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Month: June 2024

Prince Albert II joins Emmanuel Macron and King Charles III at D-Day commemorations

by: Elsa Carpenter
07/06/2024

Prince Albert II has proudly represented the Principality of Monaco at the 80-year commemorations of the historic D-Day landings in Normandy, which united more than 2,000 guests, including world leaders and WWII military veterans, at a moving ceremony on Omaha Beach.  

On Thursday 6th June, the 80th anniversary of the Allied Forces’ landings on the beaches of Normandy, Prince Albert joined dozens of other heads of state and government leaders from around the world in commemorating the valiant efforts of the soldiers who fought together for freedom in 1944.  

Operation Neptune, often referred to as D-Day, has gone down in history as the largest ever seaborne invasion. The success of the landings and the subsequent Battle of Normandy, also known as Operation Overlord, marked the start of the liberation of France and the Allied victory on the Western Front.  

Nearly 160,000 troops landed on five beaches in Normandy on Tuesday 6th June 1944, some of whom are still alive today and were able to attend the 80th anniversary commemorations. 

See more: Prince Albert II commemorates 80th anniversary of Normandy’s D-Day landings

In the morning, Prince Albert attended the official British ceremony in Ver-sur-Mer alongside King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William of the United Kingdom, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, 20 WWII British military veterans and family members of soldiers who lost their lives in the Normandy campaign.  

In the afternoon, Prince Albert again represented the Principality of Monaco, this time at the international ceremony on Omaha Beach, one of the five famous landing sites. The event was presided over by Macron and was attended by dozens of heads of state and government leaders, including President of the United States of America Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Prince Albert II of Monaco joined the UK’s Prince William, France’s Emmanuel Macron, the USA’s Joe Biden and Canada’s Justin Trudeau on the front row of the commemorations. Photo credit: Michael Alési / Palais Princier de Monaco

In comments shared by representatives for the Palais Princier de Monaco following the ceremony, Prince Albert expressed his wish “for this anniversary to have a special significance this year… by highlighting the decisive contribution of the American army”. 

Later this year, Monaco will commemorate the 80th anniversary of its own liberation following successive Italian and German occupations during WWII. 

On Tuesday 3rd September, a military ceremony will be held at the monument dedicated to those who died during the global conflicts of the 20th century in the Monaco cemetery. Prince Albert is expected to make a speech in the presence of military delegations from Monaco, France and the USA. 

Click on the images below to see more:

 

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Photo credits: Michael Alési / Palais Princier de Monaco 

Top Marques Monaco 2024 kicks off with record number of debuts

by: Niki Borisova
06/06/2024

The luxury car show Top Marques Monaco is officially underway, and this year’s edition has some exciting new features including 11 supercar debuts and one of the first presentations of the Tesla Cybertruck in France.

The 19th edition of Top Marques Monaco features new models from major brands such as Aston Martin, Audi, McLaren, and Porsche, while also showcasing classic cars, motorbikes, and yachts. Another new addition to this year’s Top Marques is an extensive creative area.

“For the first time in 19 years, we have an unprecedented number of launches. This makes Top Marques an unmissable event in the automotive world,” said Emeric Garcia, Director of Top Marques Monaco.

The show delivers a diverse lineup divided into classic and supercar halls, a superboat section, an area for watches and jewellery, an automotive art gallery, and a Ferrari auction in collaboration with MonacoCarAuctions.

Nine supercars are making their first public debut at this year’s Top Marques, and another two are making their Monaco debut. The famous Tesla Cybertruck is also featured at the entrance to the event, and visitors can admire it on 5th and 6th June.

See more: Prince Albert II takes Tesla’s new Cybertruck on first European test drive

Some key launches at this year’s edition include the Aston Martin New Vantage V8, the Audi RS6 GT Avant, the McLaren Artura Spider, and the Porsche Macan Electric.

Cauchi Design Lamborghini

In innovation, brands like China’s BYD, Venturi, and Audi display green technology and future transport solutions. Notably, Audi is displaying its 100% electric Audi S1 Hoonitron, developed for American drifter Ken Block.

The vintage car section features over 60 sports cars from the 20th century, including iconic models from Ferrari and Mercedes and contributions from multiple classic car specialists. A highlight is the display of a rare ‘Flèche d’Argent’, a 1937 Mercedes built by the National Auto Museum of Mulhouse.

Classic Car hall at Top Marques Monaco 2024

Another highlight of the classic car section is the 1990 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 Nomad from the Boutsen Classic Cars collection, which features a dozen classic cars at their Top Marques stand.

See more: Interview: Thierry Boutsen shares his secrets to success in the aviation and classic car industries

Top Marques Monaco 2024 will also host the second edition of the ‘L’Astarossa’ 100% Ferrari auction on the 8th of June.

