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Month: March 2026

Monaco United Women secure final four spot in Mediterranean Cup

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
03/03/2026

Monaco United Women pulled off a notable upset on Sunday, winning against FC Rousset to reach the Mediterranean Cup semi finals, despite competing two divisions below their opponents. 

The team kept a clean sheet for 90 minutes before edging through penalties, with goalkeeper Pauline Moitrel delivering an outstanding performance by producing two crucial stops as all Monaco United’s penalties found the net.

Playing away against a Division 3 side, Monaco United created several clear chances in the first half but were repeatedly denied by the Rousset goalkeeper.

“I think given the chances we created and how we controlled the match, we fully deserved this victory,” said coach Marco Simone. “But football is like that — when you don’t take your chances, matches inevitably become more complicated.”

Celebrating the victory after the game, photo credit: Monaco United

Penalties settled the match

When it came to penalties, Monaco United were composed throughout. Moitrel’s two saves proved decisive, and the result reflected what was a disciplined collective display against a considerably more experienced opponent.

Jade Prault, one of the key performers of the game, reflected on the achievement: “What a pleasure it is to win a match like this against teams that are stronger on paper,” she said. “In the first half we had several chances that unfortunately we didn’t manage to convert, but we stayed solid defensively all the way through, the penalties were taken brilliantly by each of the girls, and Pauline made the saves we needed. It’s fantastic to come away with a result like this.”

Monaco United will now host Division 4 side Hyères in the semi-finals on 5th April. But first, they travel to Mougins next Sunday in a league fixture, where victory would keep them top of the table.

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Main photo credit: Monaco United 

Macron orders nuclear warhead increase and unveils European Deterrence Strategy

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/03/2026

French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered an increase in France’s nuclear warhead stockpile and outlined an ambitious new “forward deterrence” strategy for Europe, delivering one of his most significant security addresses in years from a ballistic-missile submarine base in Brittany.

“I have ordered an increase in the number of nuclear warheads in our arsenal,” Macron told his audience at the north-western French base. In a notable departure from previous practice, he added that France would no longer publicly disclose the size of its nuclear arsenal.

The speech, which lasted 45 minutes, comes at a moment of heightened European anxiety, with Russia’s war in Ukraine ongoing and conflict continuing to escalate across the Middle East. French officials had stressed that the address was planned well in advance of recent developments.

Eight European partners on board

At the heart of Macron’s proposal is what he described as a “forward nuclear deterrence strategy,” which he was careful to frame as complementary to, rather than a replacement for, NATO’s existing structures. France, he said, could carry out “circumstantial deployments” of strategic capabilities linked to nuclear deterrence among European allies, beginning with joint exercises.

Eight countries have expressed interest in the programme: the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark. Under the arrangement, those nations would be able to host strategic air forces from the French Air Force, dispersed across the continent.

Shortly after the speech, Paris and Berlin issued a joint statement confirming a new high-ranking nuclear steering group between the two countries, with Germany set to participate in French nuclear exercises and joint visits to strategic sites.

Sovereignty remains non-negotiable

Despite the collaborative framing, Macron was unambiguous on the question of control. “There will be no sharing of the final decision,” he said, adding that assessments of France’s vital interests would remain exclusively sovereign. He also announced that Paris, London and Berlin would cooperate on very long-range missile development as part of the broader European Long Range Strike Approach launched in 2024, which also includes Italy, Poland and Sweden.

In a further announcement, Macron revealed that France’s next ballistic-missile submarine would be named Invincible and is expected to enter service in 2036.

France holds an estimated 290 nuclear warheads according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and remains the only nuclear power within the European Union — a fact that lends particular weight to any shift in its strategic posture. Globally, nine countries are known or believed to possess nuclear weapons: Russia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea.

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Photo credit: Stephen Cobb, Unsplash

The Australian couture brand behind Alexandra Leclerc’s wedding gown

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/03/2026

When Alexandra Leclerc married Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc in Monaco on Saturday, the dress she wore had been made not in Paris or Milan, but in a quiet atelier on the southern coast of Australia.

The gown was the work of Paolo Sebastian, the Australian couture house whose presence on the international fashion circuit has grown considerably since its founder, Paul Vasileff, showed his first collection at the age of 17. Vasileff launched the label in 2007 after studying locally before completing his training at Milan’s Istituto Europeo di Design, graduating with honours. He then made a decision that ran against the conventional wisdom of an industry that typically demands designers relocate to one of the major fashion capitals — he went home to South Australia, and built his house there.

For Alexandra’s wedding day, Vasileff created a French Chantilly lace fishtail gown with a scalloped neckline, three-dimensional floral and butterfly embellishments, and bespoke embroidered initials alongside the couple’s wedding date — a detail that places the piece firmly in the tradition of heirloom couture. The gown was paired with an elegant chignon and a bouquet of white flowers, the overall effect precise and quietly considered.

