Carlo Spring Arts Festival runs from 13th March until 11th April 2020. For more information go to: www.printempsdesarts.mc
Written by Stephanie Horsman
Interview: Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent, on how it all began
In the first of his new regular Monaco Life columns, Geoffrey Kent – ex-British Army officer, former champion polo player, Monaco resident and founder and co-chairman of renowned luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent – answers our questions on his fascinating past, present and future.
Monaco Life: How and when did Abercrombie & Kent begin?
Geoffrey Kent: In February 1960, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan gave a speech to the South African Parliament in which he famously claimed that “the wind of change is blowing through this continent”. Fortunately, my parents – Colonel John and Valerie Kent – were sensitive to these changing winds, and knew some fundamental shifts were coming. My father began to work as a part-time guide with a local travel company. It was lucky he did.
Colonel John, Valerie Kent and a young Geoffrey Kent
In 1962, the British government gave Kenya self-governance and determined that the farms in the highlands would be returned to the Kikuyu people, and just like that, my parents lost their farm in the Aberdares.
Dad knew the roads and sights of Africa better than any other tour guide in the region – he had been the first person to map the route from Kenya to Nigeria whilst in the army. Thanks to this local knowledge, he was able to earn a good wage, especially from American travellers who tipped generously when they liked a guide.
Colonel John and son Geoffrey Kent
At this point, I was in the army serving as Aide-de-Camp to Major-General John Frost, a great WWII hero. During one trip home, my parents and I made a decision. We loved Africa, and travellers were growing more interested in the place we called home. Coming up with the slogan ‘shoot with a camera, not with a gun’, we decided to start our own safari company. Our first challenge was what to call our travel business? We picked the quite grand-sounding “Abercrombie” because it would put us at the top of the yellow pages.
What did you want to be growing up?
I was obsessed with polo from the time I learnt the sport. When I was 14, Major Digby Tatham-Warter, a family friend, was training me in three-day eventing at his farm in Eburru. One day he said: “Geoff, you’re excellent in the saddle and you’ve got quick reflexes. Why not try your hand at polo? It’s a much more exciting sport.” And how right he was. Polo excited me wildly and I spent hundreds of afternoons riding ponies with a polo stick in my hand. I became a world-class player and eventually I captained the HRH The Prince of Wales team, Windsor Park. I won a Cartier Open, World Open Championship, US Gold Cup, and two US Open victories. These victories were dreams come true and more than I could have imagined as a 14-year-old learning at Eburru.
Geoffrey Kent playing polo
Can you pinpoint any moments at which your life was changed?
When I was only 16, I rode a Daimler Puch 250cc from Nairobi to Cape Town. On this 3,000-mile journey of self-discovery along some of Africa’s most dangerous roads, the mantra that I would build my life and business upon came to me: adventure by day, security and luxury by night. More than 55 years after founding A&K, I still like to push my boundaries and still love a luxurious hotel
In 1996, I suffered a near-fatal polo accident that crushed my spine and forced my retirement from the sport. I was forced to turn all my attention to the business. Arguably Abercrombie & Kent would not be the company it is today if I hadn’t had that accident.
Geoffrey outside a Manyara tent
What lessons have your travels taught you?
Lesson one: good hand luggage is vital. I’m never without my Louis Vuitton briefcase. It’s a Président Classeur from 1972 that’s been all over the world with me. In a pinch, I’ve used it as weights for my daily workout when staying in a tent in the middle of nowhere. Fully packed, it weighs about 11kg. I’ve also used it to get out of many a hole, figuratively and literally. In Tanzania when my Land Cruiser got stuck on a dirt track, I put my case down in the mud, placed the jack on top and jacked the vehicle out. It’s indestructible.
Second lesson from ‘the school of life’: always have a phone to hand. Louis Pasteur said that “chance favours the prepared mind”, and once in 1975 I spent a few nights in jail in Juba, Sudan. The Southern Sudanese army were holding some of my clients hostage and, against all advice, I had flown in to rescue them. I sat in that stale, dank cell wondering how on earth I’d fix the situation when I didn’t even have a phone. All ended well, but from that moment on, I’ve always carried an Iridium satellite phone.
Geoffrey Kent on his motorbike
If you could relive one moment in time, what would it be?
I couldn’t possible choose just one. May I have two?
Firstly, the moment I turned down the opportunity to have dinner with Nelson Mandela. What could have been more important than that? I can’t recall now, but I do keenly regret never meeting him.
Secondly, I would relive the time I took Richard Burton on safari in Kenya. One night in camp, three lionesses brought down a buffalo by our fire and he thought I had set it all up.
What are you most proud of, professionally speaking?
I am lucky enough to have worked hand in hand with visionary leaders to protect wilderness areas that are home to endangered species in order to preserve them for future generations. In 1985, I met with the soon-to-be President of Uganda, General Museveni. Together we discussed how to protect their mountain gorillas while at the same time benefiting the local Batwa people. Museveni set aside a reserve area, and in return, A&K brought tourists to see them, establishing the first luxury camp. As a result, the gorillas were protected and became the focus of a burgeoning tourism economy. Thirty years later, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a safe haven for more than half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas.
For more than 30 years, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) has been dedicated to positively impacting lives and livelihoods in the communities where our guests travel. AKP is currently working on more than 40 projects spread across all seven continents.
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
What’s next for A&K?
A&K will continue to offer tailor-made luxury holidays and unparalleled escorted-tour experiences. Someone once calculated that I travel 300,000 miles a year and I have no plans to slow down. I’ll continue to plan and lead my innovative Inspiring Expeditions by Geoffrey Kent. I’m currently in Ethiopia and planning another to Brazil for the Carnival.
Fashion week is the crown jewel of New York with thousands of people arriving in the city to see what designers believe to be the next “it” item on the trend list.
Personally, I arrive “late” to present the fall winter best sellers to a very intimate group of American ladies. It is happening uptown at the Savoy private room building, in joint venture with jewellery designer Clarissa Bronfman.
The possibility of getting a one-on-one showcase and fashion fitting with the best New-Yorker fashion ambassadors gives my newest collection an international aura.
This season, I’ll be bringing my newfound Navaho-inspired designs, along with thick cashmere oversized sweaters and jacquard capes. I’ll be rushing into New York from Geneva, before coming back to Monaco for a deserved long weekend, hopefully it will be as sunny as here.
On my way to the venue, Barney’s windows are capturing public attention with a messy Manolo Blanik multi-coloured suede shoes basket, rigorously plexiglassed, and 4,573 different winter outfits from international designers.
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Monaco’s commitment to the global anti-torture convention
Monaco has reaffirmed its commitment to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Carole Lanteri, Monaco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva attended the 17th Meeting of States to discuss the convention last week.
The meeting, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 3rd October, was primarily an opportunity to elect five new members to the Committee Against Torture (CAT). The committee is comprised of 10 independent experts who ensure compliance of the convention by member states, who are required to submit reports periodically to the committee for review.
Monaco’s last review before the CAT board was in November of 2016.
A large number of candidates were presented from the international community this year, showing a remarkable dedication to the cause.
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted by the United Nations in 1984 and enforced by all member states in 1987. The Principality became a member in 1991 and as of today, there are 168 nations signed onto the Convention.
By being party to this alliance, countries vow to embrace certain set-in-stone measures to prevent torture within their borders, as well as protecting and not returning any individual from another state where they may be in danger of physical persecution.
Written by Stephanie Horsman
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