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Day: 26 February 2024

Princely couple in Courchevel for charity gala benefitting Princess Charlene Foundation

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/02/2024

Over the weekend, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco headed to the glamourous Alpine resort of Courchevel, where they were the guests of a charity auction and gala organised for the benefit of the Princess Charlene Foundation and the Club des Sports Courchevel. 

The turnout for the second Courchevel Charity Gala, held under the Honorary Presidency of Prince Albert and British billionaire Sir James Ratcliffe, was impressive, with some 200 VIPs from the worlds of sport, business, the arts and European nobility, such as Prince Alexandre of Liechtenstein and his wife, Princess Astrid, coming together to support the event’s two chosen beneficiaries.    

Held in the Crystal Globe Room of the Ineos Club House on 24th February, it was an evening filled with great food and music.  

Before dinner, the attendees were treated to a concert by three extraordinary young musicians: 17-year-old Monegasque piano virtuoso Stella Almondo, French-South Korean violin prodigy Léo Couralet and France’s Gabriel Guignier, who has been playing cello since the age of five and is a student of Paris’ prestigious Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse. 

Monegasque piano virtuoso Stella Almondo performed at the prestigious event. Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

The highlight of the night was, no doubt, the exceptional auction that was headed up by auctioneer Olivier Valmier and French artist Richard Orlinski. The lots included spectacular works of art, exclusive culinary and touristic experiences, rare wines and sport merchandise signed by world famous athletes as well as a beautiful photograph of Princess Charlene. 

A glamourous black and white photograph of Princess Charlene was one of the coveted lots presented for sale during the auction. Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

All of the proceeds from the sales will go towards programmes put on by the Princess Charlene Foundation, the primary focus of which is water safety and drowning prevention, and the Club des Sports Courchevel’s kids club.  

 

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All photo credits: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

2023 was Monaco’s second hottest year on record

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/02/2024

2023, a year characterised by long-lasting heat waves, high temperatures and average monthly rainfall levels well below their normal zones, was one of the hottest 12 months on record in Monaco. 

This revelation, which has been confirmed by statistics published in IMSEE’s annual meteorological report, likely won’t come as a surprise to anyone living in and around the Principality.

According to the localised weather review, which was published in late February, two “distinct meteorological phenomena” punctuated a near record-setting year: high heat that preceded and continued well beyond the usual summer season and rainfall totals that were significantly below average for the third year in a row.  

THE HEAT IS ON 

Since the 1970s, average temperatures in Monaco have been steadily climbing.  

The average maximum between 1971 and 1980 was just under 18.7°C, but by 2023 had shot up to 20.6°C. Indeed, the average overall temperature last year was a balmy 18°C.  

During the hottest day of last year, the mercury climbed to 34.9°C, which is just shy of the record set in 2022: 35.1°C.  

At the other end of the scale, 2023’s absolute minimum was 4.6°C. Unlike pre-2020, when negative temperatures were normal winter occurrences, temperatures haven’t fallen below 0°C in the last five years, according to the data collected by Monaco’s principal weather station in the Jardin Exotique.  

HERE COMES THE SUN 

There were an average 7.3 hours of sunshine per day in 2023. July was sunniest and clocked 326 hours, while December noted the least, with 130. Overall, there was just 0.3% difference between 2023 and 2022, the equivalent of a mere nine hours.  

Precipitation levels were alarming low, with only 436mm of rain recorded throughout the entire year, compared to Monaco’s annual average of 794mm.

There were 46 rainy days in total, a full 17 days less than normal. Oddly, the rainiest day came in August, when 47.3mm fell in a single day. Overall, October was the wettest month of last year, racking up 90mm, while February came bottom of the list with a shocking 0mm.  

After record lows in 2001 and then again in 2007, 2023 has the dubious honour of being among the three driest years on record in the Principality.  

To read the full report for yourself, click here.  

 

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Photo source: Antoine Contenseau, Unsplash