Tag Archives: Princess Akiko of Mikasa

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco Attend the 14th Edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Final as Singapore Wins the Tournament

  • 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 afternoon in Fontvieille, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, and Mr. Gareth Wittstock attended the final of the 14th edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Tournament at the Stade Louis-II.

Organized by the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, with the support of the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby, the annual tournament brings together youth teams from around the world, promoting the values of discipline, teamwork, and inclusion through sport.

A total of 24 teams representing 23 nations participated in this year’s two-day competition, including delegations from South Africa, Argentina, Japan, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. The 2026 edition marked the first participation of a team from Japan, reflecting the tournament’s continued international reach.

The final saw Singapore defeat England by four tries to one, securing victory in the 14th edition of the tournament.

At the conclusion of the tournament, awards were presented to teams and individual participants. Singapore received the Tournament trophy, presented by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II. The Most Valuable Player award was presented to Usha Hemalatha Munda of India by Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, while Japan received the Fair Play Award, presented by Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene.

Imperial Family of Japan, Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Princess Akiko of Mikasa Opens Journée du Japon à Monaco: Celebrating 20 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between Japan and Monaco

  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck

In the quartier of Larvotto, Monaco, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Mr. Louis Ducruet, presided over the opening ceremony of Journée du Japon à Monaco, held along the esplanade of the Grimaldi Forum.

The event forms part of commemorations marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Principality of Monaco. Formal ties between the two countries were established on December 14th, 2006, and have since developed through sustained cultural exchange and official visits between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Princely Family of Monaco.

The main program, staged along the esplanade of the Grimaldi Forum, featured a Japanese handicrafts exhibition alongside cultural presentations highlighting both traditional and contemporary Japanese arts, including musical and dance performances. The program also included demonstrations and workshops introducing traditional techniques, including washi paper crafting. 

Additional activities are taking place at the Jardin Japonais in Larvotto, extending the program across multiple sites and underscoring the cultural dimension of the bilateral anniversary.

The initiative reflects the continued emphasis placed by both Japan and the Principality of Monaco on cultural diplomacy as a means of strengthening bilateral relations.

This evening,  the Princess will attend the 70th edition of the Bal de la Rose to be held inside the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo.

Imperial Family of Japan, Monaco Princely Family, Princely Family of Monaco

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco Open the 14th Edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Tournament

  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck
  • Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco/Sarah Steck

In Fontvieille, Their Serene Highnesses Albert II of Monaco and Charlene of Monaco, accompanied by Her Serene Highness Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, and Mr. Gareth Wittstock, attended the opening ceremony of the 14th edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Tournament at Stade Louis-II.

Organized by the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, with the support of the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby, the annual tournament brings together youth teams from around the world, promoting the values of discipline, teamwork, and inclusion through sport.

A total of 24 teams representing 23 nations are participating in this year’s two-day competition, including delegations from South Africa, Argentina, Japan, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. The 2026 edition marks the first participation of a team from Japan, reflecting the tournament’s expanding international reach.

Princess Akiko of Mikasa, President of the Japan Rugby Football Union and an official guest of the Princely Couple, attended the opening events alongside the princely family. Princess Charlene, who serves as President of the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby, emphasized the broader significance of the tournament.

“Rugby is a remarkable school of life, and the Sainte-Dévote Tournament is a vehicle for peace,” she said. “On the field, young players from diverse cultures discover solidarity, humility, and trust in others. These are values that extend far beyond sport.”

The opening ceremony featured a parade of nations followed by the Monégasque national anthem, after which the first matches were held on the Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco pitches.

Earlier in the day, the initiative Rugby for All introduced schoolchildren from across the Principality, as well as young adults with disabilities, to the sport, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to accessibility and social inclusion.

Imperial Family of Japan

H.I.H. Princess Akiko of Mikasa Confirmed to Visit Luxembourg and Monaco During Nine-Day European Tour.

  • Photo courtesy of the Kunaichō (Imperial Household Agency)

The Kunaichō (the Imperial Household Agency) announced that Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa will carry out a nine-day visit to Europe beginning on March 17th.

During her visit, the Princess will deliver a lecture on Tuesday, March 17th, at the Musée Dräi Eechelen in Luxembourg City. The event is organised by the Embassy of Japan in Luxembourg in collaboration with the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Art of Luxembourg.

Entitled The Art of Copying: Creating Reproductions for the West, the lecture will examine how Japanese works of art have historically been reproduced, studied, and presented outside of Japan. In Japanese art history, copying has long been regarded not as mere imitation but as a respected method of preserving artistic knowledge and transmitting cultural traditions across generations and borders.

The lecture is free of charge, although advance registration is required due to limited seating.

On Friday, March 20th, the Princess, who serves as Honorary President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, will attend the 14th edition of the Sainte-Dévote Rugby Tournament at the Stade Louis II in the quartier of Fontvieille in Monaco.

The international youth tournament brings together teams from around the world and promotes the educational and social values of sport. The annual event is organised in partnership with the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, established by Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco.

On Saturday, March 21st, Princess Akiko will preside over the opening ceremony of Journée du Japon à Monaco at the Jardin Japonais in the quartier of Larvotto in Monaco.

The event forms part of celebrations marking the twentieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Principality of Monaco and Japan. The two countries established formal diplomatic ties on December 14th, 2006, and have since developed cooperation through cultural exchanges and official visits between the Princely Family of Monaco and the Imperial Family of Japan.

In the evening, the Princess will attend the 70th edition of the Bal de la Rose to be held inside the Salle des Étoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo in the quartier of Larvotto in Monaco.

Princess Akiko’s visit reflects the continuing cultural and diplomatic exchanges between Japan and several European countries. Members of the Imperial Family of Japan frequently undertake academic, cultural, and charitable engagements abroad, which contribute to promoting Japanese culture and strengthening international ties.