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Month: February 2026

Hidden Grimaldi dynasty frescoes to be revealed to international scholars

by: Cassandra Tanti
10/02/2026

Remarkable Renaissance frescoes hidden for centuries beneath the ceilings of Monaco’s Prince’s Palace will be unveiled to international scholars and the public during a three-day conference from 19th to 21st March, marking the culmination of a decade-long restoration project.

What began in 2013 as straightforward decorative maintenance evolved into an extraordinary archaeological discovery when restoration teams uncovered a complete ensemble of late Renaissance frescoes across the palace ceilings. The works compose a monumental visual allegory of Grimaldi family history from the 16th century onwards, previously unknown and hidden from view for generations.

Prince Albert II will officially open the conference, titled ‘Images of a Renaissance Sovereignty: Ten Years of Discoveries and Restoration’, which brings together art historians, restorers, scientists and heritage specialists from across Europe. The event is free to attend but requires reservation, with simultaneous translation in French, English and Italian.

Photo credit: Sarah Steck, Prince’s Palace

Three days exploring hidden masterpieces

The conference runs across three days at the Oceanographic Museum, ending with guided tours of the restored frescoes at the Prince’s Palace on the final day.

Thursday 19th March explores how the Grimaldi dynasty established itself over three centuries, including how the palace evolved from medieval fortress to Renaissance showpiece, nearly fell into ruin, then was brought back to life in the 19th century. The afternoon looks at the close ties between Genoa and Monaco in the 1500s, with new discoveries from the archives and comparisons with similar Genoese palaces.

Friday 20th March focuses on how the restoration actually happened – the techniques used to create the original frescoes, the challenges of touching them up without damaging them, and what restorers learned from similar projects in Rome and Pisa. Technical sessions show how laser cleaning works, how to protect historic facades, and how to develop environmentally friendly restoration materials. The day ends with hands-on workshops demonstrating watercolour preparation and restoration techniques.

Public access to restored palace

Saturday 21st March offers guided tours of the restored frescoes at the Prince’s Palace from 10am to 12:30pm, allowing the public to see firsthand the treasures that have emerged from a decade of work.

All reservations can be made at visitepalaisdemonaco.com/colloquefresques, by phone at +377 97 97 23 80, or by email at colloquefresques@mci.mc.

See also: 

Forgotten Renaissance frescoes uncovered in the Prince’s Palace

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Main photo: Frescoes restored in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace, credit: Mael Voyer Gadin, Prince’s Palace

Charles Leclerc’s Pokémon Super Bowl ad goes viral with Arcanine reveal

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/02/2026

One of Super Bowl LX’s most unexpected moments came not from the game itself, but from a commercial celebrating 30 years of Pokémon that featured Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc alongside pop culture icons in a viral advertisement that exploded across social media.

Aired during one of the year’s most-watched advertising slots, the Pokémon commercial titled ‘What’s Your Favourite?’ features international celebrities sharing their beloved Pokémon in a nostalgic and playful atmosphere.

The star-studded lineup includes Lady Gaga discussing her love for Jigglypuff and its vocal range, Trevor Noah talking about Psyduck, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and footballer Lamine Yamal. But Leclerc’s appearance created the biggest surprise for internet users.

In the advertisement, the Formula 1 driver enthusiastically explains why he appreciates Arcanine for its legendary speed and unwavering loyalty – values that resonate with motorsport fans. The angle created immediate buzz as F1 enthusiasts and the Pokémon community rushed to watch the video after its publication on the official Pokémon YouTube channel.

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In photos: Monte Carlo Rally Historique 2026

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
09/02/2026

The 28th Monte Carlo Rally Historique concluded with high drama as 244 crews navigated the challenging but legendary alpine routes under a new format featuring closed roads for the first time.

From six starting points across Europe including JohnO’Groats in Scotland, Bad Homburg in Germany, Barcelona, Turin, Reims, and the Principality itself, the historic rally cars converged on Valence before tackling the competitive stages.

Notable competitors included 1988 Monte Caro Rally winner Bruno Saby in a Renault 5 Turbo, former Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato, and defending champions Michel Decremer and Jennifer Hugo.

