Over the weekend, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were invited to Île Saint-Honorat, an island that lies to the south of Cannes, to attend the blessing of the two new bells that are to be installed in the Saint-Croix Chapel. The Princely couple are to be godparents to the Marie Augustin bell, named in tribute to Augustin Grimaldi (1482-1532), who became the ruler of the Principality in the years after his role as the Abbot of Lérins.
On Saturday 14th September, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene travelled out to the picturesque Île Saint-Honorat, which is located in the Bay of Cannes. The island has been home to a monastic community for 1,600 years, making it one of the most significant early Christian sites in the region.
The Princely couple had been invited to the isle for a very special reason: they are to be the godparents of one of the two new bells that will be raised in the Saint-Croix Chapel of the island’s fortified monastery, which is nearing the end of a careful restoration project that has been years in the making. The landmark is set to reopen to the public in summer 2025.
Their day on Île Saint-Honorat began with an early morning welcome from Father Abbot Vladimir Gaudrat, who greeted the royal couple upon their arrival. The Prince and Princess then toured the chapel and the fortified monastery before attending a mass at the abbey that culminated in the blessing of the bells, which were ceremoniously displayed in the church forecourt.
The ceremony held personal significance for the Princely couple, as they will now serve as the godparents of the larger bell, which has been named Marie Augustin in honour of Augustin Grimaldi, a key figure in Monaco’s history.
Augustin was appointed Abbot of Lérins in 1500 and later became the Lord Ruler of Monaco in 1523, a position he held until his death in 1532. He also served as Bishop of Grasse from 1505 until his final days. In Monaco, Augustin is remembered for his notable role in shaping the nation’s future; he forged a strategic alliance with Emperor Charles V that secured the Principality’s sovereignty 500 years ago.
To see more photographs of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene’s visit to Île Saint-Honorat, click on the images below:
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Photo credits: Palais Princier de Monaco / Eric Mathon