Prince Albert II attended the commemoration of the Battle of Camerone at the Legion’s headquarters in Aubagne on Thursday 30th April, joining the French Foreign Legion for one of its most solemn annual ceremonies. The Prince was received at the Quartier Viénot, where he attended the military ceremony, reviewed the troops, watched the parade and witnessed the honours rendered to the Étendard.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Prince Albert was elevated to the grade of honorary corporal of the French Foreign Legion — a distinction reflecting the enduring relationship between the Principality and the institution. Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy was also decorated during the commemoration, receiving the medal of the FSALE, the Federation of Former Members of the French Foreign Legion, in recognition of her commitment and services to the Legion’s amicales.
A battle that became a legend
Camerone commemorates an engagement fought on 30th April 1863 in Mexico, when a small detachment of legionnaires, surrounded and vastly outnumbered, fought to the last man rather than abandon their mission. The episode has become the defining symbol of the Legion’s values — honour, commitment and self-sacrifice — and is marked each year with ceremonies at Legion posts across the world.
This year’s edition was held under the theme ‘the nobility of serving’, a reference to the singular honour of defending a country that is not one’s own.
Historical ties
Monaco’s relationship with the French Foreign Legion runs deep. Prince Louis II served in its ranks in the early 20th century, establishing a connection between the Principality and the institution that has been maintained across successive reigns. In April 2024, Monaco hosted a képi blanc presentation ceremony on the Place du Palais, the latest expression of that bond before Thursday’s commemoration in Aubagne.
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.
Main photo credit: Michael Alesi, Prince’s Palace