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Month: October 2026

AS Monaco shows support for Pink October during Toulouse match

by: Kayla Sauceda
13/10/2026

AS Monaco reaffirmed its commitment to breast cancer awareness on Saturday 10th October, dedicating its Ligue 1 match against Toulouse to Pink October and highlighting the work of Pink Ribbon Monaco.

The initiative formed part of the club’s ongoing support for the annual breast cancer awareness campaign through its programme, AS Monacœur, which aims to use football as a platform for community engagement and charity.

Throughout the match at Stade Louis II, which resulted in a 2-2 draw, the club introduced several initiatives to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage early detection.

SUPPORTING PINK RIBBON MONACO

At the centre of the initiative was Pink Ribbon Monaco, a local association founded in 2011 that works to promote breast cancer awareness. To demonstrate its support, AS Monaco players wore specially designed jerseys featuring the association’s pink ribbon during the match.

Ahead of kickoff, AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro presented a symbolic jersey to Pink Ribbon Monaco President Natasha Frost-Savio, recognising the association’s ongoing work in the Principality.

A close-up of the Pink Ribbon Monaco emblem on an AS Monaco jersey. Photo credit: AS Monaco.

STADE LOUIS II EMBRACES PINK OCTOBER

The club extended its support beyond the pitch, with coaching staff, management, and other employees wearing pink ribbons throughout the evening. Breast cancer awareness messages were also displayed on the stadium’s advertising boards, while the match pennant exchanged with Toulouse featured Pink October colours.

The initiative extends to AS Monaco’s digital platforms, with the website and social media channels featuring pink branding in support.

Through these efforts, AS Monaco continued its longstanding involvement in Pink October, using its visibility both inside the stadium and online to support the campaign and its message.

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Photo credit: AS Monaco

Valentin Vacherot’s Shanghai Masters title defence ends with defeat to Tommy Paul

by: Kayla Sauceda
13/10/2026

Valentin Vacherot’s hopes of defending his Shanghai Masters title came to an end on Monday 12th October after suffering a straight-sets defeat to American Tommy Paul in the third round.

The defending Shanghai champion was beaten 6-4, 6-2 in just under ninety minutes, bringing an end to his return to the tournament where he made history in 2025. Currently ranked world No. 14, Vacherot entered the match as the tournament’s 17th seed, facing 15th seed Paul after his victory over Sebastián Báez on Saturday.

Despite opportunities to challenge Paul, Vacherot struggled to capitalise on his chances, with Paul’s consistency and court coverage proving decisive.

PAUL TAKES CONTROL IN STRAIGHT SETS

The opening set remained competitive until Paul secured the first break of the match to take a 4-3 lead. Although Vacherot continued to apply pressure, Paul successfully defended two break points while serving for the set, closing it out 6-4.

Paul carried that momentum into the second set, securing an early break and taking control. The American extended rallies and put Vacherot under pressure, extending his lead to 4-1. Paul ultimately closed out the set 6-2, sealing his victory with an ace on his second match point.

The statistics reflected the difficulties Vacherot faced throughout the match. Paul saved six of the seven break points he faced, while Vacherot managed three forehand winners compared with Paul’s 12.

The result sends Paul into the fourth round where he will face Belgium’s Zizou Bergs, who upset Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the day to advance.

A HISTORIC TITLE DEFENCE COMES TO AN END

The defeat marks a disappointing end to Vacherot’s return to Shanghai, where he achieved the greatest success of his career just one year ago. Entering last year’s tournament ranked world No. 204, Vacherot produced a fairytale run from qualifying to become the lowest-ranked player in history to win an ATP Masters 1000 title.

His road to the final included a victory over Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, before defeating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final to earn the trophy. The victory propelled Vacherot into the international spotlight and made history for tennis in Monaco.

SIGNIFICANT RANKING IMPLICATIONS

Beyond losing his title, the elimination carries significant consequences for Vacherot’s ATP ranking. Having earned 1,000 ranking points from his 2025 Shanghai victory, Vacherot entered this year’s tournament defending a substantial portion of his ranking total.

Following Monday’s loss, he has provisionally fallen from world No. 14 to No. 32 in the ATP live rankings, a drop of 18 places. His final position will depend on results elsewhere in the tournament.

Despite the earlier-than-hoped-for exit, Vacherot has continued to demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest level this season. Most recently, he reached the semifinals of the Japan Open in Tokyo.

