Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended the second edition of the Provale Solidarité charity gala in Paris on Friday 13th March, lending their support to an organisation dedicated to helping professional rugby players facing sudden career endings, financial hardship or difficulties in transitioning to life after sport.
The evening, held at the Four Seasons Hôtel George V, fell on the eve of Prince Albert’s 68th birthday. The Sovereign Prince and Princess Charlene serve as patron and godmother of the event. Princess Charlene is also President of the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby.
Princess Charlene’s speech
Delivering a speech at the gala, Princess Charlène drew on her own experience as a former elite athlete to speak to the realities faced by players when their careers come to an abrupt end. “Behind every career, there are years of commitment, devotion, self-surpassing and sacrifices,” she said. “Few people understand what rugby demands of a player’s body and life. And I know how much the transition after a brilliant sporting career requires courage and support.”
She invoked the words of Nelson Mandela to underline sport’s broader role in society. “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that is almost unique. Sport can create hope where there is only despair.”
Affirming the Princely couple’s commitment to the cause, she closed with a call to action. “I appeal to your solidarity and your generosity, because in rugby as in life, together we go further.”
About Provale Solidarité
Founded in 2023, Provale Solidarité is a dedicated fund for professional rugby players in difficulty and has French-Algerian rugby union player Malik Hamadache as its president. It provides emergency financial assistance, social support, psychological care — including help for those suffering from depression — and programmes promoting gender equality within the sport. Its work addresses a reality that rarely makes headlines: the abrupt endings that injury, illness or other circumstances can force on careers built over years of sacrifice.
Former French international Philippe Sella, who earned 111 caps for France, was also present at the gala. “Getting involved with Provale Solidarité means thinking about those whose careers have been cut short by injury or other circumstances,” he said. “Breaking with rugby from one day to the next is hard. Solidarity in life is a human commitment.”
The evening’s programme
The gala brought together leading figures from French and international rugby for a programme that included a gastronomic dinner prepared by three-Michelin-starred chef Christian Le Squer and a charity auction of lots connected to rugby history. All proceeds go directly to funding the organisation’s emergency aid, social support and psychological assistance programmes.
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Main photo credit: Sara Steck/Palais princier