The Monaco government has released a new guide for civil servants and contract workers outlining procedures for reporting harassment, sexual misconduct, and workplace violence.
Titled Harcèlement et violence au travail, the document sets out what constitutes inappropriate behaviour and how public employees can report incidents through existing administrative channels. It also explains the rights of those involved, whether victims, witnesses, or the accused.
The guide was developed by the General Inspectorate of Administration, the Directorate of Human Resources and Public Service Training, and the Directorate of Legal Affairs. It follows the 2017 legislation on workplace protection and is intended as a reference for staff within all levels of public administration.
It also includes practical details on reporting mechanisms and clarifies the role of managers in addressing complaints. The publication points to collective responsibility across government departments in identifying and handling workplace misconduct.
The guide is available on the government’s intranet, the Mon Service Public portal, and can be downloaded via QR code on mobile devices.
The Butterfly Ball returns to the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo this 21st October, promising one of the most talked-about nights of the season—and a landmark moment for the charity it celebrates. This year marks the 10th edition of the gala in Monaco and the 25th anniversary of Caudwell Children, the UK-based foundation behind it.
At the creative helm for this milestone year is Billy Folchetti, the founder of luxury event firm Luxe x and a name well-known in international circles for designing high-end weddings and private gatherings for the ultra-wealthy. In his role as guest creative director, Folchetti is tasked not only with orchestrating the look and feel of the event, but also with making sure the night leaves a lasting emotional impression.
“I’ve never felt so anxious and so glitzy at the same time”
Folchetti has built a reputation on discretion, thoughtful design, and curating events that feel less like showcases and more like intimate, high-touch experiences. Yet even with more than 250 events under his belt, Monaco’s Butterfly Ball carries a different weight.
“My mum worked for years with mentally disabled children,” he says. “So in a way, this feels full circle—like I’m helping a child out there get someone like my mum in their life.”
The 2025 edition of the Butterfly Ball will include familiar elements—fine dining, live entertainment, and an auction to raise funds for Caudwell Children’s programmes—but also several new features designed to surprise even the gala’s most seasoned regulars.
“We’re planning an immersive entrance experience that’s going to highlight the charity’s impact in a visceral way,” Folchetti says, choosing his words carefully. “If it all comes together, I think people are going to feel that shift the moment they walk into the room.”
Discretion, design, and doing things differently
Folchetti is known for a phrase he often repeats to clients: “Discretion is the new luxury.” At first glance, it might seem at odds with Monaco’s reputation for visible wealth. But for the people behind these kinds of events—and the people attending them—it resonates.
“You don’t have to be covered in logos to signal luxury,” he says. “My clients, even the billionaires, aren’t looking to show off. They want something curated, something that feels like them.”
He describes this year’s Butterfly Ball design as “sculptural, minimal, and edited”, a deliberate shift from the over-the-top florals and maximalism that once defined the gala scene. “Would you rather spend €100,000 on flowers, or on something that actually moves people to give?” he asks. “We chose the latter.”
That restraint extends to the team. Folchetti has leaned heavily on long-standing relationships and pro bono creative partnerships to bring the event to life without inflating costs. “Some of the most talented people I’ve worked with are offering their time for free this year,” he says. “Because they care about what this charity does.”
“You’re not just planning an event. You’re managing expectations, emotions, sometimes breakdowns.”
Pulling off a gala of this scale in Monaco requires coordination across dozens of moving parts. Folchetti estimates that more than 100 people are involved behind the scenes, from lighting technicians and AV specialists to hosts, musicians and service staff.
He’s quick to remind guests that what they’ll see on the night is the result of months of planning—beginning long before the summer, after Caudwell Children’s flagship London ball. Since June, Folchetti has made multiple site visits to the Salle Empire at the Hôtel de Paris, working with vendors and finalising everything from seating charts to sensory details.
“There’s a romantic illusion that events like this happen effortlessly,” he says. “But believe me, they don’t.”
His role often extends far beyond logistics. “You’re a designer, but also a therapist, a mediator. You’re managing strong personalities and massive expectations.”
He recalls one wedding where a landslide occurred near the venue mid-ceremony, and another where the bride and groom nearly called it off—only to go through with it and then divorce shortly after. “It’s not all champagne and fireworks,” he says, laughing.
A changing definition of luxury
As someone who works across Europe’s most exclusive destinations—from Lake Como to Capri to the Côte d’Azur—Folchetti sees Monaco as unique.
