Princess Charlene officially presented the Principality’s newly established K9 Unit on Monday 27th October, during a ceremony held at the recently renovated headquarters of the Public Security Department (Sûreté Publique).
The Princess was joined by her brother Gareth Wittstock, along with Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior, Éric Arella, Director of Public Security, and members of the state’s senior leadership and Monegasque dignitaries.
A unit born from Princess Charlene’s initiative
This new canine brigade was created at the end of 2024 within the Urban Police Division, a project initiated and supported by Princess Charlene herself. According to the Palace, the unit reflects her strong belief in the essential role of specialised police dogs in enhancing public safety.
During her visit, Princess Charlene was given a comprehensive presentation of the unit’s mission, equipment, and working conditions. She then attended a live outdoor demonstration showcasing the operational skills of the brigade’s dog handlers and their highly trained companions.
“Security is a fundamental pillar of the Principality”
In her address during the official ceremony at the Salon d’Honneur, the Princess praised the dedication and professionalism of Monaco’s public security forces.
“Security is one of the fundamental pillars of the Principality,” she said, adding that the creation of the new K9 unit is a direct response to the evolving methods and technologies required to safeguard Monaco.
Princess Charlene also commended the new partnership between the Public Security Department and the Monaco Society for the Protection of Animals (Société Protectrice des Animaux de Monaco), of which she is president. Thanks to this collaboration, the dogs of the K9 unit will be housed at the Peille shelter whenever their handlers are temporarily unavailable.
Ceremony concludes with official honours
The ceremony concluded with Princess Charlene personally presenting police ID cards and insignia patches to the unit’s dog handlers — a gesture symbolising the formal recognition of this new and specialised branch of Monaco’s security services.
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Main photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Prince’s Palace