From Australia to the world’s biggest stages

Every Paolo Sebastian piece is handmade in Adelaide by Vasileff and a team of specialised seamstresses, with private consultations and fittings tailored to each individual client. The house’s signatures — intricate hand-embroidery, delicate French lace, elegant draping, and romantic silhouettes — have remained consistent even as its profile has expanded far beyond Australia. Collections are frequently inspired by fable and fairy tale, lending Paolo Sebastian a distinctly poetic sensibility that sits apart from much of mainstream couture.

In 2016, Vasileff brought the house to Paris for the first time, presenting private showings that marked the beginning of a sustained international push. Paolo Sebastian has since returned to Paris Haute Couture Week, debuted at Dubai Fashion Week as the first Australian couture house to show there, and built a following across multiple continents. On the red carpet, the label has been worn by Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Heidi Klum, and Anya Taylor-Joy, appearing at the Academy Awards, the Met Gala, and the Golden Globes.

 

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A post shared by Paolo Sebastian (@paolo_sebastian)

A designer with an early start

Vasileff was born in Adelaide in 1990 and learned to sew under the guidance of his grandmother, completing his first dress design for a childhood friend at the age of 11. He launched Paolo Sebastian at 17, and despite considerable pressure from within the industry to relocate abroad, chose to keep his atelier — and his team of local artisans — in South Australia. In 2017, he was named Young Australian of the Year and won Best Australian Evening Wear Designer at the Prix de Marie Claire Awards.

That a gown conceived and stitched together in Australia should find its way to the streets of Monaco for one of the most closely watched weddings in the principality’s recent memory is, by any measure, a significant moment for the country’s fashion industry.

For the bride, the verdict was simple. “My dream dress,” Alexandra wrote on Instagram — three words that said everything.

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See also:

Inside Charles Leclerc’s private Monaco wedding as couple release first images

Main photo source: @alexandramalenaleclerc on Instagram, photographers: @germanlarkin, @gregfinck

 

Inside Charles Leclerc’s private Monaco wedding as couple release first images

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/03/2026

Charles Leclerc and Alexandra Saint Mleux were married on Saturday in Monaco, exchanging vows during a civil ceremony held in the strictest privacy. The wedding took place at the Mairie de Monaco on the Rock, with only close friends and family in attendance.

True to the couple’s desire for discretion, news of the nuptials was kept under wraps until Monday afternoon, when Leclerc shared a series of vintage-style videos and photographs on Instagram. Another subtle confirmation came as Alexandra updated her social media name to Alexandra Malena Leclerc.

Leclerc also hinted that the celebrations are far from over, telling fans on Instagram that this was only “part 1”, adding that “part 2 will be next year with all of our close ones”.

A vintage Ferrari and timeless elegance

The newlyweds were filmed driving down from the Rock through Monaco’s streets in a rare Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, a nod to both heritage and glamour.

Alexandra wore a Paolo Sebastian couture gown for her wedding day. The Australia-based fashion house, known for its intricate bridal work, dressed the bride in a French Chantilly lace fishtail gown featuring a scalloped neckline and three-dimensional floral and butterfly embellishments. The piece was finished with bespoke embroidered initials and their wedding date — a personalised detail that placed the gown firmly in the realm of heirloom.

Charles, meanwhile, opted for a white and cream suit paired with a grey tie.

Their beloved dog, Leo — dressed in a tuxedo — was very much part of the celebration.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Charles Leclerc (@charles_leclerc)

Photos at Villa La Vigie

Following the ceremony, the couple moved to Villa La Vigie for their wedding photographs. The historic property, perched on the headland of Cap Martin just beyond Monaco’s eastern border, provided an appropriately grand backdrop for the occasion. Built at the turn of the twentieth century and once home to Karl Lagerfeld, the villa is one of the most distinguished private residences on the Riviera.

The marriage comes less than four months after an engagement that had been anything but understated. Leclerc’s candlelit proposal, complete with rose petals arranged in a heart shape and a striking diamond ring, drew an enthusiastic response online, including from members of Monaco’s Princely family, with whom the driver shares a close and well-documented bond.

Racing resumes in Melbourne

As for a honeymoon, it may be brief. The opening Grand Prix of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place in Melbourne in a matter of days, meaning Leclerc will be swapping wedding celebrations for the cockpit as the new season gets under way.

The high-profile nature of the wedding — coupled with the couple’s strict secrecy — prompted a wave of fabricated images and speculation across social media over the weekend. With their own posts now shared publicly, the newlyweds have put rumours to rest and officially confirmed their marriage.

Monaco Life wishes Charles and Alexandra every happiness for their future together.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Charles Leclerc (@charles_leclerc)

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Photo taken from Charles Leclerc instagram

Powher to spotlight sport and health for this year’s International Women’s Day

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
02/03/2026

Monaco’s Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights will host its annual Powher event on 6th March at the Espace LĂ©o FerrĂ©, ahead of International Women’s Day on 8th March.

For its eighth year, the event will focus on inequalities in sport and healthcare, tracing them through the different stages of a woman’s life.