Additionally, the show will conduct the second edition of the Carspotters Awards and an art competition for children to design the event’s first official mascot.

Top Marques Monaco is on from 6th to 9th June.

See more in our Instagram video below…

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Photos credit: Monaco Life

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Government latest: Educational grants, support for island states and international diplomacy

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/06/2024

Here’s a round-up of all the latest news from the Monaco Government, from the activation of the study grant application process to overseas events and international conferences. 

First up is an announcement by Monaco’s Department of Education, Youth and Sport that the application process is now open for those hoping to obtain university study or social improvement grants for the 2024/25 year. 

Applications must be received by the Department by 2pm on 27th September for study grants and prior to the start of a course in the case of a social improvement-related request. Full details on eligibility requirements can be found here.

Monaco pledges support

At the end of May, Gabriel Revel, Monaco’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, and Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, met to sign an agreement regarding the Principality’s voluntary contributions to four specific projects and missions: a programme combatting violence against women and domestic violence in Morocco and Tunisia; the Council of Europe Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum in Europe 2021-2025; the Fund for the Convention for the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention; and assisting in reducing the backlog of well-founded cases at the European Court of Human Rights.    

See more: Monaco makes voluntary contribution to Council of Europe

Also occurring at the end of May was the United Nations’ Small Island Developing States conference, which was attended by Isabelle Picco, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations.  

Held in Antigua and Barbuda, Picco used the overseas trip to reaffirm the Principality’s “support for the sustainable development of small island developing States, which are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks and the effects of climate change”. 

She also spoke about the potential of the Blue Economy and praised the vital role of the so-called Small Island Developing States in protecting the oceans and marine biodiversity. 

Bonn Climate Change conference

A delegation from Monaco, composed of representatives from the Directorate of the Environment and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, is currently attending the Bonn Climate Change conference, which is being held in the German city between 3rd and 13th June.

A Monaco Government delegation is currently attending the Bonn Climate Change Conference in West Germany. Photo source: Monaco Communications Department

According to government representatives, “The main issue this year is defining a new financing goal to support developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The development of rules regarding market mechanisms (carbon offset) under the Paris Agreement will also be at the heart of the discussions. The results of the negotiations will be forwarded to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan at the end of the year for the adoption of official decisions by the States.”

Hungarian visit

On 4th June, Monaco received a special visit from Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó (fourth from left in main photo). His trip to the Principality coincided with the inauguration of the new Consulate of Hungary in Monaco, which was formally opened in the presence of José Luis Delso Martinez-Trevijano, the Honorary Consul of Hungary in Monaco. 

Szijjártó was also invited to meet Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Palais Princier and had an interview with the Principality’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, during which the two reviewed cooperation efforts between the two states.  

The Hungarian minister concluded his visit by co-hosting a conference organised by the Monaco Economic Board entitled ‘Business Destination: Hungary’. 

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Main photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco

Climate and humanitarian productions earn special recognition at Monte-Carlo Television Festival

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/06/2024

The Monte-Carlo Television Festival will this year honour three environmental and humanitarian productions and the teams behind them – Mines of Death, How Extreme Will The Weather Be, Sven Plöger? and The Law of the Sea – for their roles in raising public awareness on important topics that don’t always get the attention they deserve.  

At the 2024 Monte-Carlo Television Festival (MCTF), which will be held at the Grimaldi Forum between 14th and 18th June, three individual projects will gain special recognition for their efforts in bringing to light issues that are all too often overlooked.  

Award winners

Mines of Death, a documentary by journalist Håkan Enmark and filmmaker Daniel Gökinan for TV4 Sweden, tracks the lives of Emil and his family, who are living and working in the mines of Congo-Kinshasa. The documentary shares their struggles and suffering, from child-labour abuses to violence and poisoned drinking water. The hard-hitting show reveals how the Swedish government may be complicit in these horrors by sending US$200 million to the region, forcing these desperate people to carry on working in dangerous conditions. 

It has won the MCTF’s AMADE Prize, an accolade that rewards television programmes linked to the charity’s core values: protecting the most vulnerable children from violence, exploitation and abuse; increasing access to education; and increasing access to health services. 

See more: Aaron Gekoski’s ‘See No Evil’ wins the FPA2’s 2024 Environmental Photography Award

The Rainer III Special Prize, the winner of which is traditionally chosen by the MCTF’s Honorary President, Prince Albert II, and is awarded in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, will this year go How Extreme Will The Weather Be, Sven Plöger?  

