Monaco marked its National Day on Wednesday with a rich display of heritage, dignity, and national pride. From solemn religious observance to the precision of military ceremony, the celebrations reflected the Principality’s enduring traditions and close ties between the Sovereign and his people.
The day began solemnly at 9:30am with a Te Deum at Monaco Cathedral, where Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were joined by Princess Caroline and Princess Stéphanie. Archbishop Dominique-Marie David led the thanksgiving mass, accompanied by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and Monaco Cathedral Choir.
By 11am, attention shifted to the Palace’s Cour d’Honneur, where Prince Albert presided over military ceremonies honouring Monaco’s four uniformed units.
The Prince personally awarded rank insignia to 31 promoted members of the Force Publique and presented the Order of Saint-Charles to three servicemen, along with medals of honour to 16 Palace staff.
This year’s celebrations also marked 150 years of Monaco’s diplomatic representation in Italy, with 33 musicians from the 3rd Carabinieri Regiment of Lombardy joining the Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra in a specially adapted musical programme.
But the day’s most anticipated moment arrived at the Palace Square, where crowds had gathered in eager anticipation. When Prince Albert, Princess Charlene, and twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella finally appeared at the Palace window, cheers erupted across the historic square. Princess Stéphanie and her children Louis Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb also appeared at a separate window, adding to the joyous scene.
“I would do anything to be here, even if it was raining, I would have come,” one Monegasque resident told Monaco Life. She couldn’t single out a favourite moment: “I loved everything from start to finish, everything was amazing.”
Another local reflected on what the day represents: “The National Day is always a great joy, there is always so much prestige, but it’s also a reflection of a prosperous Principality and a Prince who is close to the population.” The appearance of the Princely Family, she added, remained the emotional highlight: “That is something that always brings joy.”
The day proved once more that Monaco’s National Day continues to be one of the Principality’s most beloved annual celebrations, drawing not only residents but visitors alike to honour Monaco, it’s heritage, the Sovereign Prince, and the entire Grimaldi family.
See more in our video reel below…
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Main photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier