Day: 8 September 2025

The summer holidays have drawn to a close and this Monday 8th September marked the official return to school for children across Monaco – including Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

The Princely Palace released new photographs of the twins on Monday morning as they set off for the start of the new academic year. With backpacks at the ready, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were pictured smiling before heading into class.

In a message accompanying the images, the Palace shared: “This Monday morning, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella returned to school. A new academic year full of discoveries, friendships, and adventures awaits them. The Princely Family wishes all students in the Principality a wonderful start to the school year.”

A later rentrée than France

While pupils in nearby Nice and across France’s “B Zone” returned to classrooms on 1st September, Monaco traditionally begins its school year a week later. The difference in timing reflects the Principality’s independent education calendar, which is closely aligned with France but adapted to local needs and traditions.

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Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

In a personal tribute, Princess Charlene of Monaco has shared her sorrow following the death of Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who not only changed the face of fashion but crafted her iconic wedding gown in 2011. Her message, issued alongside Prince Albert II, marks one of the most intimate royal reflections on the legacy of a man whose influence shaped not just catwalks, but cultural history.

In a heartfelt public statement on 4th September, Princess Charlene said, “It is with great sadness that the Prince and I have learnt of the death of Giorgio Armani. He was an emblematic figure in the fashion world and has created and shaped trends that have influenced generations. Amongst the variety of his works, was also my wedding dress in July 2011. His work and achievements will survive him and continue to be present in the future.”

The message was accompanied by a striking black-and-white image of the designer, captured by Patrick Demarchelier, highlighting the close and personal connection shared between the Princess and Armani. The wedding dress, a silk duchess creation with an off-the-shoulder neckline and over 40,000 Swarovski crystals, remains one of the most memorable couture pieces of the modern royal era.

Italy and the fashion world say goodbye

Armani passed away on 4th September at the age of 91, closing a chapter on a five-decade career that reshaped not only Italian fashion but global perceptions of elegance. In Milan, where his fashion empire was born, mourners gathered in silence at the Armani/Teatro to pay their respects as his coffin lay in state. White roses, flickering candles, and photographs from his illustrious runway shows formed a fitting tribute to a man whose name became synonymous with refinement.

To Milan, Armani was more than a designer. He was a cultural figure who helped redefine the city’s identity during the politically fraught 1970s and ’80s, turning it into a beacon of taste and sophistication. He also invested personally in the community, famously rescuing the Olimpia Milano basketball team, and supporting numerous sporting institutions under the EA7 brand.

Remembered by the greats

The response to Armani’s death has been a chorus of admiration from the worlds of fashion, film, and sport. Naomi Campbell remembered her early days in Milan, when a towering Armani billboard greeted her at the airport. Designers like Donatella Versace described him as one of the architects of modern Italian style, while actors and directors reflected on his role in cinema—from dressing Richard Gere in American Gigolo to outfitting entire casts in Hollywood blockbusters.

Armani’s minimalist aesthetic redefined red-carpet fashion and business attire alike. He stripped the formality from menswear, introduced power dressing to women, and built an empire that spanned haute couture, sportswear, interior design, and fragrance. Yet despite his reach, he remained famously reserved, preferring to let the clothes do the talking.

A legacy stitched into the fabric of modern style

From humble beginnings in Piacenza to becoming the face of Made in Italy across the globe, Giorgio Armani leaves behind a towering legacy. His creations spoke to a kind of elegance that resisted trends and transcended time, a vision now deeply woven into the identity of Italian fashion. His company, still privately owned, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on 28th September in Milan’s Palazzo Brera, a tribute that now carries added poignancy.

Princess Charlene’s words capture the sentiment of many who knew and admired him: a creator whose influence will continue to echo through future generations. As the fashion world mourns its king, Monaco joins the chorus of voices honouring a life lived in style, precision, and grace.

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Photo credit: Patrick Demarchelier