Prince Albert II was among friends and compatriots for the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Yacht Club de Monaco, of which he has served as president since 1984.
The ceremony on Saturday 24th June was attended by 1,500 people who gathered on the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM)’s quay to celebrate 70 years of the club created by Prince Rainier III, who was convinced that “the future of Monaco lies with the sea”.
On Saturday, it was his son, Prince Albert II, president for close to 40 years, who honoured what the YCM has become.
“The Yacht Club de Monaco has been able to preserve and pass on the traditions linked to life at sea while promoting innovation and the development of yachting,” said the Prince.
Achievements under the presidency of Prince Albert II
Under Prince Albert’s presidency, the Yacht Club de Monaco has organised a multitude of world-renowned events, including Monaco Classic Week, a biennial event that echoes the first motorboat meetings of 1904 and is the only event of its kind that brings together beautiful traditional sailing boats with vintage motoryachts and old motorboats.
The club has also created the La Belle Classe label to unite owners around the essential values of respect for etiquette, protecting the environment, preserving maritime heritage and encouraging innovation in the superyacht sector.
The capital of luxury yachting
In 2014, the YCM turned a new page in its history with the opening of a new clubhouse designed by Lord Foster. The arrival of this spectacular building led to the creation of the ‘Yachting Monaco’ cluster, aimed at reaffirming the Principality’s position as the capital of luxury yachting.
During Saturday’s celebrations, Prince Albert spoke about how the YCM serves as a reflection of his father’s passion for the sea. “His vision was to make the YCM an exclusive place where yachting is experienced, appreciated and celebrated, thus contributing to the promotion of Monaco as a destination.”
Setting the pace in sustainable yachting
Prince Albert also highlighted the fact that the protection of the oceans remains one of the Yacht Club’s main priorities, and how the environmental transition played by the club and its marina has over the years made them demonstrators of new eco-responsible solutions.
“I want to make environmental issues a priority and we must continue to be a beacon for the nautical industry,” he said. “The mobilisation must be common and total.”
The Yacht Club’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the activities that fall under the aegis of the ‘Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting’, starting with the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge from 3rd to 8th July 2023, now in its 10th edition. More than 500 young engineers representing 25 nations and 25 universities will meet industry professionals including key players such as Oceanco, Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Lürssen, Monaco Marine and Palumbo SY Refit.
This will be followed by the 3rd Monaco Smart and Sustainable Marina Rendezvous on 24th and 25th September, with the aim of presenting innovative solutions for the development of sustainable marinas.
A tribute to Prince Rainier III
As part of the 70th anniversary celebrations, as well as the centenary events marking the birth of Prince Rainier III, Prince Albert inaugurated a photographic exhibition at the YCM titled ‘Prince Rainier III, a sailor above all’.
The evening also provided an opportunity to officially welcome some 30 new members and to unveil the highlights of this anniversary year.
To watch a 70th anniversary commemorative video by the YCM, click here.
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Feature photo source: YCM