Photos: Monaco’s Princely family celebrates U Cavagnëtu

An event exclusively reserved for Monegasques and their families, this year’s U Cavagnëtu picnic at the Parc Princesse Antoinette saw nearly 1,000 people turn out and join Prince Albert II and his family in celebrating a special day.

Every year, the Principality celebrates the end of the summer season with a big family-friendly party. Called the U Cavagnëtu picnic, it’s a day filled with fun and camaraderie for Monegasque citizens, and where appearances by the Prince and Princess are always a highlight.

This year, Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were joined by other members of the reigning Grimaldi family for the festivities on Saturday 9th September. The crowd swelled to about a thousand locals of all generations, up considerably from 600 the previous year.

Long-time Mayor Georges Marsan and many other politicians and dignitaries from the Principality were also on hand to mark the annual occasion.

ORDER OF THE DAY

The picnic event was opened in a traditional manner, with flowers and an entertaining welcome by the Palladienne dancers of Monaco’s local folk music and dancing group, followed by an open-air mass given by Monsignor Dominique-Marie David, after which the Monegasque national hymn was performed by the U Cantin d’A Roca choir.

The Prince and his family then gathered with the locals to enjoy an aperitif of delicious local specialties such as socca, tourte and pissaladière, with a barbeque feast afterwards. The Mairie provided traditional Monegasque fougasse and other delicacies, as well as ice cream for those who like a cooling treat after their meal.

Many opted to bring their own “cavagnëtu” – a picnic basket – to add to the mix of treats on offer, which included the Dolceacqua favourite of fresciœi di baccalà or cod fritters to mark the upcoming twinning of the Principality with the Ligurian town in November.

Musical entertainment was provided as well, with a jazz quartet headed up by Lionel Vaudano, a professor at the Rainier III Academy, as well as singing by the choir of U Cantin d’A Roca.

Click on the images below to see more from the special day…