It was a day of high diplomacy and strategic networking at the Palace on Tuesday 27th October, as Prince Albert II officially welcomed six new power players to the Principality’s international stage. Envoys spanning four continents gathered in Monaco to formally present their credentials, setting the stage for a new chapter in global partnerships.
During private audiences at the Palace, Prince Albert II formally received Canada’s Nathalie Drouin, South Korea’s Hyuk-woon Kwon, Burundi’s Spès-Caritas Njebarikanuye, El Salvador’s Tania Camila Rosa, Thailand’s Nikorndej Balankura, and Lebanon’s Rabih Chaer.
From left to right: Rabih Chaer, Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic; Tania Camila Rosa, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador; Nathalie Drouin, Ambassador of Canada; Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Kwon Hyuk-woon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea; Spès-Caritas Njebarikanuye, Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi; and Nikorndej Balankura, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali
Forging new international ties
Following the Palace reception, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, hosted the newly accredited diplomats at a traditional welcome luncheon held at the Hôtel Hermitage.
Joined by their respective honorary consuls alongside representatives from Invest Monaco and the Monaco Chamber of Commerce, the envoys discussed deepening bilateral trade, cultural ties, and international cooperation with the Principality.
Six decades after its first official notes resounded across the Rock, the Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a special performance at the Grimaldi Forum in November.
The ensemble’s origins trace back to 19th November 1966, when the first Monegasque ceremonial trumpet signal, specially commissioned by Prince Rainier III, was performed during National Day celebrations. What started as a traditional military fanfare has grown over the past six decades into an internationally renowned ceremonial band
, performing at major state events and global military music festivals worldwide.
An eclectic anniversary line-up
To mark this big occasion, the orchestra is assembling an extraordinary lineup of more than 80 musicians and special guest performers. The programme will break away from traditional military repertoire, offering an eclectic mix that spans monumental classical works, jazz standards, dynamic rock and roll, and contemporary variety pieces.
Key event information
The anniversary concert takes place on Friday 6th November, starting at 8pm inside the Salle Prince Pierre at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco. Tickets are priced at a flat rate of €35 per seat, with booking open via the venue’s official box office.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene will take part in a major European conference at the Grimaldi Forum on 4th November, as Monaco welcomes ministers to discuss how to make sport safer and healthier for children.
The 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport will bring the protection and wellbeing of young athletes into focus under the theme ‘A safer and healthier sport for all children’.
Prince Albert II will deliver the opening address in the morning, while Princess Charlene will introduce the afternoon programme. Both former Olympians, the Princely Couple will highlight their commitment to physical activity and its role in supporting children’s development and overall wellbeing.
While ministerial discussions will happen behind closed doors, a public photography exhibition outside the Grimaldi Forum will offer visitors a look at Monaco’s sporting achievements and initiatives.
OLYMPIC MOMENTS TO LOCAL SPORT
The exhibition will feature 15 photographs capturing sporting life in the Principality, from major international competitions to school and amateur sport.
Among the images will be a photograph of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene carrying the Olympic flame together on Place du Palais during its visit to Monaco in 2024. This marked the flame’s second passage through the Principality, following its first in 1968.
Other highlights will include Charles Leclerc’s historic 2024 Monaco Grand Prix victory, the recent visit of La Vuelta, and Monaco’s Davis Cup team’s victory over Finland in September.
The exhibition will also highlight initiatives promoting inclusion and passing sporting values on to younger generations.
SHARED COMMITMENT TO SPORTING VALUES
The exhibition will also reflect the priorities of the Princely Couple in their roles as President and Vice-President of the Monaco Olympic Committee.
Prince Albert II has emphasised the potential for a city-state to become a global reference for ethical, sustainable, accessible, and committed sport. Princess Charlene highlighted the responsibility that comes with sporting excellence: bringing people together, inspiring them, and passing on sporting values.
Those educational and social dimensions of sport will be the backdrop to the ministerial discussions as Monaco prepares to welcome the conference.
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Photo provided
MBA comeback falls short against ASVEL in Coupe de France
Monaco Basket Association (MBA) came back from an 11-point half-time deficit to briefly lead Lyon ASVEL Féminin before falling 71-81 in the Coupe de France battle on Wednesday 28th October.
A packed Salle Gaston-Médecin hosted an enthusiastic crowd supporting the unbeaten Ligue Féminine 2 leaders as they challenged their high-level opponents. Supporters became increasingly involved as the contest became closer, with the crowd’s energy reflected on court as MBA searched for an upset.
MONACO FIGHT BACK
ASVEL held a narrow 22-19 lead after the first quarter before extending their lead in the second, sending Monaco into the locker room trailing 35-46 at the halfway mark.
MBA delivered a strong third quarter performance, holding the visitors to only 10 points while adding 17 of their own, reducing the deficit to only four points heading into the final quarter of the game.
In the 33rd minute, Monaco took a 60-59 lead, making their aspirations of eliminating a team from the division above a true possibility. ASVEL, however, regained control in the final minutes to secure their place in the next round of competition.
STRONG INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Carolina Rodrigues led Monaco’s scoring with 18 points, while Stepha M’baye added 14 points and five rebounds.
Julie Tétart delivered a meaningful performance all-around with 13 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and two blocks, helping the team on both ends of the court.
The visitors’ shooting accuracy, however, proved to be the difference. ASVEL converted 50.9% of their field-goal attempts against Monaco’s 37.3%. They also made 11 three-point shots compared to MBA’s six.
CUP EXIT AFTER COMPETITIVE RUN
MBA had previously beaten La Tronche Meylan 77-50 in the previous round and entered the ASVEL match with five victories from five league games under their belt.
