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Day: 22 January 2025

Emmanuel Macron to attend Monaco funeral of Didier Guillaume

by: Elsa Carpenter
22/01/2025

It has been confirmed that French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Monaco on Thursday 23rd January to attend the funeral of Didier Guillaume, the Principality’s late Minister of State and the former Minister of Agriculture in France, who passed away on Friday 17th January at the age of 65. Macron, who considered Guillaume a close friend, has postponed a planned visit to the Aisne and Thiérache regions to pay his respects to the “warm and wholehearted” public servant.

Following the death of Didier Guillaume earlier this month, there has been an outpouring of tributes to the French politician, who served as France’s Minister of Agriculture and Food from 2018 to 2020 under Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, during President Macron’s first term, before being appointed Minister of State in Monaco in September 2024.

On Thursday 23rd January, the Principality will observe a national day of mourning in honour of Guillaume’s significant contributions to Monaco and his legacy as a man dedicated to advancement and progress. His funeral will be held that day from 11am at the Monaco Cathedral in the presence of both Prince Albert II of Monaco and Macron, who will travel to the Principality to pay his respects to a colleague he also considered a friend.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media this week, the French President paid tribute to his former minister, saying, “Didier Guillaume is no more. Former minister, deeply rooted in the Drôme, a humanist in the Republic, his commitment to others was, like him, vibrant, warm and wholehearted. From Bourg-de-Péage to Monaco. My thoughts are with his family. I have lost a friend.”

Prince Albert II of Monaco has also expressed his deep sorrow at the sudden loss of Guillaume, describing him as an “exemplary servant of the Principality”.

See more: Remembering Didier Guillaume, a “remarkable statesman” who dedicated his life to meaningful change

Since Guillaume’s death, Monaco has paid tribute to the Frenchman by flying all flags at half-mast. His body is currently resting at the Chapelle de la Miséricorde in Monaco, where a chapel of rest has been set up to allow the public to pay their respects ahead of his funeral.

Following the ceremony, Guillaume’s body will be repatriated to the Drôme, where a tribute will be held on Saturday 25th January in Bourg-de-Péage before his burial in Claveyson, alongside his parents.

Prince Albert II has entrusted the interim leadership of the Monegasque government to Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, minister of foreign relations and cooperation, making her the first woman to hold the position of Minister of State in the Principality’s history.

Read related:

Monaco pays tribute to Didier Guillaume

 

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Photo via Emmanuel Macron, Facebook

Monaco to remain operational on day of mourning, with call for respectful attire

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/01/2025

Monaco will observe a national day of mourning on Thursday 23rd January, as the Principality bids farewell to former Minister of State Didier Guillaume. While public services, schools, and businesses will remain open, residents and workers are encouraged to wear dark clothing as a gesture of respect.

Prince Albert II decreed the day of mourning to coincide with the funeral of Didier Guillaume, honouring his significant contributions to Monaco during his tenure. Flags on public buildings will be flown at half-mast throughout the day, symbolising the collective grief of the nation.

Although the Principality will not pause its daily operations, this solemn observance allows everyone to participate in remembering the late statesman. Public employees and private citizens alike are invited to mark the occasion by dressing in muted tones to reflect the gravity of the moment.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Photo source: Government Communication Department

See also:

Remembering Didier Guillaume, a “remarkable statesman” who dedicated his life to meaningful change

 

 

Football: Monaco secure Champions League qualification in ‘Princely derby’

by: Luke Entwistle
22/01/2025
Singo heads home past Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez to give Monaco the lead at the Stade Louis II

A spirited AS Monaco earned their first victory of 2025, securing their progression in the Champions League in the process by beating Aston Villa (1-0) on Tuesday night.

Monaco headed into this game low on confidence having succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of bottom-placed Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Friday. Winless in 2025 and seeking their first win since 7th December 2024, Monaco headed into a tie against Aston Villa, who secured a draw against Premier League title challengers Arsenal over the weekend, as the undisputed underdog.

But you wouldn’t have been able to tell as Monaco took the first clear chance of the night in front of a packed Stade Louis II. Thilo Kehrer forced Emiliano Martinez, roundly booed by the Monaco faithful thanks to his antics in the World Cup final against France in 2022, into a parried save but Wilfried Singo, on his return from injury, followed it in and headed into the open net.

“They scored from a set-piece and then defended well afterwards,” said Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara post-match. The Premier League side’s chances were limited throughout. Radoslaw Majecki was forced into a strong save from Ollie Watkins before the break but other than that, the Polish goalkeeper went largely untested.

Aston Villa fan Prince William in attendance at the Stade Louis II

It was Monaco, in front not only of Prince Albert II but also Prince William, an Aston Villa fan, who looked more likely to score in this contest, a form of ‘Princely derby’ in the Principality. Maghnes Akliouche went close in the first half and should have done better with his wild effort on goal just before the break.

The France youth international, in front of France assistant coach Guy Stéphan, thought he had given Les Monégasques breathing space when he poked home a ball from Vanderson just after half-time, but he was adjudged to have been marginally offside.

Whilst it was Villa who chased the equaliser, it was a defiant Monaco who looked the more dangerous: Takumi Minamino spurned a big chance, Aleksandr Golovin was denied by a last-ditch Tyrone Mings tackle and a Breel Embolo bicycle kick fell into the grateful gloves of pantomime-villain Martinez.

However, it was Monaco, in perhaps their best defensive performance of the season, who secured the win, without ever coming under significant pressure. It is a significant win in Monaco’s season. Their place in the next round of the Champions League is now mathematically secured with one game to go, but perhaps even more importantly, there is a feeling that their season more generally is back on track.

Surpassing objectives on Monaco’s agenda

“It was an important win,” began Adi Hütter post-match. “I give my compliments and praise to my team for how they fought: their energy, their attitude, and also their determination to qualify, which was one of our big goals for the season.”

However, the job is not yet done. Heading to Milan to face Internazionale next week, there is still an outside chance of a top-eight finish, which would see Les Monégasques skip the play-off round.

Man-of-the-match Singo was unequivocal in asserting Monaco’s desire to obtain a positive result in Italy. “We have one match remaining which will be very difficult. We are going to go to Milan next week with a lot of ambition and to win,” said the Ivorian international.

A trip to Italy to conclude the Champions League ‘league phase’

Hütter added, “At the San Siro, against Inter, they will be a big opponent. They are in fantastic shape. We’ll go there with our best performance to see if we can win.”

As the Monaco manager points out, the objective set before the campaign of finishing inside the top 24 in the Champions League has now been “achieved” but although a place in the top eight remains out of their hands, the dream of achieving it remains alive as they head to the San Siro next Wednesday to conclude their ‘league phase’ campaign.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Photo source: AS Monaco