Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco have celebrated a moving milestone in their young lives, receiving their First Communion in a solemn ceremony at the Monaco Cathedral.
Dressed in traditional white and adorned with wooden crucifixes, the 10-year-old twins of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene took part in the sacred rite on Sunday 11th May. The moment, rich in personal and national symbolism, was shared by their parents and held in the historic heart of the Principality. Images released by the Palace captured the siblings hand-in-hand, exuding both reverence and youthful joy ahead of the religious ceremony.
Their First Communion marks a significant rite of passage for Catholic children and holds added resonance in Monaco, a Catholic state where tradition and faith remain central to national identity. Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, who turned 10 in December, now follow in the footsteps of previous generations of the Grimaldi family in embracing the values of the Church.
Princess Charlene, who converted to Catholicism ahead of her 2011 wedding, has spoken openly about her deep connection to the faith. In a past interview with Paris Match, she described her conversion as spiritually transformative, saying, “The values of this religion profoundly touch me and correspond perfectly to my spirit.” She also recalled the profound experience of meeting Pope Benedict XVI in 2013, an encounter that mirrored that of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier decades earlier.
The ceremony comes just months after the death of Pope Francis, whose funeral Prince Albert and Princess Charlene attended in Rome. The Prince paid tribute to the late Pontiff in a heartfelt public message, describing him as a “very great servant of mankind.”
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Main Photo credit: Axel Bastello / Prince’s Palace