Turini decides victory

The rally’s fate was sealed on the Col de Turini as Spanish crew Climent Asensio and Jimenez Valls, sitting fourth overall with just two stages remaining, stormed through the night stage to claim an unlikely victory in their 1981 BMW 323i.

After completing the final mountain stages on 7th February, the crews returned to Monaco for the official finish at 12:25am, with the awards ceremony held later that evening at the Monte-Carlo Sporting.

“We are over the moon,” said Climent Asensio. “This year, second place was not an option.”

The victory marked redemption for the Spanish pair, who finished runners-up in the 2025 driving the same car.

Of the 244 starters, 204 crews were classified at the finish. French crew Ludovic De Luca and Sébastien Chol finished second overall in a Peugeot 104 ZS, with Monaco’s Olivier and Lydia Campana claiming third in their Volkswagen Golf GTI, marking their first podium on the historic event.

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All photos credit: Richard McCreery

Prince Albert II honours medal winners at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
09/02/2026

The 25th Winter Olympics opened on Friday 6th February with a ceremony at Milan’s San Siro Stadium accompanied by multiple festivities at venues across the Italian Alps in Cortina, Predazzo and Livigno, marking the start of more than two weeks of competition featuring 92 nations and nearly 3,000 athletes.

Earlier in the day and before the main ceremony kicked off, Prince Albert II attended a reception of heads of state at the Palazzo Reale in Milan, hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella alongside Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

At the reception, photo credit: Quirinale

Then in the afternoon, the opening ceremony took place at Milan’s packed San Siro Stadium with the spectacular parade of nations.

However, the evening saw an unusual moment when Monaco’s flag was carried not by an athlete but by a lucky Olympic volunteer, as the principality’s sole competitor, alpine skier Arnaud Alessandria, had opted to rest ahead of his race the following morning. The ceremony traditionally concluded with the lighting of the Olympic flame, officially opening the Games.

Prince Albert presenting the Olympic medals

Competition began the following day with the men’s downhill on Bormio’s challenging Stelvio piste and the men’s snowboard big air at Livigno’s snow park. Prince Albert II later had the honour of presenting the medals at the awards ceremonies.

Prince Albert at the awards ceremony, photo credit: Christian Petersen / Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

In the downhill, Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen claimed gold ahead of two Italian skiers, Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris, who took silver and bronze respectively in front of their home crowd.

Japan enjoyed a dominant performance in the men’s snowboard big air, with Kira Kimura winning gold and Ryoma Kimata securing silver. China’s Su Yiming rounded out the podium with bronze.

Prince Albert presenting the awards at the men’s snowboard big air category, photo credit: Christian Petersen / Cameron Spencer / Getty Images, courtesy of Monaco Olympics Committee

Pride in Monaco’s representative

Speaking after Alessandria’s 31st place finish in the downhill, Prince Albert expressed his pride in the Monegasque skier’s achievement.

“Arnaud delivered a fine descent,” he said. “Obviously, he is a little disappointed – with very good conditions on Saturday, he would have liked to be able to express himself more on this piste. But we must also remember where he was six months ago. He was in full recovery after major surgery, with two operations for herniated discs. He probably still lacks a bit of competition, but to return to this level under these conditions is remarkable. I am very proud of what he has accomplished and very happy to see him rediscover these emotions and these Olympic joys.”

Prince Albert with Arnaud Alessandria, photo credit: Stéphan Maggi/ Comité Olympique Monégasque

The Prince’s perspective comes from personal experience. As a veteran of five Winter Olympics in bobsleigh, he carried Monaco’s flag at the Opening Ceremonies in 1988, 1994, and 1998.

“Being flag bearer for one’s country, as I had the honour of being, is an absolute exceptional moment,” he said.

Now, looking ahead to Alessandria’s super-G race on Wednesday, the Prince remained optimistic. “This is very encouraging for the super-G on Wednesday,” he said. “I am convinced he can achieve a very good result.”

Supporting the Monegasque delegation

Prince Albert II’s presence at the Games carried particular significance for Monaco’s Olympic team. As President of the Monaco Olympic Committee, the Prince regularly travels to support the Principality’s athletes at major international competitions.

Prince Albert II with the Monaco Olympic Committee, photo credit: Stéphan Maggi / Comité olympique monégasque

Yvette Lambin Berti, Secretary General of the Monaco Olympic Committee, highlighted the importance of the Prince’s attendance at Bormio and also congratulated on her side Alessandria on his performance in the demanding downhill event.

The Winter Olympics continue now across the Italian venues until the Closing Ceremony on 22nd February

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Main photo credit: Christian Petersen / Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

Vacherot seals historic Davis Cup promotion as Monaco reaches World Group I

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/02/2026

Valentin Vacherot delivered the defining moment in Monaco’s Davis Cup history on Saturday, upsetting Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik to secure promotion to World Group I for the first time.

The 27-year-old produced a nerveless performance against world No. 10 Bublik, firing an ace out wide to close out a 7-6(4) 7-6(7) victory on his fifth match point before being engulfed by celebrating teammates. The result gave Monaco an unassailable 3-1 lead in the World Group I Play-off tie in Astana and confirmed their promotion to the competition’s second tier.

Vacherot’s win followed a dramatic doubles victory for Romain Arneodo and Hugo Nys, who defeated Bublik and Beibit Zhukayev 6-7(1) 7-6(6) 7-6(5) after the Kazakhs held two match points.

The triumph marks another milestone in Vacherot’s meteoric rise, arguably the standout story in men’s tennis in recent times. Monaco now accedes to World Group I, bringing the summit of the Davis Cup pyramid significantly closer.

See also:

Valentin Vacherot receives hero’s welcome at Monte-Carlo Country Club

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department 

Monaco pour l’Emploi: what employers today are really looking for in a candidate

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
09/02/2026

The Grimaldi Forum hosted the government’s fourth edition of Monaco pour L’Emploi on Friday, drawing thousands of candidates looking for employment in Monaco.

Monaco Life’s Kyriaki Topalidou talked to recruiters behind the polished stands from sectors as diverse as yachting, hospitality and private equity, and they shared a surprising consensus: the perfect candidate isn’t necessarily the one with the most impressive CV.

“For us, what is most important is the attitude,” said Aurélie Arent, co-founder of Athos Partners, a private equity firm attending the forum for the first time. “We believe anyone can always learn, but attitude is something that is more difficult to change.”

Her firm seeks analysts with top business school backgrounds and at least two years in strategic consulting or investment banking, yet she highlighted what matters most: “We love to see people who take ownership, who act as if they are working in their own company, and are proactive and thriving in what they do.”

The preparation problem

Multiple recruiters also identified the same critical mistake: candidates arriving without basic knowledge of the company they’re approaching.

Hugo Debast, recruiting for Hill Robinson’s yacht and villa operations in Antibes, was blunt about the issue. “A lot of candidates come here without a clear idea what they’re looking for,” he said. “I think it’s better to see less companies and approach them with a clear idea of what they are doing. Everybody has a phone in their pocket. They can Google what the company is before coming and asking, ‘What are you doing, and what is your job?'”

Hill Robinson’s stand, photo credit: Monaco Life.

Isabelle Walker from the Société des Bains de Mer, which operates Monaco’s luxury hotels and restaurants, shared the same view. “I think it’s important to know a little bit about our establishments, since we have many – and in many different sectors. So, the moment you show that you know the company, it’s already a very good sign.”

Transferrable skills trump narrow experience

For luxury sector employers, adaptability matters as much as expertise. Debast outlined what Hill Robinson seeks: transferable skills like IT capabilities, people skills, hospitality experience and languages, combined with the right mindset. “People must be passionate and ready to learn different things,” he said. “There is never a one-job-fits-all.”

The SBM is currently seeking cooks and kitchen staff for the seasonal period, but Walker stressed personality over credentials. “We’re looking for people who have personality and interpersonal skills. It’s important in our professions since we’re in excellence. So, someone who combines these two skills would be very welcome to join our team.”

Arent added that she values candidates who demonstrate high energy and think proactively. “I like people who already think as if they would be here and what they can do.”

Lastly, Walker’s advice was simple but important. “Above all, talk about yourself and make people want to work with you, because for us, the goal is to get to know people and to be able to work with them if the feeling is right.”

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Main photo credit: Monaco Life