Prince Albert II of Monaco will travel to Japan this week to lead celebrations for Monaco’s National Day at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. The visit, set for Saturday 28th June, will spotlight the Principality’s humanitarian and cultural identity, and its active engagement with the international community.
The Prince will be joined by Princess Stéphanie and other members of the Princely family, including Louis and Marie Ducruet, Pauline Ducruet, and Camille Gottlieb, for a full weekend of events. Princess Charlene, along with Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, will not attend due to ongoing events in the Middle East. Her gratitude has been extended to Monaco’s hosts and organisers for their understanding.
Monaco’s pavilion, titled ‘Take Care of Wonder’, is positioned in the ‘Connecting Lives’ zone of the Expo site on Yumeshima Island. The exhibit offers a reflection of Monaco’s vision for a sustainable, human-centred future, in line with the Expo’s overarching theme: ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’.
A programme of diplomacy and solidarity
Festivities begin on Friday 27th June with the gala football match ‘United through Legends’ at Panasonic Stadium Suita, under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II. Featuring Monaco’s Les Barbagiuans and a Japanese All Star Team, the match aims to raise funds for Fight Aids Monaco and local Japanese charities, reinforcing Monaco’s commitment to humanitarian causes.
The official National Day ceremony on Saturday will include a formal welcome for the Prince, the national anthems of Monaco and Japan, and addresses by government and Expo officials. The Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra will provide the ceremonial soundtrack.
Cultural diplomacy on the global stage
Beyond the formalities, the Princely delegation will visit several national pavilions, including those of Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, and of course Monaco. The day will conclude with cultural performances, including a concert by the Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra and showcases by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Princess Grace Dance Academy.
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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communications Department