The “Fresh Prince of Monaco”, Hugo Micallef, remains unbeaten in professional boxing after a win against Italian Alessandro Fersula in Germany on Saturday.
Monaco’s great boxing prospect continues to impress since turning professional back in September 2021. Fersula is his sixth victim after successes against Lesther Lara, Ezequiel Gregores, Gonzalo OmarManriquez, Mauro Loli and Illias Kallouch.
Micallef won the fight, his first since December 2022, on points. The 25-year-old was once again against a more experienced fighter, but was unfazed. The “Fresh Prince of Monaco” condemned his 30-year-old opponent to his fourth defeat in 13 professional fights.
“In the first eight rounds, Hugo showed lots of skill and power against sn opponent as big as him,” said the father of the Monégasue super lightweight, André Micallef post-match. The identity of Micallef’s next opponent is yet to be revealed.
It is the latest stride in a decade-long marathon to restore the Prince’s Palace of Monaco to its former Renaissance glory.
Frescoes that were discovered hidden behind layers of paint in 2015 are almost all renewed.
A team of 40 restorers has been whittled down to 20, and they work meticulously now in the Throne Room, recreating frescos for generations to come.
Most of the restored Renaissance-era paintings were unveiled to the public in July 2022 before the Palace was closed again in September.
Now, from Sunday 2nd April, the public will once again be invited into the ‘Grand Apartments’ of the Grimaldi Palace for a tour that begins in the ‘Hercules Gallery’ overlooking the Palace Courtyard.
The Hercules Gallery at the Palais Princier in Monaco. Photo by Monaco Life
Hidden frescoes were uncovered in this 50-metre-long gallery two years after restoration works began in 2013. Experts believe they date back to the 16th century, during the Italian Renaissance. They suspect Genoese artists created the frescoes, which span around 600 square metres throughout the palace, based on the style of art and the type of lime-based plaster used.
The discovery places the Grimaldi family and the Palace of Monaco within a new historical context as a Renaissance palace.
A tour of the Grimaldi Palace
Built in 1197, the Palace of Monaco has been inhabited by the Grimaldi family ever since they overtook the fortress in 1297. Throughout the centuries, the Grimaldis expanded and updated the palace to keep up with the fashions of the time, a clue as to perhaps why these original frescoes were painted over.
On a press tour just days before the official opening, our guide explains how the original designs had been completely covered in the 19th century by Monegasque artist Philibert Florence and his team. Philibert was born into a family of Monegasque artists, and left for Rome in 1859 at age 20 to study drawing and painting with a grant provided by Prince Charles III. Upon his return to Monaco, he was commissioned to redo the frescoes at the palace.
Thankfully, many of these were painted on “plates” and positioned over the top of the original designs. Restorers have maintained the contrast in one of the scenes in the gallery: on the left, we see the less remarkable work of Philibert Florence which has been retouched many times over the years; on the right, the restored 16th century fresco which was originally created using watercolour on wet plaster to draw the pigments into the material and maintain its longevity.
The contrast between a 16th century restored fresco (right) and a 19th century painting positioned over the top (left). Photo by Monaco Life
“Here, you have a very clear indication of what is and what is not fresco,” explains our guide. “When you see fresco, you feel like light is streaming from the wall, you see a particular luminosity.”
In another fresco, our guide explains how they recreated a scene in which Hercules is holding Diomedes and feeding him to a mare. In order to paint Hercules as anatomically correct as possible, they used a live model – a man who works in the palace archives and who also happens to be an MMA fighter.
“He has the stature of Hercules, he is strong, but after an hour of holding one of the restorers in his arms, he begged us to stop,” laughs the guide. “However, if we didn’t position him like that, holding another man, we wouldn’t know how his legs would look in this scene. And that’s how we reproduced the human anatomy on plates like this.”
Like the Monegasque painters who came centuries before them, the restorers have positioned the plates on top of the original frescoes. Only this time, they are aeronautic plates: very thin and very resistant to the elements, with a thin gap to allow airflow.
The 16th century fresco (left) looks nothing like the 19th century artwork that covers it (right). Photo by Monaco Life.
Frescoes in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace
The striking red Throne Room is where the final restoration works are being carried out amid official ceremonies that continue to take place here.
Perched on scaffolding high above the throne, a team of experts are scraping away the final elements of 19th century paintings that had been covering the 500-year-old frescoes that lie beneath. Most are a stark contrast to the original (see picture above).
In one corner, a laser is being used because solvents are just too harsh for many aspects of this work. In another corner, painters are using water colours based on pigments used in the 16th century, with a technique known as trattegio – painting in tiny parallel lines – so that they can be distinguished from the original works.