The documentary stars renowned German meteorologist Sven Plöger, who travels to Panama to highlight the direct – and dire – effects of El Niño on global weather, as well as provide more positive glimpses into how future techniques may help stop the worst effects of climate change. The film was produced by Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion GmbH. By virtue of the Rainier III Special Prize, the production team has also won €10,000.  

The Monaco Red Cross Special Prize has been awarded to The Law of the Sea, a narrative based on the true story of the Spanish fishing vessel Francisco y Catalina, which in 2006 hit the news as the first European boat to rescue 51 sub-Saharan migrants from the Mediterranean Sea. This event started a chain-reaction of events that led to European legislation changing with regards to nations’ responsibilities to migrants.  

The awards will be presented on 18th June at the MCTF’s closing ceremony. Princess Charlene of Monaco is expected to attend the event.   

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Photo of La Ley del Mare / The Law of the Sea

Photos: Prince Albert II commemorates 80th anniversary of Normandy’s D-Day landings

by: Elsa Carpenter
06/06/2024

To mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Monaco’s Prince Albert II has travelled to the north of France to meet with WWII military veterans, visit the Mémorial de Caen and witness a parade in Sainte-Mère-Eglise, one of the first villages to be liberated by the Allied Forces during the Battle of Normandy.  

Over the course of Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th June, Prince Albert has paid homage to those who fought and those who lost their lives during the D-Day landings in 1944. 

As it is the 80th anniversary of Operation Neptune, which has gone down in history as the biggest seaborne invasion of all time, Prince Albert’s well-timed visit afforded him the opportunity to meet with military veterans from the US who served in the Battle of Normandy on his first day in the region.  

This treasured encounter took place at the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Eglise, one of the first villages liberated by the Allies following the Normandy landings, following a parade through its streets. 

See more: Prince Albert II follows his great-grandfather’s footsteps in Cantabria

Monaco’s Prince also visited the Mémorial de Caen’s ‘The Dawn of the American Century 1919 – 1944′ exhibition, which will be open to the public until January 2025, and Camp Geronimo, a reconstruction of a World War II military camp. 

There was time allowed for a little fun too, and the adventurous Prince Albert seemed overjoyed to have the opportunity to take to the skies in a Piper Cub, a single-engine light aircraft designed in the 1930s, and explore some of the region’s most significant memorial sites from above.  

Prince Albert climbed aboard a Piper Cub from the 1930s for an aerial tour of Normandy’s memorial sites. Photo credit: Michael Alési / Palais Princier de Monaco

He also paid a visit to MoHo, a next-generation collaborative concept in Caen that unites students, entrepreneurs, business leaders, researchers, scientists and artists under one roof, providing them with a safe space to “collectively address contemporary world issues”.  

On Thursday 6th June, 80 years on from the landings, Prince Albert will attend both the official British ceremony marking the anniversary of the event and the international celebration on Omaha Beach. 

To see more photographs from Prince Albert’s Normandy trip, click on the images below:

 

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Photo credits: Michael Alési / Palais Princier de Monaco

’30 Years of Idols & Champions’: Artcurial to auction Stars’n’Bars memorabilia

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/06/2024

Among the many treasures going under the gavel at Artcurial’s Monaco Auction Week event in July is a collection of sports memorabilia that was once on display at the legendary Port Hercule institution of Stars’n’Bars. 

When Stars’n’Bars closed its doors for the last time in January 2023, it was something of an end of an era for Monaco’s social scene.  

Now, however, fans of the iconic address on the Quai des Artistes stand the chance of owning a piece of local history as more than 200 items of sporting and entertainment memorabilia collected by the bar’s founders, the late Kate Powers and Didier Rubiolo, over the course of three decades will be going up for auction in Monaco this July. 

During its years of service, Stars’n’Bars welcomed a host of celebrities, many of whom were generous enough to leave behind tokens of their visits.  

The eatery, in turn, framed them and gave the items pride of place on the walls of Stars’n’Bars for everyone to admire and enjoy.  

Instead of sitting in a storage locker somewhere – Stars’n’Bars was renovated over the course of 2023 to become an entirely different type of venue – many of those treasured pieces have found their way to Artcurial’s curators, who will be auctioning them off at the ’30 Years of Idols & Champions’ sale on 8th July. 

Among the items listed are: a jersey from cyclist Miguel Induráin that is estimated to go for €1,000 to €2,000; motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi’s helmet, which could sell for €2,000 to €3,000; a Formula 1 pilot suit worn by Tom Kristensen, which is expected to fetch between €4,000 and €6,000; and a guitar from Italian pop star Eros Ramazzotti, thought to be worth €800 to €1,200.  

To be part of the 30 Years of Idols & Champions event, head to the Hotel Hermitage on 8th July at 2pm. For more information on the sale, click here. 

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Main photo via Artcurial