Princess Charlene goes behind the scenes to meet the people who keep Monaco spotless

Princess Charlene paid a morning visit on Friday 6th November to the Waste Processing Centre of the Société Monégasque d’Assainissement (SMA) to meet staff and observe their daily operations first-hand.

Joined by her brother, Gareth Wittstock, and Antoine Zeghdar, the Princess toured the facilities and met the teams tasked with public cleansing, waste collection, treatment, and recycling across Monaco.

*Princess Charlene visiting Monaco’s SMA Waste Centre. Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier*

Essential work behind Monaco’s image

During the visit, Princess Charlene expressed her gratitude to the workforce responsible for maintaining the Principality’s public spaces and residential environment, saying: “Thanks to you, Monaco is clean and it is a pleasure to live in our beautiful Principality.”

From left to right: Thomas Battaglione (SMA’s Managing Director), Princess Charlene, Gareth Wittstock and Antoine Zeghdar (Monegasque rugby player and ambassador for the Princess Charlene Foundation). Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier

Approaching 90 years of service

For 88 years, the SMA has operated continuous waste management services across Monaco, managing routine operations as well as large-scale cleanup efforts during major international events hosted in the Principality.

Ahead of its 90th anniversary in 2028, the organisation continues to focus on modernising its recycling capabilities and maintaining high environmental standards across the territory.

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Click on the gallery for more images of the event. Photos credit: Palais princier