Health authorities have reported the death of a 77-year-old Monaco resident who tested positive for Covid-19, marking the 38th related fatality in the Principality since the pandemic began.
On Thursday 23rd December, Monaco recorded 69 new cases of Covid-19, continuing an extremely high daily positive rate.
There has also been another fatality linked to the virus, a 77-year-old resident. It comes just days after the death of a 97-year-old resident earlier in the week.
Hospitalisations are also on the rise, with 21 patients now being treated at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre, including six residents. Four additional patients, all non-residents and unvaccinated, are currently in intensive care. The hospital has an eight-bed capacity ICU.
Meanwhile, the Home Monitoring Centre is following the health of a record 294 residents.
The Palace has revealed that Princess Charlene’s recovery will take a “few more months”, however her prognosis is “encouraging”.
Princess Charlene’s medical situation has been a roller coaster ride this entire year, so when word from the Palace came out on Thursday that her recovery efforts were “encouraging”, it was a hopeful sign for the future.
Though she is getting better, the statement made clear that she is not out of the woods yet, and that the mother of two will need to recover for “a few more months” before being able to consider a return home.
The statement reads, “The convalescence of Princess Charlene continues in a satisfactory and encouraging way, even if her recovery should still take a few months.”
It goes on to say that “as soon as her health is restored, it will be with immense pleasure that the Princess will once again share moments of conviviality with the Monegasques.”
The press release also indicates that the Prince and the twins, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, will be visiting the Princess over the Christmas holidays.
The Palace released an earlier statement in mid-November, soon after the return of Princess Charlene to Monaco, saying that she was suffering from a deep general state of fatigue and required rest. It was then revealed that she would be recuperating in an undisclosed location, in order to preserve her privacy and that of her family.
On Wednesday, Princess Charlene shared an illustrated Christmas family portrait with the words, “Wishing everyone a beautiful and safe festive season, all my love.”
For more than seven centuries, the people of Monaco have created holiday traditions around Christmas. Mostly stemming from religion, they are still in existence today, though many are now celebrated with a decidedly modern twist.
No Mediterranean Christmas would be replete without seasonal delicacies as part of the fun. In Monaco, one of the oldest is the Pan de Natale, a bread specially consecrated during the midnight Christmas Mass by the head of each family. It is a sweet, round loaf with four to seven hazelnuts and an olive branch stacked in the shape of a cross. The blessed bread is taken home to be eaten either after church or during the holiday meal on Christmas Day.
The practice is not as commonly followed today as in other eras, but the Monaco Committee on Traditions is making a push to revive it. Some local bakeries are again offering the special bread in the Christmas Day run up.
Pan de Natale
Another festive foodie tradition is that of 13 Desserts. Originally, it stemmed from the idea of honouring Jesus and his 12 apostles. Four of them are the “four beggars”, which represent different poverty-bound Catholic orders and are made up of hazelnuts and walnuts for the Augustinians, dried figs for the Franciscans, almonds for the Carmelites and raisins for the Dominicans.
Other sweets come into play and are generally dictated by family tradition, but include things such as figs, tangerines, grapes, oranges, pain d’epices, fruit tarts, quince, cheese, nougat and yule logs.
The main dessert, however, is called La Pompe, a sweet bread made with flour, olive oil, sugar, and orange flower essence. Traditionally, it is broken by hand, just as Christ broke his bread. If sliced, it is said that financial ruin is to be expected in the coming year.
La Pompe
Monegasques usually have a large Christmas Eve meal that would sound familiar to most and is made up of roast goose or turkey, foie gras, oysters, wild game and cheeses. Champagne is the drink of choice on this special occasion.
The olive branch blessing is an ancient local ritual which involves the youngest or oldest guest dipping an olive branch into a glass of wine, approaching the fireplace and offering a prayer. The other guests then drink wine in tribute, and everyone sits down to a generous feast. After the meal, raffles and other games are played.
Photo: Eric Mathon – Frédéric Nebinger / Prince’s Palace
A charming tradition that was started in the 1950’s by Princess Grace involves local children who are invited to the Palace where they enjoy afternoon tea, a magic show and a visit from Father Christmas himself. His elves then hand out special gifts to each of the children on his “nice” list.
The Christmas Village has also become quite a tradition in the Principality. This year’s village has a Canada theme, but it changes each year. Games, fun fair rides and stalls selling food, drinks and gifts line the port offering a bit of something for everyone.
Monaco Christmas village, by Monaco Life
Finally, the one that makes most people shiver at simply the thought of it, is the annual Christmas Swim. Up to 100 souls brave the chilly temperatures for a dip in the Med on Christmas Eve. Many participants dress up as Santa, making it a sight to behold for those onshore. The Prince and Princess are usually present in the aftermath and a raffle is typically held.
These are a few of the rituals and traditions that make a Monaco Christmas special.
There will be some prime skiing conditions throughout the region over the festive weekend, with the chance of some heavy snowfall at Isola 2000 in particular. As more and more ski runs and lifts open up, it is a great time to hit the slopes. Note: Snow tyres must be worn on the roads up to the ski resorts. Isola 2000 – There are currently 23 ski slopes and 12 ski lifts open at Isola. There’s 50-60 cm of snow at the resort, and it is expected to snow on Friday and throughout the weekend. There is likely to be anything from 6-14 cm on Friday, 3-8 cm on Saturday and 7-15 cm on Sunday. There will be highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. The col de la Bonette and la Lombarde roads are closed until the end of the winter season. Auron – There are currently 17 ski slopes and 15 ski lifts open at the resort. There is around 30cm of standing snow. Rain is expected over the weekend with a chance of snow on Sunday. There will be highs of 5°C and lows of 1°C. In terms of access, Route de la Tinée, Route de la Bonette, Piste de la Moustière, Piste de Demandols all remain closed. Les Deux Alpes – There are currently 76 ski slopes and 40 ski lifts open. There is already 100cm of standing snow at the resort. Rain is expected on Friday and Sunday, although Saturday should be largely sunny. There will be -1°C and highs of 5°C. La Colmiane – There are currently 9 ski slopes and 5 ski lifts open at the resort. There is also between 30 and 40cm of standing snow. Rain is expected on Friday and Saturday, although there will be clearer skies on Sunday. There will be highs of 4°C and lows of 1°C. The resort hasn’t reported any road closures. Greolieres les Neiges – There is currently 0cm of standing snow in the resort, with no snow forecast over the weekend. There will be rain showers throughout the weekend with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. The resort isn’t reporting any road closures. Limone Piemonte – There are currently 12 runs open at the resort and 11 ski-lifts. There is a minimum of 30cm of snow throughout the resort with a maximum of 70cm in places. Visibility should be good throughout the weekend and rain is expected, with lows of 1°C and highs of 8°C. Passage through the Roya valley currently isn’t possible due to the collapsed bridge at Tende. Drivers must instead pass through Ventimiglia and the journey from Monaco is currently approximately 3 hours. Valberg – There are 17 ski slopes and 11 ski lifts open. The resort currently has 40cm of standing snow. There is a chance of further snowfall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the possibility of 14cm of fresh snowfall over the course of the weekend. There is also the chance of some sunny weather with highs of 2°C and lows of -1°C.
The open-air ice rink at the Stade Nautique Rainier III in Monaco, was the scene of a captivating display on Saturday, whilst the rink remains open for public use over the Christmas period.
After last year’s spectacle on ice was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, fans, both young and old, arrived en masse to view this year’s instalment. They were not disappointed, as attendees were treated to an incredible exhibition of ice skating from none other than Father Christmas himself.
As an open-air ice rink, fans also had the opportunity to witness an awe-inspiring acrobatic display, with elements of circus acts also incorporated into the festive show. This was facilitated by the unique, open-air nature of the rink, with such spectacles not possible in more traditional, covered ice rinks. Photo: Mairie de Monaco
The public will be able to take to the ice themselves over the Christmas period, with the rink remaining open all the way through to the new year. As well as being a fun festive activity, with friends or with family, skaters also get the unique opportunity to skate right in the heart of the city, with beautiful views of the Prince’s Palace, the port and the mountains.
With the Winter Olympics in Beijing just around the corner, a new generation of skaters can be inspired to take to the ice and hone their skills in this unique breathtaking environment. With the rink remaining open until the beginning of March, anyone and everyone will have the chance to benefit from this experience.
AS Monaco secured an impressive victory against a Rennes side that Nico Kovac had dubbed “the best in the league”. The 2-1 victory on Wednesday lifts Monaco to sixth in the Ligue 1 table.
It was a special night at the Stade Louis II, with fans groups and youngsters packing the stands to support the side for the final time this year.
The Principality side began the fixture brightly, once again dominating possession and pressing high, this despite a change in formation that saw the side line-up in a 4-4-2.
It was Rennes, however, who took the lead. A lovely interchange with Gaetan Laborde and Martin Terrier saw the latter in on goal, and the French striker made no mistake, slotting past Aleksandr Nubel.
But Monaco were undeterred and got their reward half way through the first-half. Caio Henrique’s header across the Rennes box struck Hamari Traore’s arm, but was initially inexplicably missed by the referee. A quick VAR check amended the error, Wissam Ben Yedder stepping up to level the score from the spot in typically emphatic style. The French international striker is currently experiencing a purple patch, scoring six goals in his last eight games.
In a match that was largely devoid of opportunities, it was Monaco’s efficiency in front of goal that proved the difference. A beautiful glancing header from Kevin Volland from a volleyed Sofiane Diop cross put Monaco in the lead.
Rennes pushed for an equaliser late on, Baptiste Sanramria saw his effort clip off the top of the bar, and Benjamin Bourigeaud saw his late effort saved by Nubel.
Monaco did, however, hold on to secure a vital win against a rival for the European places. The win also means Monaco finished the year on a high, prompting Kovac to reflect on the team’s success in 2021.
“It has been a very successful year. At the start of the season we had a few problems, but step-by-step we are progressing and we will try to continue in this way in 2022,” said the Croat manager. “It is great to reduce the gap between the teams just before Christmas. We will be able to spend the holidays carefree.”
Monaco now find themselves a mere two points off the European places going into the Christmas break. On their return on 2nd January, they face a difficult trip to Quevilly-Rouen in the Coupe de France, before returning to Ligue 1 action away to Nantes a week later.
Photo source: AS Monaco
All the headlines and highlights from Monaco, direct to you every morning