Although their run for the Coupe de France has come to an end, the evening provided evidence that Monaco has a definite ability to challenge higher-level competition. With a packed house responding to every close play, MBA’s second-half comeback gave Monaco’s supporters plenty to get behind.
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Photo credit: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life
Prince Albert II honours Eileen Gray at Cap Moderne plaque unveiling
A commemorative plaque honouring Irish architect and designer Eileen Gray was unveiled at Cap Moderne on Wednesday 28th October in the presence of Prince Albert II, marking a century since work began on Villa E-1027 and the approaching 50th anniversary of her death.
Held alongside Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Mayor Patrick Cesari, the ceremony celebrated the woman whose vision shaped the seaside villa, from its architecture and furniture to the smallest details of daily life.
Organiser Robert Lee Mulcahy said the tribute began with a conversation over lunch in June with Mayor Cesari and around 20 guests he had gathered to honour Eileen Gray in this milestone year. He suggested naming a street or public space after Gray. With two significant anniversaries falling this year, those discussions developed into Wednesday’s commemoration.
A century since work began on E-1027
Built between 1926 and 1929, E-1027 was Gray’s first architectural project, designed in collaboration with Romanian architect Jean Badovici on a steep coastal plot below the railway at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
In his address, Mulcahy cited research by Renaud Barré, who has spent 25 years studying the villa and is preparing a book for publication in April 2027. According to that research, Badovici requested a water supply for the construction site before the summer of 1926, while the house was declared complete on 30th July 1929.
The centenary therefore marks the beginnings of the project. Its name encodes the pair’s initials: E for Eileen, 10 for Jean’s J, the tenth letter of the alphabet, 2 for Badovici’s B and 7 for Gray’s G.
Gray approached the house as a complete living environment, designing furniture, lighting and interiors around the needs of its occupants. That attention to how people actually lived was central to her work across architecture and design.
Guests gathered at Cap Moderne on Wednesday for the plaque unveiling, where an exhibition for Eileen Gray’s villa is currently being staged. Photo credit: Frederick Duchesne
Preserving Gray’s legacy
Born in County Wexford in 1878, Gray developed her career through painting, lacquer work, furniture and textiles before turning to architecture. Beyond E-1027, her houses included Tempe à Pailla at Castellar, overlooking Menton.
The survival of E-1027 required a substantial preservation effort. Acquired by the Conservatoire du littoral in 1999 after falling into serious disrepair, the villa underwent restoration intended to return it to its original 1929 appearance. The work was completed in 2021.
Mulcahy acknowledged Michael Likierman’s leadership of the Cap Moderne restoration project, whose honorary committee was presided over by Prince Albert.
Looking ahead to the 150th anniversary of Gray’s birth in 2028, Mulcahy also proposed an Eileen Gray Education Foundation. He envisaged practical programmes, teaching resources and opportunities for architecture and design students, inviting supporters to help develop the initiative.
Prince Albert II presenting Robert Lee Mulcahy with a medal recognising his public service, philanthropy and support for culture. Photo credit: Frederick Duchesne
Recognition for Robert Mulcahy
During the ceremony, Prince Albert II presented Mulcahy with a medal recognising his public service, philanthropy and support for culture. Mulcahy also presented the Prince with a miniature version of the commemorative plaque.
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Mayor Patrick Cesari, who also addressed the gathering, spoke warmly of the friendship between the town and the Principality.
Further tributes in Paris
Wednesday’s unveiling came three days before the anniversary of Gray’s death in Paris on 31st October 1976.
Mulcahy said further commemorations would include an Irish Embassy reception on Thursday 29th October and a private ceremony at Père-Lachaise cemetery on Saturday 31st October. A niche and a plaque matching the design unveiled at Cap Moderne are due to be unveiled there.
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Main photo credit: Frederick Duchesne
Monaco to host third edition of Chokolashow celebrating Grimaldi Dynasty
Fine art, master chocolate creation, and centuries of princely heritage will take centre stage in Monaco on Friday 4th December, for the third edition of Chokolashow. Organised by the Monaco International Hub association under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II, the celebratory evening returns to its original home at the Tunnel Riva with a central theme honouring ‘The Grimaldi Dynasty’.
The 2026 programme will highlight custom-designed chocolate sculptures, live artistic performances, and high-profile fundraising dedicated to local charitable causes. By bringing together top chocolatiers and contemporary artists to pay tribute to the Princely Family’s history, the event stands out as one of the Principality’s most distinctive winter cultural gatherings.
Artistry and gastronomy in support of local charity
Since its inception, Chokolashow has built a reputation for blending cultural expression with philanthropic action. The 2026 event will unite renowned chocolatiers, visual artists, and creative talents to produce bespoke edible masterpieces and artistic installations inspired by centuries of Grimaldi history.
Beyond its cultural focus, the initiative maintains a core charitable mission. Proceeds and fundraising efforts from the evening will directly support local community projects and philanthropic causes championed by the Monaco International Hub. By transforming gourmet craftsmanship into a fundraising platform, the event reinforces the Principality’s long-standing legacy of combining high-level events with charitable giving.
A symbolic setting for a growing tradition
The selection of the Tunnel Riva carries strong historical significance for the initiative. Hosting the third edition in the subterranean waterside venue marks a return to the location of Chokolashow’s debut, highlighting its evolution into an established tradition on Monaco’s cultural calendar.
With official princely patronage confirmed and preparations underway, the organisers expect the December gathering to attract key figures from Monaco’s artistic, diplomatic, and philanthropic communities to celebrate the Sovereign House through a unique fusion of art and gastronomy.
