Daily Archives: April 8, 2026

Headlines, Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Prince Albert II of Monaco Meets Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset Ahead of the Principality of Monaco’s Presidency

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  • 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.

Dutch Royal Family, Royal Family of the Netherlands

Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, Begins Military Training with Royal Netherlands Air Force Under Defensity College Program

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Photo courtesy of Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD)

In Den Haag, Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (RVD) announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, has begun a work-study placement with the Royal Netherlands Air Force as part of the Defensity College program.

The program enables university students to combine their studies with part-time service as military reservists, while strengthening the connection between the armed forces and Dutch society. Participants undertake practical assignments alongside structured military training within the Ministerie van Defensie (Ministry of Defense).

The Princess’s participation follows the completion of her initial general military training on January 23rd, 2026, after which she was promoted to the rank of corporal. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Dutch law at the University of Amsterdam, while continuing her involvement with the armed forces.

Her placement forms part of a longstanding association between the royal family of the Netherlands and the military. This relationship is rooted in the history of the House of Orange-Nassau and dates back to William of Orange (1533–1584), also known as William the Silent, who led the early phase of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish Habsburg rule from 1568 until his assassination in 1584, during the conflict later known as the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648).

In the modern era, members of the royal family have continued to undertake military training. As Prince of Orange, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands performed his military service in the Royal Netherlands Navy from August 1985 to January 1987, training at the Royal Netherlands Naval College in Den Helder before serving aboard the frigates HNLMS Tromp and HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen. He later completed refresher training in 1988 as a duty officer on board HNLMS Van Kinsbergen. After graduating from Leiden University, he obtained his Military Pilot’s License with 334 Transport Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force and, in 1994, attended the Netherlands Defense College, where he studied aspects of the work of the armed forces.

Princess Catharina-Amalia’s current placement continues this tradition, combining academic study with structured military experience within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.