With their twins now in double digits, it has been some time since Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco had small children running around, but the Princely couple looked perfectly at ease as they met with the little ones enrolled at the recently renovated Monte-Carlo Crèche earlier this week.
On 24th February, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were invited to tour the new-look facilities and meet with the infants and staff at the Monte-Carlo Crèche, which reopened in January after six months of extensive renovations designed to meet the needs of early childhood care while adhering to the latest sustainability and safety regulations.
Once through the doors of the bright and airy space, the Princely couple were greeted with wide-eyed curiosity and smiles from the youngest preschoolers, who ranged in age from just a few months to two years.
The Princess, clearly in her element among the little ones, was first met by a cute-as-a-button young man, who offered her a bouquet of flowers, which she knelt down to take from him. Princess Charlene was later seen sitting in a play area, interacting with the kids and gently holding one little girl’s finger as she took tentative steps. The sweet duo shared a high five in a video shared on social media by the Palais Princier de Monaco.
The Prince, no less up to the task, was seen smiling broadly as he shook hands with a tiny boy in one of the freshly renovated classrooms. The little guy, who stared up at him with wonder, gave the Prince cause to smile before moving on with the visit.
As part of the inauguration, the Princely couple took part in a blessing ceremony performed by Father Jean Ariel Bauza Salinas, before being guided through the upgraded establishment by Jean-Luc Magnani, the head of Monaco’s Early Childhood and Families Department.
Monaco Mayor Georges Marsan, who joined the Prince and Princess on the visit, remarked on the “remarkable coordination of the various Municipal Services throughout the project” in an informal speech about the renovations, before praising all those who made the works happen.
“It is important for the Municipal Council to continue our policy in favour of early childhood, which truly constitutes one of the pillars of all our action,” he said. “Helping families means participating in the sustainability of our unique social model. Being able to respond to their requests and expectations is a legitimate source of pride.”
The site is equipped to care for 36 children aged two months to two years, and the extensive refurbishment has enhanced comfort, safety, sustainability and accessibility, ensuring a nurturing environment for young children.
The redevelopment was overseen by François Lallemand, Monaco’s 5th Deputy Mayor and a trained architect, in collaboration with Monegasque architect Franck Bourgery. The project spanned 535m² across the ground and first floors, which together now constitute an up-to-date and functional space for both children and staff.
Plans are already underway for the renovation of an annex, which will be dedicated to older children. This project will see a reconfiguration of spaces to include an additional activity room, facilities adapted for individuals with reduced mobility, a laundry room, an isolation room and an expanded management office that can also function as a meeting space.
To see more photographs of the visit, click on the images below:
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Photos credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco