It was the tear-jerker moment of National Day celebrations, when twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella held up signs from the Palace window saying “We miss you mommy” and “We love you mommy”, as Prince Albert put his hand to his heart.
It was always going to be a day of mixed emotions – a solemn mass at the Cathedral, the awarding of medals to service men and women, a celebration of 724 years of the House of Grimaldi.
But most poignantly, for the first time since their marriage 10 years ago, Princess Charlene was absent from National Day festivities this year in Monaco.
However, she was certainly not forgotten. About an hour after appearing in the Palace window alongside their father Prince Albert for the official military parade, six-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella held up hand-drawn signs saying “We miss you mommy” and “We love you mommy”, complete with red love hearts. A smiling Prince Albert looked to the crowd for their reaction, then affectionately put his hand to his heart and signaled a kiss as the crowd cheered on in support of the family.
The Princess was due to appear alongside her husband and two children to mark the special day, but the Palace revealed earlier in the week that she needed more time to recover from her state of “deep general fatigue”, in a location outside of the Principality.
In an interview with People published on Friday, Prince Albert further revealed that Princess Charlene’s current state is the result “of several factors which are private matters.” He added, “she was clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally. She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life.”
The Prince said that his wife had agreed that the best thing for her was to “have a rest and have a real medically framed treatment,” in a facility outside of Monaco for privacy reasons. Photo by Michael Alesi / Stéphane Danna, Government Communication Department
Earlier on National Day, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, decked out in full military attire, embraced their public duties and stood alongside their aunts Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and Princess Stephanie as Prince Albert completed the traditional awarding of medals in the Palace courtyard.
Also present for National Day celebrations was the extended Princely family, including Pierre Casiraghi and his wife Beatrice, Louis Ducruet and his wife Marie, Pauline Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb.
Top photo Michael Alesi / Stéphane Danna, Government Communication Department
Soriano Giaguaro: the future of electric motorbikes
Monaco Life was in Milan for the recent unveiling of the Soriano Giaguaro V1R electric motorbike, “one of the most advanced, stylish, environmentally friendly Italian machines on the planet.”
There are many things that Italy is famous for: the food, the wine, the fashion and the very fast cars. Something Italy is not decidedly famous for is superbikes, but that hasn’t stopped Marco Antonio Soriano from relocating the family’s motorcycle company, founded in Madrid in 1939, to Bel Paese and entrusting the Soriano legacy to a team of local experts.
On 10th November that team joined Marco, Founder of Soriano Motori Corp, for the fervent unveiling of the Giaguaro V1R electric motorbike in Milan – a profound revamp of the 1944 Tigre created by his grandfather, the impressively named Ricardo Soriano Hermensdorff von Scholtz, Marquis of Ivanrey. That 96cc beauty was also on display in Milan, a stark reminder of how far technology has come in 80 years. Ricardo Soriano Hermensdorff von Scholtz The original 1944 96cc Tigre, photo credit Simona Bruno
“It is an emotional moment today because it is my family legacy,” Soriano tells Monaco Life. “Not everyone has this history, this nostalgia and emotion. I think the human factor is driven by emotion, and this is where my creativity comes from.”
What began as a design on a napkin has become a game-changing vehicle that oozes Italian sophistication and style; a powerful sports bike designed to satisfy a generation of younger riders who want to position themselves in a sustainable future.
“The owners of Soriano EV motorcycles are promised to be piloting one of the most advanced, stylish, and environmentally friendly Italian machines on the planet,” says Soriano.
The motorbike features two electric motors which consist of liquid-cooled brushless units developed in collaboration with Moog. It weighs in at 100 kilograms, can charge from empty in 15 minutes, has a range of 320 kilometres, a max of 180kms/h and measures 80hp (60kw) thanks to a powerful 15-20kw battery comprised of high-capacity Lithium Polymer. With an acceleration of zero to 100kms (60mph) in 3.5 seconds, the Soriano Giaguaro (Jaguar) V1 measures up to many hypercars today.