“There’s a concentration of design, wealth, and culture here that you don’t find anywhere else,” he says. “But there’s also a growing shift—especially among younger generations—away from excess and toward meaning.”
It’s a shift that’s influencing everything from gala planning to wedding aesthetics. “People are no longer impressed by flash for flash’s sake,” he says. “They want to feel something. They want to walk away changed.”
That emotional currency is exactly what Folchetti is hoping to deliver at this year’s Butterfly Ball.
“My advice to guests is simple: leave everything else at the door. Be present. The charity we’re supporting is remarkable. For one night, focus on that.”
As for what guests can expect on the night, Folchetti remains tight-lipped. But he promises this year’s event will be “a celebration of hope, legacy, and genuine giving”.
Monaco’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai came to a close this week, with organisers confirming that the national pavilion welcomed nearly 1.5 million visitors over the course of the six-month event.
The Monaco Pavilion, located on Osaka’s artificial island of Yumeshima, accounted for just over 5% of total Expo attendance, which reached around 28 million people.
The structure was inaugurated in April by Prince Albert II and operated by a 50-person team from Monaco and Japan. It was overseen by Commissioner General Mireille Martini, with Corinne Corradi as director and Kristina Djordjevic as deputy commissioner.
Designed to promote environmental awareness and cultural dialogue, the pavilion focused on themes of sustainability and international cooperation. It also served as a platform for showcasing Monaco’s diplomatic ties with Japan, which have been steadily growing in recent years.
At the closing ceremony, Prince Albert joined Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama to formally present the pavilion’s central olive tree to the host city. The tree, which featured prominently in the Monaco exhibit as a symbol of peace and resilience, will remain in Osaka as a permanent gift.
This year’s event marked Monaco’s continued presence at World Expositions, following its previous participation in Dubai and Milan. Officials described the pavilion as both a space for reflection and a cultural bridge between the Principality and Japan.
While no announcement has yet been made about Monaco’s involvement in future expos, the government has indicated that such events remain an important part of its international outreach.
Prince Albert II spoke of the urgency of phasing out combustion engine vehicles during his visit to Ever Monaco on Wednesday, warning that recent progress should not lead to satisfaction or caution.
Speaking at the closing of the afternoon’s conference on future energy and vehicles at One Monte-Carlo, the Prince highlighted Monaco’s achievements while stressing the need for continued efforts.
The Prince noted that electric and hybrid vehicles now represent 20% of Monaco’s vehicle fleet, up from 2% a decade ago. “These figures demonstrate massive change, but it is still insufficient,” he said. “That’s why we must go even further and faster to drastically reduce the number of thermal vehicles.”
He also criticised moves by some states and regional organisations to delay the end of combustion engine production. “We must mobilise to make the case for maintaining, or even accelerating, the timetables,” he said. “We must make it clear that our collective future is at stake, because the transport sector accounts for around a third of greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming.”
Prince Albert II during this speech at Ever Monaco, photo by Monaco Life
Twenty years of progress
Reflecting on Ever Monaco’s two-decade history, the Prince described how electric mobility has shifted from utopia to reality. “The story of clean mobility was a utopia carried by a few adventurous minds. It is now proven reality on every continent, with every manufacturer,” he said.
He pointed to Monaco’s early adoption of policies to encourage non-polluting mobility, including financial incentives, dedicated sporting events like the Riviera Electric Challenge, and expanded charging infrastructure in car parks and public spaces.
“We have taken several early and quite bold steps to encourage the development of non-polluting mobility, facilitate its expansion and of course support users,” the Prince said.
However, Prince Albert II highlighted that the mobility transition involves more than simply replacing old technology with new. “Like all major changes, the evolution of mobility does not simply substitute a new technology for an old one,” he said. “It triggers chain reactions that are opportunities to bring new solutions to light and in turn spark further innovation.”
He outlined three key parameters shaping mobility’s future: technical advances demonstrated at events like Ever Monaco, regulatory frameworks needed to pursue climate preservation, and changing lifestyles linked to digital solutions.
Following his speech, he toured the exhibition stands at One Monte-Carlo, speaking with representatives from participating companies and organisations.
Lastly, the Prince visited stands including Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles, Monaco Bus Company, SMEG, and start-ups such as Green One and Skwheel, amongst others. He spent time at each stand engaging with representatives about their sustainable mobility solutions.
