A majestic sea eagle, a pygargue named Malizia from a detachment of the 17th Regiment of Parachutist Engineers of Montauban, stole the show at the Changing of the Guard at the Palais Princier de Monaco in early February when the impressive raptor joined members of the French contingent at the ceremonial occasion.
Malizia is a female American fisher eagle born in 2015. She succeeds Bac-Kan, the regiment’s previous mascot, who died in 2013 after 15 years of service. Her name was chosen as an homage to Francesco Grimaldi, also known as Il Malizia, who famously captured the Monegasque fortress on the Rock in 1297 by disguising himself as a Franciscan monk.
The eagle is the official mascot of the 17th Regiment of Parachutist Engineers (17th RGP) of Montauban, the only military unit in Europe to have an eagle as a mascot. Malizia was a gift from Princess Caroline of Hanover, the elder sister of Prince Albert II of Monaco, who has been the regiment’s godmother since June 2011. The choice of the eagle’s breed reflects the American heritage of Princess Caroline’s mother, Grace Kelly.
Under the care of her devoted eagle handler, Corporal-Chief Fabien, Malizia participates in all major ceremonies and embodies the regiment’s spirit and resilience.
The 17th RGP itself plays a critical role within the French armed forces. As the only engineering regiment with a specialised Parachutist Engagement Aid Section (SAEP), its elite sappers are trained to be air-dropped into challenging environments to restore airstrips, construct necessary infrastructure and support military operations.
Since its first airborne mission in 1953 during Operation Castor at Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam, the regiment has been at the forefront of major military engagements. More recently, its forces were deployed in Mali, including in Timbuktu and Tessalit, as part of Operation Serval.
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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department