Although Shanghai history could not be repeated, Vacherot will look to build on his performances throughout 2026 as the ATP season approaches its end.

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Photo Source: Rolex Shanghai Masters

Europe’s rising tennis stars head to Monaco for Junior Masters

by: Kayla Sauceda
13/10/2026

Some of Europe’s young tennis talents will arrive in Monaco this month for the Tennis Europe Junior Masters as the event returns to the Monte-Carlo Country Club for its sixth consecutive year.

Taking place from 21st to 24th October, the tournament will bring together 32 of Europe’s leading junior players across four categories, with competition held on the same courts that host the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters each spring.

Organised by the Monegasque Tennis Federation under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II and the presidency of Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, the event marks the annual finale of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour. The competition will feature eight players in each of the under-14 and under-16 boys’ and girls’ categories.

A HISTORY OF PRODUCING CHAMPIONS

The Junior Masters has historically featured players who went on to achieve success at the highest level of professional tennis, including Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Kim Clijsters, and Belinda Bencic.

Among those competing this year is Monaco’s Christine Graf, who will represent the Principality in the under-16 girls’ category. She will face an international field including players from Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Portugal, Austria, and Cyprus.

MONACO PREPARES TO WELCOME THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT

Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, President of both the Monegasque Tennis Federation and the Monte-Carlo Country Club, expressed her excitement ahead of the competition.

“It is with immense pleasure that we prepare to welcome the Tennis Europe Junior Masters Monte-Carlo for the sixth consecutive year,” she said. “I am delighted to be able to welcome these young champions to the Principality, who are undoubtedly the future elite of world tennis.”

The tournament will conclude with the finals on Saturday, 24 October, bringing another edition of the junior competition to a close on one of the sport’s most recognisable stages.

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Photo source: Government Communications Department

 

Women of Monaco Lunch turns red as bidding duel breaks auction record

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/10/2026

A diamond ring, two determined bidders and a room thoroughly enjoying the spectacle helped the 16th Women of Monaco Lunch raise €35,000 for the Princess Grace Foundation at the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, the highest amount in the event’s history.

The lunch, created by Sandrine Knoell and organised by her company 5 Stars Events, took place on Thursday 8th October in the hotel’s Salon Méditerranée, with the support of Barclays Private Bank. Continuing its steady progress through the colour chart, this edition was dressed in red, with guests arriving in every shade from scarlet to deep burgundy.

A duel for a diamond ring

The Women of Monaco Club, an invitation-only circle that brings together women of many nationalities and professional backgrounds, drew some well-known names to this edition. Lady Tina Green, Lady Monika Bacardi and Victoria Silvstedt were among the guests, and all three made their support felt.

Lady Green set the tone early, pledging €10,000 to the foundation before the lunch had even begun.

The afternoon’s most memorable moment came during the charity auction. When the Vertigo II ring by De Trazegnies, crafted in 18-carat palladium white gold and set with 38 natural white diamonds, went under the hammer, Lady Green and Lady Bacardi found themselves bidding against each other, much to the amusement of the room. Neither was prepared to give way, and the contest ended with both women securing a ring, each in return for a €7,000 donation.

From left to right: Lady Monika Bacardi, organiser Sandrine Knoell and Lady Tina Green. Photo credit: Alena Borodina

Other lots included a Grace Kelly sculpture in wood by Marcos Marin, an exclusive couture gown by Irina Marchuk, six bottles of SGC’s La Liberté wine, and an embroidered set celebrating the 70th anniversary of the ‘Wedding of the Century’ between Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly in April 1956.

Together, the donations and auction brought the total to €35,000, comfortably ahead of the €13,700 raised at the green-themed edition last October.

Barclay’s Private Bank Team: Camille Franchini, Irina Phillips, Stéphanie Tanucci, Claudia Carrieri, Cécila Mondon

Two-star cooking in red

The menu, signed by Christophe Cussac, the chef behind the two-Michelin-starred Les Ambassadeurs at the Métropole, carried the theme onto the plate. Prawns with walnuts and red endives were followed by veal in fine leaves with aromatics, before a raspberry pavlova with hibiscus infusion and chocolate bonbons. Veuve Clicquot Champagne was served alongside wines from Provence, and the food drew warm praise from around the room.