Since its creation in 2018, the committee has run 15 awareness campaigns, supported seven laws passed by the Conseil National, published 14 studies through the IMSEE statistics institute, and trained 1,159 people in areas ranging from receiving victims of violence to preventing sexism in the workplace.

“The inequalities remain in these areas,” said CĂ©line Cottalorda, the Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights. “And that’s what we wanted to put in the spotlight this year, because these 8th of March events are also there to take into account, to understand, and to move these issues forward collectively.”

Visitors will be able to move through eight interactive workshops, each representing a life stage from childhood to old age, and also take part in a treasure hunt, collecting clues at each station to unlock access to a centrepiece installation on the main stage.

The event will open at 11am, with members of Monaco’s women’s football and rugby teams present, alongside club representatives.

During the press conference, photo credit: Monaco Life (From left to right, Corinne Lorenzi, Mr One Teas, Céline Cottalorda, Chloé Boscagli, and Aurelie Montet).

Mr One Teas artwork as the centrepiece

At the heart of the stage will be an original artwork by artist Anthony Alberti, better known as Mr One Teas. The piece takes the form of a finishing-line arch, through which visitors who complete the trail are invited to pass.

“The idea is that when we pass through the curtain together it means we will have covered a few more miles towards equality between women and men,” he said.

A photo exhibition by photographer Le Turk, featuring local sportswomen from six disciplines including judo, athletics, gymnastics, football, basketball and rugby will also be displayed throughout the venue.

The workshops will be run in partnership with the Mairie de Monaco, the CHPG hospital centre, and a number of local associations including Pink Ribbon, Zonta Club and the Red Cross.

The hospital will focus on medical conditions affecting women, such as endometriosis and cardiovascular disease, which are the leading causes of death among women worldwide, though frequently under-diagnosed.

Gender equality in sports

On the issue of sport, Cottalorda noted that inequalities begin early. “There are sports that still remain gendered, some aimed more at girls, others more at boys, when fundamentally nothing prevents a boy from doing dance or a girl from doing boxing or football.” She added that the gap in media coverage also has knock-on effects: “Less coverage means less sponsorship, and therefore lower salaries.”

She also pointed out to the broader picture. According to the United Nations, women currently hold just 64 per cent of the legal rights than men do worldwide. At the current rate of progress, the UN estimates it will take another 286 years to close the gap in legal protections. “The road is still very long,” Cottalorda said.

The Powher event runs from 11am to 5pm at the Espace Léo Ferré on 6th March. It is also set to close with a youth eloquence competition at the Conseil National from 6pm. Entry is free and open to all ages.

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Main photo credit: Monaco Life

Melting ice, fraying alliances: Monaco’s Polar Symposium brings polar world together to find answers

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
02/03/2026

Prince Albert II of Monaco closed last week’s Monaco Polar Symposium with a personal call to action, delivering a video address to scientists, policymakers and Indigenous representatives gathered at the Oceanographic Museum for three days of talks on the future of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Speaking to delegates, the Prince urged the international community to not waste this the moment. Cooperation on polar science, he said, must move beyond discussion and translate into real impact — and the countdown to the Fifth International Polar Year, due in 2032–33, had already begun. “Let us seize this momentum to deepen cooperation,” he said. “The fifth international polar year begins right now.”

Held from 25th to 27th February, the third edition of the biennial symposium brought together more than a hundred participants from the Arctic and Antarctic communities under the theme ‘Enabling the Legacy: Translating Polar Research into Action’.

The event mainly grappled with a harsh reality: scientific knowledge about the poles is moving fast, but turning it into policy and action is proving harder than ever.

During Friday’s plenary session, photo credit: Monaco Life

The Tara Ocean Foundation

Among those attending for the first time was Pierre Meinville, advocacy officer at the Tara Ocean Foundation, which is preparing to deploy a new scientific platform, the Tara Polar Station, in the central Arctic Ocean.

“The most important challenge, the main roadblock, is how international collaboration is deteriorating – not just in recent months, but over recent years,” Mienville told Monaco Life. “I’m strongly convinced that we need to keep on believing in it, keep on working on it, fostering participation with all Arctic states and non-Arctic states that are committed to Arctic protection.”

The Tara Polar Station, unlike conventional research vessels, is designed to drift freely through the Arctic for two years at a time, carrying scientists from around 40 laboratories across the world. Its missions are planned to continue for the next two decades.

Pierre Meinville, advocacy officer at the Tara Ocean Foundation. Photo credit: Monaco Life

“We’re going to be a bit like the International Space Station,” Mienville explained. “The objective is to study how the central Arctic Ocean is going to evolve in the next decades, and how, in return, that will affect the rest of the world — because everything that happens in the Arctic is linked to climate, to ocean circulation.”

For now, according to Mienville, the Polar Symposium identified key priorities, but concrete results remain to be implemented.

The symposium was co-organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, the International Arctic Science Committee, and the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco.

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Main photo credit: Monaco Life