“The fundamental thing is to ensure that the restored works hold up over time and do not degrade prematurely,” reveals restorer Sophie Prévost.
The frescoes on the south-side are barely visible, while those on the northside are remarkably preserved.
Some of the frescos are in better condition than others. Photo by Monaco Life
The team behind the 21st century restoration
It is clearly a labour of love for these conservators-restorers. They sit in one position for hours, doing painstakingly minute and intricate work.
“The hardest part is maintaining our posture, particularly while working on the ceiling for long hours, and the pressure that it puts on our lower back and arms,” explains one restorer. “But we have regular access to therapy, and we love what we do.”
A dedicated team of conservators-restorers undertake painstaking work that will remain for generations to come. Photo by Monaco Life
They have come from all over the world – Italy, Germany, America, France and Holland – to be a part of one of the largest conservation-restoration projects ever seen in Europe.
“It’s a 10-year project, so it’s been difficult to maintain the team and the continuity,” says our guide. “But they are all attracted by the palace and by the project.”
This vast conservation and restoration project is due to be completed by the end of 2025, provided they don’t come across any new discoveries. But this is a very real possibility, because the underlying secrets of the last three rooms in the “old quarter” are still yet to be explored.
Click on our Instagram video below to see more images of the Palace frescos…
Three people have been tragically killed in an early morning car accident in the Louis II tunnel in Monaco.
The accident occurred at around 4.16am Saturday 1st April when a car lost control in the tunnel and hit the concrete wall near the Rainier III Auditorium.
According to a statement released by the Monaco Government, the vehicle immediately burst into flames with three occupants inside.
The fire was eventually brought under control by a team of 30 firefights from Monaco.
Heavy smoke from the accident spread to adjacent buildings, situated above the ‘Grand Prix tunnel’. Around 10 people were treated on site by emergency services.
“For the time being, the situation has stabilised and the Louis II Tunnel remains closed to traffic,” said the government in the statement released at 8.30am. “The Prince’s Government sends its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims.”
The tunnel was reopened to traffic at around 3.30pm.
An investigation into the cause of the fatal accident is underway.
Photo by Monaco Life
Planes, public transport and schools to be hit by 6th April strike
France’s unions are planning another round of strikes on Thursday 6th April, with the usual sectors due to bear the brunt.
The country’s eight largest unions are calling for workers to again walk out in sectors including aviation, public transport and schools, denouncing the “lack of response from the government to increasing tensions”.
“The inter-union calls on the millions of workers, young people and retirees to continue to mobilise,” reads a joint statement.
Full details of the Thursday 6th April strike, the 11th of its kind, are not likely to be revealed before Tuesday 4th April.
Ahead of Thursday’s strike, France’s civil aviation authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has asked airlines to cancel scores of flights at French airports on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April due to strike action by air traffic controllers.
The DGAC also encouraged those with travel plans to consider postponing their journey.
French civil aviation authorities asked airlines to cancel 20 percent of flights operating out of the Toulouse and Bordeaux airports on Saturday.
On Sunday, the DGAC requested that 25 percent of flights at Paris-Orly airport, and 20 percent of flights at the Toulouse, Bordeaux and Nantes airports, be cancelled.
Travellers should check with their airline to see whether their flight is still scheduled, particularly prior to leaving for the airport.
Photo by Monaco Life
Photos: Hundreds join Prince Albert for official launch of Kate Powers Foundation
The legacy of one of Monaco’s most beloved members of the community will live on in the Kate Powers Foundation, which has been officially launched in the presence of lifetime friend Prince Albert II of Monaco.
It was a packed house at Twiga on Tuesday 28th March as close to 400 members of the Monaco community came together for the official launch of her namesake foundation. It was a clear testament to how much they all loved and respected Kate Powers, including Prince Albert II of Monaco.
“It is wonderful to see so many familiar faces here, so many friends,” said Monaco’s Sovereign. “Your presence is a great testimony to Kate, to what she meant to us, and for what she did in her life. It’s all about giving back and helping others, and helping our planet as well. As she really embodied these values and this vision, I think we owe it to her to continue the work that she started with her family and many of you in this room.”
American-born Kate spent most of her life in the Principality after her mother, Jeanne Kelly, moved to Monaco to be with her friend Princess Grace. The Grimaldi and the Powers children grew up together.
As founder and owner of the popular former Stars n’ Bars family restaurant with her life partner Didier Rubiolo, Kate Powers was passionate about her local community and the environment. She passed away from cancer in August 2021, but her legacy to make the world a better place will live on.