After a welcome speech from Sandrine Knoell, Irina Phillips of Barclays Private Bank gave an address, before designer Irina Marchuk presented a collection of daywear and evening gowns, with hair and make-up for the models by Cool Bay Monaco, while guests left with beauty gifts from ANTHÉSTÉ, the Greco-Azuréan luxury skincare house.

Fashion show by Irina Marchuk. Photo credit: Alena Borodina

Supporting children and families

Founded in 1964 by Princess Grace, the Princess Grace Foundation supports hospitalised children and their families, funds paediatric medical research and encourages cultural initiatives for young people.

For Sandrine Knoell and 5 Stars Events, the record afternoon caps another successful chapter. Her attention now turns to the next date in the calendar, the Bal de Noël.

 

Monaco Life was there. See more in our video below…

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See also:

Bal de Noël to open a new chapter in support of Monaco’s animal shelter

Main Photo credit: Alena Borodina

France pushes nationwide licence suspensions for drivers caught holding phones

by: Virginia D’Umas
12/10/2026

Drivers in France caught holding a mobile phone behind the wheel could face a licence suspension of up to six months, even if they have committed no other traffic offence. The French Interior Ministry has urged prefects across the country to apply the tougher administrative sanction, which goes well beyond the existing €135 fine and three-point penalty.

While prefects in around twenty departments – including the Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pas-de-Calais, Charente-Maritime, and Yonne – had already begun suspending licences without waiting for a judge’s ruling, the Ministry of the Interior issued a formal directive on Tuesday, 29th September urging all territorial prefects to adopt the measure.

Immediate administrative sanctions

Under the French Highway Code, holding a mobile phone while driving already carries a standard fixed fine of €135 and a three-point deduction on the driving licence. However, prefects now have the authority to suspend a driver’s licence for up to six months administratively, without waiting for judicial proceedings. This administrative suspension can be applied even if the driver has not committed a secondary offence, such as speeding.

How the suspension works

Unlike roadside withdrawals carried out directly by law enforcement officers during a traffic stop, an administrative suspension is officially decided and notified by the prefect. Affected drivers are given the opportunity to present their observations through a formal adversarial procedure, and the duration of the suspension is determined by prefectural services, taking into account the specific circumstances of the infraction.

Since 1st July 2015, the Highway Code has also strictly prohibited driving while wearing any audio device in the ear, such as earphones, headsets, or earpieces.

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Photo Credit: Pexels – Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush

Prince Albert II strengthens historic ties with Piedmont

by: Virginia D’Umas
12/10/2026

Continuing his tradition of visiting territories with deep historical ties to the Principality, Prince Albert II travelled to the Piedmont region of Italy on Friday 9th October.

The journey follows the recent State visit to the Principality on 2nd and 3rd October, during which Italian President Sergio Mattarella publicly commended the network of Historical Sites for its ongoing cultural promotion.

The visit focused on three municipalities within the province of Cuneo: Niella Belbo, Cerreto Langhe, and Novello. All three belong to the Italian Association of Historical Sites of Monaco, a connection forged through historic 14th- and 15th-century marital alliances between the local Del Carretto land-owning family and the Grimaldis.

Inaugurating tradition in Niella Belbo

The day began in the rolling hills of the Langhe. Prince Albert was welcomed in Niella Belbo by Mayor Emanuele Sottimano to inaugurate the Ca’ Balon cultural hub. The new facility houses the region’s first museum dedicated to pallapugno, a traditional Piedmontese team sport rooted in local history.

Exploring the Del Carretto heritage in Cerreto Langhe

The Prince then travelled to Cerreto Langhe. Guided by Mayor Flavio Borgna, the Prince toured the historic ancestral home of the Del Carretto family, examining the tangible architectural links that connect the rural Italian hills to the history of Monaco.

Prince Albert II visited historic sites linked to the Grimaldi family in Piedmont, including the town of Novello. Photo credit: Michaël Alesi

A public welcome in Novello

The final stop of the afternoon took place in Novello. Welcomed in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II by Mayor Marco Pallaro, Prince Albert II visited the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.

Accompanied by traditional local flag-throwers (Sbandieratori), the Prince walked through the historic centre to the village castle, concluding the visit with a public ceremony in the estate park surrounded by local residents, civic leaders, and regional economic stakeholders.

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Click on the gallery for more images of the event. Photos credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier