Under the vibrant skies of Osaka, Monaco took centre stage on Saturday 28th June for its National Day at Expo 2025 Kansai. Prince Albert II led an elegant delegation including Princess Stéphanie, Pauline Ducruet, Camille Gottlieb and Louis and Marie Ducruet, in a celebration that wove together culture, creativity and environmental purpose.
The day began with a moment of serene connection: a traditional tea ceremony hosted at the Maison d’Hôte. The ritual’s blend of elegance, harmony and reflection provided a fitting prelude to a day that celebrated the intersection of heritage and the future.
A ceremony of two nations
At the National Day Hall, the Carabiniers Orchestra opened the formal part of the celebrations. As Monaco’s anthem mingled with Japan’s, the two flags were raised in a stirring gesture of friendship.
Prince Albert reflected on Monaco’s mission at the Universal Exposition: “Expo 2025 offers a precious opportunity to rethink our lifestyles, aspirations, and the imperative of fully integrating environmental protection.
“Our pavilion, Take Care of Wonder, gives visitors an immersive experience of nature’s miracles and the role each of us plays in their preservation. Only a positive, long-term vision can allow us to imagine a more sustainable and responsible society.”
A journey through pavilions
Following an official luncheon, the Prince and his delegation walked through two striking pavilions. At Japan’s Between Lives, they explored a poetic narrative of birth, decay and renewal, woven through nature, biogas, traditional crafts and sensory design. The visit was framed by a musical parade led by the Carabiniers Orchestra before the group reached Monaco’s pavilion.
Take Care of Wonder: Monaco’s immersive showcase
Welcomed by Commissioner General Mireille Martini, Prince Albert discovered Take Care of Wonder, a pavilion that speaks to Monaco’s environmental priorities with immersive design. From tactile galleries to the Monaco Green Lab, and ending in an oceanic cathedral echoing Mediterranean depths, the pavilion has already welcomed over 550,000 visitors—proof that Monaco’s approach to sustainability and scientific excellence is striking a chord.
To seal this message of peace and hope, the Prince gifted an olive tree to Osaka’s Mayor at the pavilion’s close—a living emblem of friendship.
From the desert to the Seine: exploring global innovation
Later in the day, the delegation toured the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, featuring sustainable architecture and coral conservation. They then moved to France’s Théâtre de la Vie, a sensorial journey through French art, cuisine and creativity.
Cultural crescendo
The day ended on a high note with a concert by the Carabiniers Orchestra followed by performances by Les Ballets de Monte‑Carlo and the Princess Grace Dance Academy.
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
All photos credit: Axel Bastello, Palais princier