Production takes place at two state-of-the-art facilities in Oggiono and Lecco, towns surrounding Lake Como, Italy. Photo credit Simona Bruno
The V1R and V1S are leading the charge, but the diverse range will also include a sports model – and all three are set to showcase at the Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA) from 25th to 28th November.
“The most important features that we had to keep in mind were the range, the performance, the weight, and we had to develop the right components in order to deliver the whole package,” says Designer Lykos Ornerakis.
It means that the major elements – the chassis, engine and management software – are completely “Made by Soriano”. So too are the unique gearbox and clutch systems, intended to really coax people away from petrol power.
“The problem with EVs, especially in the two-wheel sector, is the noise, or lack of it,” says Marco Soriano. “So, we created a technical sound system that allows you to hear the bike in three different sounds: the ‘vroom’ of the past, the EV ‘whistle’ of today, and the ‘enterprise’ sound of the future.” Photo credit Simona Bruno
“The second problem was a lack of gear shifting,” adds the motorbike enthusiast. “EVs are automated, so we added that component and, in doing so, we invented a brand new type of engine that connects to a gear box of five gears plus one that goes backwards, allowing you to go in reverse.”
While contributing to that motorbike thrill, sound also increases safety, something very few electric two wheelers can boast today.
With delayed progress on electric motorcycles from the other big manufacturers, including Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki, the time is ripe for Soriano to begin rolling out its SV two-wheel series.
But the market is gearing up, with Kawasaki expected to unveil its first electric motorcycle that same week at EICMA, and Ducati, Italy’s most famous motorcycle brand, announcing that it will supply e-motorcycles for MotoE races from 2023, even though it hasn’t made an e-bike yet.
Still, there’s luxury in buying from boutique manufacturers like Soriano Motori, which allows people to customise their electric motorbikes for a total fee of between 25,000€ and 35,000€.
So far, 80% of the first 100 motorbikes sold are headed to the United States where Marco Soriano is resident with his wife and three children. He’s now turning his attention to Europe, including Monaco. The Soriano Motori team and models wearing Soriano fashion, photo by Monaco Life
There’s a saying among motorcyclists that driving a car is like watching a movie, whereas riding a motorbike is like being in one. Well, there are few landscapes as epic as the winding coastal roads between Italy and France, not to mention Monaco’s commitment to trimming CO2 emissions and reducing traffic congestion.
“I am already looking to collaborate with various groups in Monaco to open up one of our very first retail stores there in the Principality,” reveals Soriano. “It is great for the brand and for sustainability. My appreciation is that Monaco embraces sustainability at a different level and we have a very strong ESG framework that I would like to share with the people of Monaco.”
That ESG commitment also includes the recycling of their electric batteries, which allows clients to recondition the component for a lifespan of 10 years.
Overall, Soriano’s complex modular system, with patented technologies, can be transferred to any other type of electric vehicle, so we plan on seeing more global electric vehicle development from this innovative company in the years ahead.
Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett will be playing live at the Opera Garnier this month, performing all the hits from his time with the band as well as from his solo career.
Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer… these are the many hats Steve Hackett has worn in his long and distinguished career in the music business. Now he is bringing his magic to Monaco where he will perform on stage at the Opera Garnier on Thursday 25th November.
Hackett came to fame as the lead guitarist for the progressive rock band Genesis from 1971 to 1977, contributing to six of the band’s studio albums, three live ones, seven singles and an EP before leaving to try his hand at a solo career.
As a soloist, he released several acclaimed albums, including a favourite of slain rock legend John Lennon, Selling England by the Pound.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2010 as a member of Genesis and hit the road again in 2013 after a long absence from touring, where he found a new set of fans and a renewed interest in his music.
By 2019, Hackett’s live performances were at their zenith, and he was playing sold out shows worldwide. The pandemic forced some cancellations, but he resumed touring as soon as was possible, allowing for the Monaco date.
