On the evening of Wednesday, April 13, 2022, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco sent a thank you video message during the 23rd Annual Stars of Stony Brook Gala held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Unfortunately, Prince Albert II was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 (which was made public via press release from the Palais Princier de Monaco yesterday morning) and therefore could not attend last night’s gala.

The Stony Brook trustees honored the sovereign prince for his dedication to ocean conservation and sustainability through his personal foundation, Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco (FPA). Since it was founded, the FPA has awarded over $1 billion in philanthropy to a number of worthy environmental organizations. Moreover, Prince Albert II guides sustainable policies implemented by his government for the principality to be carbon neutral by 2050.

The sovereign prince has been honored by organizations around the world for his contributions and actions in favor of protecting the environment. A five-time Olympian in bobsleigh, the sovereign prince is also a current member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the chair of the IOC Sustainable and Legacy Commission.

Established in 2000, the Stars of Stony Brook Gala has raised more than $64 million for scholarships and programs of academic and clinical excellence. Proceeds from the April 13 gala will be dedicated entirely to student scholarships. This year’s gala honorees are stars in the arenas of fighting climate change and computer science and electrical engineering.