On the final morning of the French State Visit to Monaco, First Ladies Brigitte Macron and Princess Charlene brought the focus to youth, prevention and lifesaving skills in a hands-on event at Stade Louis II.
As diplomatic fanfare wound down, a quieter yet no less meaningful chapter of the French State Visit unfolded on Sunday 8th June, when Princess Charlène of Monaco welcomed France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, to the poolside of Stade Louis II. The occasion was Water Safety Day — the flagship event of the Princess Charlène Foundation — and it offered a moment of unity rooted not in protocol, but in purpose.
Children, courage and a cause with urgency
For over a decade, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has worked to prevent drowning and promote aquatic safety education for children around the world. This year’s Water Safety Day brought together 100 schoolchildren, aged 7 to 12, for a morning of interactive workshops ranging from CPR instruction to safe swimming relays and rescue obstacle courses. The event was led by freediving champion Pierre Frolla and supported by the Monégasque Academy of the Sea, the Red Cross, and several national education and sports bodies.
Princess Charlène, deeply committed to the cause through personal experience and advocacy, said: “I thank Madame Brigitte Macron with all my heart for being with us today. Her kindness and attention to the children give even more strength to the message we carry. Learning to swim is learning to survive. It is a right for every child, and a responsibility we share.”
First ladies unite around education and solidarity
Brigitte Macron’s presence at the poolside event underscored the shared priorities between France and Monaco when it comes to youth protection and public education. Far from the formal settings of the previous day’s state ceremonies, this encounter between the two First Ladies was marked by genuine warmth and attentiveness. Her participation also reflected the French government’s own commitment to water safety initiatives — a link further strengthened by the foundation’s active programmes in both nations.
The event capped off a weekend that saw Monaco take centre stage on issues from climate diplomacy to European cooperation. Yet it was here, among the splashes and cheers of children learning to save lives, that the values of partnership, compassion and practical action were most tangibly on display.
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Photos credit: Michael Alesi / Palais princier