Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Frédéric Nebinger
This morning, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene presided over the inauguration of a newly completed maternity block at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, located in the Jardin Exotique quartier.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque within the obstetric emergency unit, followed by a tour of the facility. Accompanied by the Minister of the State of the Principality of Monaco, Mr. Christophe Mirmand, the Director of the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, Ms. Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, and the Chief of the Maternity Department at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, Professor Bruno Carbonne, the Princely Couple visited several of the newly developed spaces, including a double parental room, a birthing suite, a hydrotherapy room, and upgraded obstetric care units.
The redevelopment forms part of a broader modernization of the hospital’s maternity services, with a focus on improving care for mothers and newborns through updated, family-centered facilities.
The inauguration follows the recent opening of the hospital’s Parent-Child Unit and represents a further step in the establishment of a comprehensive Mother and Child center at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace.
Press release courtesy of the office of Prince Charles-Philippe and Princess Naomi d’Orléans, Duke and Duchess d’Anjou
This afternoon, it was announced that Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles-Philippe and Princess Naomi d’Orléans, Duke and Duchess d’Anjou, welcomed their first child, a daughter, on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026.
The Prince and Princess named their daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Élisabeth Victoire Jeanne Marie d’Orléans. She was born at 9:18 a.m. at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace in the Jardin Exotique quartier of the Principality of Monaco. Mother and child are doing well.
In a press release, the Prince and Princess expressed their deep gratitude to the staff of the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace for the care and attention received, and in particular Professor Guillaume Benoist.
They also expressed their deep gratitude to all those who, with such kindness and generosity, have sent messages of support and congratulations since the announcement of the pregnancy.
Prince Charles-Philippe and Princess Naomi d’Orléans, Duke and Duchess d’Anjou, married on September 9th, 2023, and divide their time between the Principality of Monaco and the South of France.
Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, Duc d’Anjou, is a member of the House of Orléans, a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. He is a direct descendant of King Louis-Philippe I, who reigned from 1830 to 1848 and was the last king of the French.
According to his official biography, Prince Charles-Philippe served for twelve years in the Infanterie de Marine, undertaking operational missions abroad and contributing to strategic planning and civil–military coordination. His military service laid the groundwork for subsequent responsibilities in institutional leadership and international development.
He holds a Master’s degree in Communication Institutionnelle from l’Université Paris-Sorbonne, as well as a second Master’s degree in Intelligence Économique from EISTI. His professional pursuits include founding a consultancy in economic intelligence and directing renewable-energy development projects in sub-Saharan Africa. He also serves as special advisor to the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco in relation to international development missions.
Culturally, Prince Charles-Philippe is the author of three historical novels and serves as President of the Prix littéraire Hugues Capet, an institution dedicated to the preservation and study of Capetian heritage. He previously served as Grand Maître of the Ordre Militaire et Hospitalier de Saint-Lazare de Jérusalem (2004–2010) and now holds the honorary dignity of Grand Maître émérite. He also serves as Grand Prieur de France within the Order.
Prince Charles-Philippe was previously married to Diana Álvares Pereira de Melo, the 11th Duchess of Cadaval. Together, they have one child, Her Royal Highness Princess Isabelle d’Orléans, born on February 22nd, 2012, in Portugal. The Princess’s godparents are His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain and Princess Dora Loewenstein.
Princess Naomi d’Orléans, Duchess d’Anjou, was born Naomi-Valeska Salz in 1981 to Wolfgang and Karola Salz. The Princess holds a Master’s degree in Economics, as noted in her official biography, and has pursued a professional career in economic strategy and consultancy. Prior to her marriage to Prince Charles-Philippe, she was married to the German fashion designer Otto Kern, who died in 2017.
Since her marriage to Prince Charles-Philippe, Princess Naomi has undertaken public duties alongside the Prince, contributing to cultural, charitable, and representational activities associated with the Orléans branch of the historic Capetian dynasty.
My warmest congratulations to Prince Charles-Philippe and Princess Naomi d’Orléans on the birth of their daughter.
This morning, the Royal Household of Denmark announced the passing of Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson, father of Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark. He was 84 years old.
Professor Donaldson passed away in Hobart, Tasmania.
In a statement, Her Majesty the Queen wrote:
“My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are grey. My beloved father has passed away. But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me.”
Born in Scotland on September 5th, 1941, Professor Donaldson was a Scottish-born Australian academic whose career was closely associated with the University of Tasmania in Hobart. He served as Professor of Applied Mathematics and was known for his work in statistics and numerical analysis, as well as for mentoring generations of students.
He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science with honours in Mathematics and Physics. Later that year, on August 31st, he married Henrietta Clark Horne in Port Seton, Scotland. The couple emigrated to Tasmania in November 1963, where Professor Donaldson continued his academic career.
In 1967, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics at the University of Tasmania under the supervision of Professor David Elliott. He subsequently joined the academic staff, serving as a lecturer in Applied Mathematics before later being appointed Dean of the Faculty of Science, a position he held until his retirement.
His academic work focused particularly on numerical analysis, and his career demonstrated a sustained commitment to both research and teaching within the Australian university system.
Professor Donaldson and his first wife had four children: Jane Donaldson Stevens, Patricia Donaldson Bailey, John Stuart Donaldson Jr., and Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, now Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark.
Henrietta Donaldson passed away on November 20th, 1997. He later married the British-born novelist Susan Elizabeth Horwood, known under the pen name Susan Moody.
Professor Donaldson is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren, including the four children of Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark.
A private memorial service for the late Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson will be held at a later date.
My deepest condolences to the late Professor Donaldson’s family and friends.
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Photos courtesy of Royal Office for Media of the Royal Government of Bhutan
On Friday, Their Majesties King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan, accompanied by their sons, His Royal Highness Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan and His Royal Highness Prince Ugyen Wangchuck of Bhutan, attended the opening of the 6th volunteer Zhabto program at Gelephu Mindfulness City, a five-day initiative bringing together thousands of participants from across the Kingdom of Bhutan and abroad.
The program includes volunteers from religious institutions, public service, and the private sector, engaged in coordinated work across designated areas of the site, with activities focused on land preparation, environmental management, and infrastructure groundwork within the broader development of the city.
On the opening day, Queen Jetsun Pema attended a ground-breaking ceremony for Druk Ugyen Samyeling, a planned center for Buddhist practice and study.
The project is intended as a dedicated space for contemplative and communal activity within the wider development.
King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck also visited a site designated for the development of a future golf course at Gelephu Mindfulness City, where the initial planning phase is now underway.
The visit marked the formal commencement of the design process, with the project forming part of the city’s broader long-term development framework.
On Saturday, Their Majesties, joined by their children, including Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Yangden Wangchuck of Bhutan, participated alongside volunteers within Gelephu Mindfulness City on the second day of the program. Work continued across designated areas, focusing on land clearing, site preparation, and environmental maintenance in support of planned infrastructure, green spaces, and religious developments.
Poster courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Visite du Palais Princier de Monaco
On Friday, the Palais Princier de Monaco announced the opening of the exhibition Le mariage du siècle: Monaco. 12–19 Avril 1956, to be presented in the Grands Appartements of the Palais Princier de Monaco from June 8th to October 15th, 2026.
The exhibition is being held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the marriage of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Miss Grace Kelly, which took place in April 1956, three months after the announcement of their engagement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bringing together photographs, film material, garments, accessories, gifts, and archival documents, the exhibition examines the sequence of events surrounding the wedding, from the arrival of Miss Grace Kelly to the Principality of Monaco on April 12th, 1956, to the couple’s departure for their honeymoon on April 19th, 1956, situating the ceremonies within the broader context of their international reception.
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
On Friday, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco attended an event at the Jardins Saint-Martin in Monaco-Ville marking the 10th anniversary of the campaign Des Fleurs pour les Abeilles.
The Sovereign Prince was joined by the founder of the Observatoire Français d’Apidologie, Mr. Thierry Dufresne, and its vice-president, Mr. Arnaud Dufresne, as well as a group of students from l’Institution François d’Assise–Nicolas Barré, who had previously taken part in educational activities on the role of bees in pollination.
A commemorative photograph was taken to mark the anniversary of the initiative, launched in 2017 by the Observatoire Français d’Apidologie with the support of the Sovereign Prince and the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco.
The campaign encourages the public to plant nectar-rich flowers to support bee populations and promote biodiversity. It forms part of broader efforts to address the decline in pollinators through public participation and environmental education.
Since its inception, more than 1.5 million seed packets have been distributed, contributing to the creation of flowering areas in a range of settings.
The 10th edition of the campaign is scheduled to take place from May 9th to 24th, 2026, and continues to emphasize the role of individual action in environmental conservation.
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Michaël Alesi
In Monaco-Ville, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Alain Berset, in the Salon de Famille at the Palais Princier de Monaco.
The meeting was held in the presence of the Directeur de Cabinet, Mr. Olivier Wenden, the Conseiller de Gouvernement-Ministre des Relations Extérieures et de la Coopération, Ms. Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, and the Ambassadeur représentant permanent de Monaco auprès du Conseil de l’Europe, His Excellency Mr. Gabriel Revel.
Secretary General Berset was accompanied by the Directrice adjointe de Cabinet du Secrétariat général, Ms. Natacha de Roeck, and the Conseiller au sein du Cabinet du Secrétariat général, Mr. Thibault Curmi.
Discussions focused on major European issues, with particular emphasis on the promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, which constitute the core mandate of the Council of Europe. The meeting also addressed the Principality of Monaco’s priorities in advance of its presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
The Principality of Monaco will assume the presidency from May 15th to November 10th, 2026, marking the first time the Principality has held the role since it acceded to the Council of Europe on October 5th, 2004.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Sovereign Prince elevated Secretary General Alain Berset to the rank of Commandeur de l’Ordre de Saint-Charles.
Founded on March 15th, 1858, by Charles III of Monaco, the Ordre de Saint-Charles is one of the Principality of Monaco’s principal orders of merit. It is conferred in recognition of eminent services rendered to the State and to the Sovereign Prince. The order is awarded across several ranks, Chevalier, Officier, Commandeur, Grand Officier, and Grand-Croix, and remains a central element of the Principality of Monaco’s system of honors, reflecting the Principality’s longstanding traditions of state distinction and service.
Today’s visit forms part of preparations for the Principality of Monaco’s forthcoming presidency, during which the Principality is expected to advance its engagement in multilateral cooperation and the institutional work of the Council of Europe.
The Royal Correspondent 