80 years on from the Liberation of Monaco by the Allied forces, the Principality and Prince Albert II have paid tribute to the men and women who fought to liberate the nation from German occupation.
On Tuesday 3rd September, Monaco commemorated its liberation from initially Italian and then German occupation during WWII. Though aspects of the day were respectfully solemn, such as the laying of a wreath at the tomb of Monegasque Resistance fighter René Borghini and the speech delivered by Prince Albert at the Monaco Cemetery, the mood was also joyful, with hundreds of people turning out to watch the military parades and enjoy the historical reenactments in the Place du Palais.
Here are some of the highlights of the momentous event.
^ Standing before the monument that commemorates the lives lost in 20th century global conflicts, Prince Albert delivered a moving speech honouring the efforts of the Allied forces in the presence of numerous Monaco officials and detachments from the French Draguignan Infantry School and the US Army Southern European Task Force – Africa (SETAF-AF).
^ Prince Albert II of Monaco paid tribute to the Monegasque Resistance fighter, René Borghini, who lost his life mere weeks before the Principality was liberated.
^ The Prince later laid a wreath in front of the commemorative plaque that honours the efforts of Borghini and his liaison officer, Esther Poggio, who were executed by German troops in Nice on 15th August 1944.
^ A particular highlight for the public were the historical reenactments and parades laid on by the MonacoUSA association in partnership with the Monaco Commemoration Committee. Here, Prince Albert is pictured meeting some of those who donned uniforms from the era.
^ People of all ages dressed up to bring to life to the stories and legacies left by the local Resistance fighters and members of the Allied forces who contributed to the Liberation of Monaco in 1944.
^ In honour of the role that US General Robert Frederick played in the Liberation of Provence and Monaco, Prince Albert invited his grandson, Bradley Hicks (second from right), to the Palais Princier for a luncheon with Jean d’Haussonville, Ambassador of France to Monaco (left), and Denise Campbell Bauer, Ambassador of the United States to France (second from left).
^ Towards the end of the commemorations, Prince Albert stopped by at the Ministry of State to formally inaugurate an exhibition entitled ‘Monaco Libéré! 3 September-28 December 1944’. The exhibition was put together by the National Archives’ Prefiguration Mission in collaboration with the Archives of the Prince’s Palace, the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco and the Médiathèque de Monaco. It will be on display to the public until 31st January 2025.
To see more of the day’s events, watch the Monaco Life Instagram reel below:
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Prince Albert II takes leading role at 80th anniversary commemorations of Monaco’s 1944 Liberation
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Photo credits: Stéphane Danna / Frédéric Nebinger / Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco / Monaco Communications Department