During this same period, he also released his autobiography, A Genesis in my Bed, and announced an upcoming collaboration with Roger King for an acoustic album to be called Under a Mediterranean Sky.
Hackett will be playing at the Salle Garnier at the Opera de Monte Carlo on 25th November at 8:30pm.
Photo by Lee Millward
National Day kicks off with Prince’s speech and incredible drone show
On the eve of National Day, Prince Albert handed out awards for exceptional service and merit, gave a speech filled with memoriams, and offered hope for the future. Later that evening, the nation was dazzled by a drone show that exceeded expectations and proved environmentally sound to boot.
National Day in Monaco is usually filled with a great mixture of pomp, emotion, and a bit of fun. This year is no different, despite the challenges of the pandemic and economic recovery, with Prince Albert honouring the newest recipients of the Order of Saint Charles and the Order of Grimaldi, as well as those who were awarded medals for Physical Education and Sport in the Principality.
During the first ceremony, the Prince presented the Medals for Orders of Saint Charles and Grimaldi in the main courtyard of the Palace where he declared, “It is for me, every year, a pleasure and a renewed privilege to speak before the recipients of the two prestigious national orders – the Order of Saint Charles and the Order of Grimaldi – in order to distinguish them.”
He also used the time to thank all those in public and health services for their support and hard work during the pandemic but urged continued caution going forward as the indicators show that the crisis is far from over.
“Thanks to the tireless work of my government, the commitment of its services and the health professions, the support of the National Council as well as the support of the population, the situation has clearly improved in terms of health.”
“The game is not yet won,” said the head of state. “Shrewd observers agree in saying so in view of the current figures which are going up a little. It is therefore important to remain both vigilant and active. We must therefore persist in implementing measures preventing contagion, such as barrier gestures or vaccination.”
In reference to the economy, the Prince went on to say, “Most of the work has also been done to preserve our economy, safeguard our businesses and the standard of living of their employees. I do not forget either, of course, the care given to our school and sports system as well as to the situation of our elders. It is particularly important to me today to salute this collective effort.”
No speech by the Monegasque head of state would be complete without mention of a topic close to his heart, the environment. On this he said, “Our world is in turmoil and the Covid-19 pandemic is only one of its plagues. COP26, which I recently attended in Glasgow, highlighted many more. I also hear the desperation of populations struck in their flesh by conflicts of all kinds. We cannot be insensitive to these misfortunes and, moreover, this is the meaning to be given to our policy of international cooperation. But it is just as much our duty, our responsibility, towards those who will come after us, to project Monaco forward.”
The next set of awards were for Education and Sports and were presented at Stade Louis II. The Prince spoke before the assembled group of athletes, coaches, and other figures in the sporting world.
“I would like to thank you here warmly for the imprint with which you mark the sports disciplines to which you give the best of yourself,” he said. “Each and every one of you, with your personality, you contribute, in one way or another, to the aura of the sports disciplines which contribute to the reputation of Monaco.”
Lightening the solemn mood later that evening, Monaco’s residents were treated to a spectacular drone show, in lieu of the usual fireworks display. The precision and coordination of the 196 drones was extraordinary as they flew over Port Hercule and the Rock, creating symbols and words specific to the Principality, such as “Viva Munegu (Long Live Monaco), the planet Earth, and the intertwined A and C representing the union of Albert and Charlene.
The show began at 8pm with the full moon as a backdrop, and the whole of Monaco’s eyes were turned to the sight. Ten scenes in total were created by local company MC-Clic in this 100% eco-friendly event. The show lasted 12 minutes and was a huge hit.
Events continue Friday with the National Day mass at the Cathedral and the presentation of rank insignia and medals in the Cour d’Honneur, followed by the taking of arms and the military parade on the Place du Palais Princier.
Photo by Stephane Dana, Government Communication Department
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