Five Carabiniers of Prince Albert II of Monaco have brought smiles to the faces of some young patients at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre, gifting them with teddy bears decked out in matching uniforms.
The Prince’s Carabinieri Corps regularly support various associations in Monaco, often through sport.
But this year, they wanted to provide support to the professionals and volunteers of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre (CHPG) who come to comfort sick children and parents.
So, the Carabiniers (Prince’s guards), accompanied by Captain Hervé Matu, visited the children’s ward of the hospital on Thursday 21st December and gifted ‘Carabinieri’ teddy bears to the hospitalised children, which undoubtedly brought some much needed festive cheer.
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Photo: Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, Director of the Princess Grace Hospital Center, surrounded by the Carabinieri who came to offer teddy bears to sick children. Credit: Communication Department / Manuel Vitali
Princess Grace Irish Library to host lecture by Patrick O’Sullivan Greene on Irish American legacy
The Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco is abuzz with anticipation as renowned Irish author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene is set to deliver a lecture that promises to be both enlightening and transformative. Titled ‘From Revolution to Royalty: The Making of an Irish American Princess’, the lecture will delve into the intricate tapestry of Irish American history and its profound impact on society.
At his upcoming lecture at the Princess Grace Irish Library, Patrick O’Sullivan Greene is set to explore the complex Irish-American identity through the lives of three influential figures: F. Scott Fitzgerald, who navigated cultural insecurities in his writing against an Anglo-Saxon-dominated backdrop; Judge Daniel F. Cohalan, who fought against stereotypes and reshaped the narrative of Irish contributions in America; and Jack Kelly, whose remarkable transformation from a bricklayer to an Olympian and millionaire symbolises the Irish-American dream, culminating in the royal legacy of his daughter, Grace Patricia Kelly. These trio’s stories poignantly encapsulate the struggles and triumphs of the Irish American experience.
Greene’s lecture is an immersive experience that promises to weave together these individual stories into a broader narrative of Irish American resilience and achievement. His recent book, ‘Revolution at the Waldorf: America and the Irish War of Independence’, will serve as a backdrop to this exploration, offering attendees a deeper understanding of the historical context.
The lecture is part of the Prince Grace Irish Library’ early 2024 program, the theme of which is ‘A retrospective: 40 years of the Princess Grace Irish Library’. To view the full program, click here: Lectures | The Princess Grace Irish Library (pgil.mc)
The Princess Grace Irish Library is supported by The Ireland Funds Monaco, which funds its Bursary programme. This programme, supporting Irish culture and education, will benefit author Flor MacCarthy in spring 2024.
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Prince Albert’s foundation receives €200,000 donation from Edmond de Rothschild bank
Earlier this month, the Monaco branch of the family-owned Edmond de Rothschild bank made an incredible €200,000 donation to the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco (FPA2) following an innovative fundraising campaign that its investment specialists launched back in May.
The ‘Investing in and Contributing to a Better World’ scheme gave the bank’s clients the option to put their money in secure investment funds while simultaneously contributing to charitable causes.
This led to the creation of a “100% capital-guaranteed investment solution” that saw all of the brokerage fees collected for the fund put towards the chosen benefactor, which was the FPA2.
Clients were also given the added voluntary option of giving anything from 0.5% to 3% of their investment to the FPA2 as an up and extra, which many took up willingly.
Through the generosity of its clients, the bank, which touts itself as “a conviction-driven investment house dedicated to the belief that wealth is what tomorrow can be made of”, collected a windfall for the FPA2 of €170,000, to which the bank added a further €30,000.
“A local project in line with the family’s age-old aspirations”
This total sum was presented to the FPA2, with Prince Albert II on hand himself to accept the cheque, on 19th December.
“We were keen to initiate a local project in line with the family’s age-old aspirations,” said Michael Mennella, the Head of Private Banking at Edmond de Rothschild Monaco, at the ceremony. “Acting for future generations, whether through our investments or our charitable projects, is fundamental. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is very committed to environmental sustainability, was a natural choice.”
Olivier Wenden, the Vice-President and CEO of the FPA2, expressed gratitude for the munificent contribution, saying, “We would like to sincerely thank the Edmond de Rothschild Monaco bank and its clients for this generous donation, which will support the Foundation’s mission to protect and progress ocean and planetary health. Finding a new balance, reconciling ecology and economy, is essential to ensure a sustainable future.”
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Temperatures in the Alps and across much of Europe’s ski resorts were positively balmy over Christmas. Even above 2,000 metres, the sun shone brightly and with plenty of warmth on 25th December, which felt more like a spring day in the mountains than one of mid-winter.
There was still some snow on the ground of resorts in southern France – enough to make a snowball or two – but it was light and patchy. On piste, snowmakers provided an extra dusting to compensate for the lack of natural snow for some of the slopes, but the majority remained closed.
Across the region, as well as elsewhere in Europe, there has been a distinct lack of decent snowfall since the start of the month.
A €27 billion industry under threat
Europe’s €27 billion ski industry is home to 80% of the world’s ski resorts and a high proportion of the most famous and popular, but all are suffering as global temperatures rise incrementally.
“Scarce snow”, which is defined as the poorest coverage of snow experienced on average every five years between 1961 and 1990, is becoming more and more common.
According to a recent report, half of Europe’s ski resorts will have scarce snow every other year if global temperatures increase to 2C above preindustrial levels. This figure rises to 98% if there is 4C of global heating.
Reliance on artificial snow
If artificially produced snow is accounted for – enough to provide 50% coverage on piste – it reduces those statistics to 27% for a 2C rise and 71% for a 4C rise.
A reliance on artificial snow will be controversial, however. The process requires significant energy and water use, the latter of which could be a problem for the resorts in a regularly drought-stricken southern France, and produces damaging emissions, albeit just 2% of the overall greenhouse gases created by ski resorts.
Already in the winter of 2023/24, there will be many resorts on the continent, and not just in the southern Alps, that will be relying heavily on snow cannons if they are going to provide enough skiing and snow to keep their visitors happy.
Even then, snow machines can only do so much. They can assist with snow cover if temperatures stay low enough, but they are helpless at combatting the unusual mildness of the weather.
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France’s minimum wage will be raised from the beginning of January, meaning that the country’s lowest paid full-time employees will get an additional €20 per month.
The rise of 1.13% will be the second increase to France’s salaire minimum de croissance or SMIC in less than a year, following a 2.22% hike back in May.
Typically, the SMIC is reviewed and adjusted based on inflation annually, with any changes coming into effect on 1st January.
In real terms, the new monthly wage for SMIC earners will reach €1,766.92 gross per month, up from €1,747.20. With taxes taken out, spendable income is €1,398.69, up from €1,383.09. Broken down further into hourly wages, the gross comes in a €11.65, with a net of €9.22.
From an exquisite Tourbillon Souverain estimated to sell for €250,000 to €300,000 to a private collection of over 100 “sparkling” jewellery pieces, the draw of rare and collectable accessories at Artcurial’s Monaco Auction Week is of the very highest calibre.
Between 14th and 17th January, Artcurial’s team of experts and auctioneers will be taking up residence at the Hôtel Hermitage for the winter 2024 edition of Monaco Auction Week.
As always, the sales will feature a dazzling array of accessories, from luxury timepieces for men and a Le Temps est Féminin category of watches for women to jewellery and handbags, with a particularly strong collection of pieces from Hermès.
“These annual events have become a must for connoisseurs and collectors from around the world,” says a spokesperson for Artcurial.
The first day of the event will offer interested parties the chance to peruse the items ahead of the sales taking place on 15th, 16th and 17th January at the hotel.
WATCHES
Among the highlights in the men’s watches section, the auction for which will begin at 5pm on 15th January, is a showstopping pair from F.P. Journe, described by the event’s curators at a “genius watchmaker”.
The first is the Octa Chronographe Ruthenium, whose dial is plated with the metal ruthenium, a derivative of platinum. This limited edition from 2006 has an estimated sale price of €150,000 to €200,000 and is one of only 99 in the world. The second is an iconic Tourbillon Souverain that carries an estimated sale price of €250,000 to 300,000.
This F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain is anticipated to sell for between €250,000 and 300,000. Photo courtesy of Artcurial
It will be the ladies’ turn on 16th January from 2pm, when auctioners for Le Temps est Feminin present what organisers are calling an “eclectic selection” spotlighting 1980s pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels, Patek Philippe and Piaget.
A number of the stunning timepieces have come from one private collection, which combines a wealth of textures and materials.
“Gold, delicately guilloché or textured, is combined with diamonds, pearls and wood,” says a spokesperson for Artcurial. “From hypnotic onyx dials to oversized lapis lazuli bezels, the sale will feature a variety of materials and genuine craftsmanship.”
According to Marie Sanna Legrand, Director of Artcurial’s Watch Collection, “The next Monaco Auction Week promises to be exciting for all lovers of clocks and collectible watches. Connoisseurs will have the pleasure of discovering ultra-desirable Haute Horlogerie pieces as well as watches steeped in history.”
JEWELLERY
At 5pm on 16th and then again at 2pm on 17th January, an impressive grouping of jewellery items from a private collector will go under the gavel. The collector in question is believed to have amassed about a hundred pieces from shops on the Place Vendôme, as well as from well-respected American and Swiss houses.
“The Monaco sale in January 2024 promises to be sparkling under a sky of multi-coloured stones and diamonds in all its facets,” says Jewellery Director Valérie Goyer.
Amongst these gems are 10 sets with top-quality diamonds from Harry Winston and a unique and very modern gold, brushed steel and 14.19 carat diamond ring from MC Brushes, which has been valued at between €80,000 and €120,000.
The brushed steel 14.19 carat ring from MC Brushes. Photo courtesy of Artcurial
HANDBAGS
Finally, on 17th January at 11am, lovers of designer handbags will have their moment at the Hermès & Luxury Bags event. The So Black collection created by Jean Paul Gaultier in 2010 will be featured, as will an adorable Quelle Idole Hermès bag in orange and brown Gulliver calfskin from 2000, which has a projected sale price of between €12,000 and €22,000.
For more information about the series of auctions, click here.
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