Princess Stéphanie, godmother of the Corps des Carabiniers du Prince, has officially presented the Corps insignia to two new student Carabiniers of the “Jules Rigoard” promotion during a military ceremony held at the Moneghetti barracks in Monaco.
The ceremony took place on the helicopter landing area of the Caserne des Moneghetti in the presence of Colonel Tony Varo, Commander-in-Chief of the Public Force, Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Yvrard, Chief of the Fire Brigade Corps, and the families of the new recruits.
Following a welcome from Lieutenant-Colonel Martial Pied, Chief of the Corps, and a formal troop inspection, the Company’s Fanion was presented to the future Carabiniers. Princess Stéphanie then personally handed over the Corps insignia, which had been blessed by Abbé Christian Venard, chaplain of the Public Force.
The ceremony concluded with the Monegasque national anthem performed by the Orchestra of the Prince’s Carabiniers alongside the assembled military personnel.
The two young recruits had sworn allegiance to Prince Albert II and the Princely Family on 4th May, formally committing themselves to the demanding mission of serving the Sovereign Family and the Principality with the Corps’ motto of “Honour, Fidelity and Devotion”.
The promotion was named in honour of Jules Rigoard, a historic figure within the Corps des Carabiniers who served both Monaco and France during the First World War.
Rigoard joined the Corps in 1913 before entering the French army following the general mobilisation of August 1914. Assigned to the 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment, he took part in the Champagne offensive in 1915, where his unit distinguished itself in particularly difficult combat conditions.
After contracting tuberculosis during his service, he was discharged from active duty in October 1915 and died from the illness on 4th November that year. Officially recognised as having “Died for France”, Jules Rigoard remains a symbol of sacrifice and duty, and his memory continues to hold an important place within the traditions of the Prince’s Carabiniers.
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Photo credit: Stéphane Danna