Didier Rubiolo and Annette Anderson, former manager of Stars n’ Bars at the launch of the Kate Powers Foundation, photo credit Ed Wright Images
“Do what you love, love what you do, and make a difference”
During the official launch, President of the Kate Powers Foundation Rhonda Hudson relayed the moment that she and Kate decided to create the foundation in 2021.
“She looked at me and said, ‘Well I guess I could use a little help right now with all my ideas’, and she smiled,” revealed Rhonda. “She then asked me, ‘Why would people want to be a part of my foundation?’ and I repeated to her her most commonly used words: ‘Do what you love, love what you do, and make a difference’. The Kate Powers Foundation was created to serve the community of Monaco. We will continue Kate’s passions and desires by focusing on the environment, education and wellbeing in the Principality.”
Prince Albert with members of the Kate Powers Foundation board, photo credit Ed Wright Images
New water fountains to reduce single use plastic
Rhonda Hudson then announced the first project that the Kate Powers Foundation will undertake: the installation of drinking fountains at different locations throughout Monaco. It will help reduce the consumption of single-use plastic, something that was a key mission of the late Kate Powers. The aim is to place permanent, portable and temporary “Kate’s Fountains” throughout Monaco.
“These filtered drinking fountains will unite the community so we can all make an effort to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics,” said Rhonda. “We are excited to announce our collaboration for this project with the Water Smart Foundation.”
Prince Albert, his sister Caroline Princess of Hanover, and members of the Princely family gathered on Saturday night for one of the year’s biggest social events, the Bal de la Rose.
Guests were welcomed to the Salle des Etoiles at the Sporting for a night of Bollywood, the theme chosen by the Princess of Hanover, President of the Princess Grace Foundation, and realised by her friend Christian Louboutin.
Joining Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Princess of Hanover were her four children: Andrea and Pierre Casiraghi, with their wives Tatiana and Beatrice, Charlotte Casiraghi, and Princess Alexandra of Hanover with her partner Ben-Sylvester Strautmann.
Prince Albert II with Caroline, Princess of Hanover, with Christian Louboutin (far left) and SBM CEO Stephane Valeri (far right). Photo courtesy SBM/Palais Princier
Christian Louboutin had carte blanche for the high-profile event, and embraced the vibrant theme enthusiastically. “For this Bal de la Rose 2023, it seemed natural to me to combine the aesthetics of the Pink City of Jaipur, Rajasthan, with the extravagance and magnificence of Bollywood,” said the renowned shoe designer.
The Salle des Etoiles was transformed into a film studio in which Bollywood dancers took guests on a journey of song and dance, telling the story of Beauty, a young Indian woman, invited to participate in the Bal de la Rose for the first time. Unable to find a dress for the big day, Beauty faints, only to be awoken by a pair of beautiful Louboutin shoes.
The Salle des Etoiles for the Bal de la Rose 2023. Photo courtesy SBM
The colourful room was filled with 12,000 roses, and 6,000 French marigolds and carnations. A troupe of 31 Bollywood dancers entertained guests as they dined on an Indian-themed menu that included langoustine with mango pickles, black cod tandoori, and lamb korma curry, all washed down with Perrier Jouët Belle Epoque Champagne, Cuvee 2013.
Meanwhile, Mika took to the stage to perform some of his greatest hits, including Relax, Grace Kelly, and Love Today.
A raffle, hosted by Stéphane Bern, offered a number of exceptional prizes including an 18-carat white gold and diamond Chanel Lion necklace, Christian Louboutin ‘Peep Tosachi’ heels made from sari fabric, and a Louis Vuitton ‘Capucines’ bag in pearly pink leather with rose gold details.
Shirley Bassey and Isabel Pantoja were among the guests at the 67th Bal de la Rose. Photo courtesy SBM/Palais Princier
All money raised went towards the Princess Grace Foundation. Created in 1964 by Princess Grace, her foundation supports humanitarian and cultural projects in aid of children. After the death of Princess Grace in 1982, her husband Prince Rainier III gave the presidency of the foundation to their daughter Caroline, Princess of Hanover.
Before Christian Louboutin, it was Caroline’s late dear friend Karl Lagerfeld who was artistic director of the Bal de la Rose. The event was established in 1954 to launch the party season in the Principality of Monaco. Hosted by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), this Spring spectacular has become a not-to-be-missed event.
Click on the gallery below for more images of the Bal de la Rose 2023, and scroll down to watch the video. Photos/video courtesy SBM/Palais Princier…
