Recently, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the Croix Rouge Monégasque graduation ceremony held at the Auditorium Rainier III in Monte-Carlo.
On Tuesday, the sovereign prince arrived at the Stade Louis II in Monaco to attend the “…UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Arsenal…”
And, that’s it. 🙂
On Tuesday, March 17, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived at the Maison des Océans in Paris, France to attend the conference, The Arctic as an Early Warning Sentinel of Climate Change.
According to a press release the purpose of today’s conference is to discuss the:
“…serious climate change in the Arctic, where temperature increase occurs twice as fast as the average global temperature. [Discussions during today’s event will also] reaffirm the need to reach an ambitious agreement at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference. It will also emphasize to civil societies and economic actors the urgent need for low-carbon development.”
On February 21, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the Thunderbolt Monte-Carlo Bonanza held inside the Salle des Etoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo. During last Saturday’s event the sovereign prince along with hundreds of boxing fans watched as Mr. Gennady Golovkin and Mr. Martin Murray beat the crap out of each other for the WBA World Championship Middleweight title. Or, something like that…
On Thursday, February 19, 2015, Their Serene Highness Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco arrived at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco to attend a cocktail party in honor of the births of the princely twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. The event was organized by the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco (FPCM).
According to the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco money raised during last evening’s gathering will be donated to the FPCM which:
“…implements ‘Learn to Swim, ‘Water Safety’ and ‘Sport and Education’ programmes worldwide.
One of the main projects for 2015 is the ‘South Africa – Monaco Rugby Exchange’. Underprivileged South African children, who were chosen based on their athletic achievements, have been invited to the Saint Devote Rugby Tournament which will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2015, thanks to a collaboration with the South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA).
The Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco will be welcoming this team to the Principality and will in turn be able to send a Monegasque team to South Africa this coming summer.
Both the Monegasque and South African children will take part in academic and social activities in order to broaden their understanding of different cultures and lifestyles.”
Photos courtesy of the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco
On the morning of January 27, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco celebrated Mass, presided over by Archbishop André Marceau, at the Cathédrale de Monaco in celebration of day two of the Fête (Feast) of Sainte Dévote.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images/D. Baverel
On the evening of Monday, January 26, 2015, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended a special Mass at the Eglise Sainte Dévote in celebration of the Fête de Sainte-Dévote. Sainte-Dévote is the patron Saint of the Princely Family of Monaco, the Monégasques, and the Diocese of Monaco.
Here is the story/legend of Sainte-Dévote:
Tradition holds that she was a Corsican woman born around 283 AD at Mariana. A young virgin, she had decided to devote herself fully to the service of God. By order of the prefect Barbarus, she was imprisoned and tortured for her faith. She was martyred at Mariana by being stoned to death.
After her death, the governor of the province ordered for her body to be burnt to prevent its veneration. However, it was saved from the flames by Christians. Her body was placed on a boat bound for Africa. Gratianus (Graziano), the boat’s pilot; Benedict (Benenato), a priest; and Apollinaris, his deacon; believed it would receive proper Christian burial there. However, a storm overtook the boat and a dove flew out from the mouth of the saint. The dove guided the boat to present-day Les Gaumates, today part of the Principality of Monaco, where a chapel dedicated to Saint George already stood.
Her body was discovered by fishermen. In her honor a chapel was built, which stands in Monaco still. Traditionally, flowers are said to bloom before their season on January 27, the Saint’s Feast Day.
After the Mass the princely couple along with Archbishop Bernard Barsi, members of the Diocese of Monaco, various Monégasque government officials as well as citizens participated in the traditional burning of the boat in front of the Eglise Sainte-Dévote.
Tomorrow — per tradition — the princely family will attend a traditional Mass at the Cathédrale de Monaco then a balcony wave from the Palais Princier de Monaco.
If you missed this evening’s Mass you may watch it again here.
Embed from Getty Images
Photo courtesy of Getty Images/V.Hache
On Sunday, January 25, 2015, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the 83rd Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo award ceremony held at the Palais Princier de Monaco.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images/V.Hache
The Royal Correspondent 