Monaco’s National Day celebrations unfolded today, marking two decades of prince Albert II’s reign and highlighting the continued unity of the grimaldi family. The festivities, steeped in tradition, featured a balcony appearance by the Prince and his family, as well as military honors and a performance by the Italian Carabinieri Fanfare – a nod to Monaco’s longstanding ties with its neighbor. The celebrations underscore a period of continuity and stability for the principality, as Prince Albert reflects on his first twenty years leading the historic nation.
National Day celebrations in the Principality featured a balcony appearance by the Royal Family. The Grimaldis were united as Prince Albert II marked two decades on the throne.
“It hasn’t always been easy, but I am satisfied with these twenty years of reign.” Prince Albert shared this sentiment with Corriere earlier this summer, reflecting on his accomplishments during two decades on the throne previously held by Prince Rainier III. When asked what helps him in the daily commitment of leading the Principality inherited from his father, he responded: “The support of Charlène and the entire family, with my sisters Caroline and Stéphanie.”
The Grimaldi family appeared more united than ever as they marked the occasion, gathering in the Cour d’Honneur of the palace for the military honors, culminating in the eagerly anticipated appearance of the Princes on the balcony. Twins Jacques, in uniform, and Princess Gabriella, in red, took center stage alongside their mother, Princess Charlène, dressed in white, mirroring the colors of the Principality’s flag.
To celebrate with the people of Monaco, Prince Albert also extended an invitation to the Italian Carabinieri, with the Fanfare of the Third Carabinieri Regiment of Lombardy performing. This gesture underscored the close ties between Monaco and Italy, a connection dating back to 1297 when Francesco Grimaldi, the founder of the dynasty, arrived from Genoa to the Rock of Monaco.
“The Rock was impregnable, so he played the surprise card. And he was shrewd. He used intelligence where force wouldn’t have allowed him to succeed. Cunningly, with that gesture, he sent a message: even if you aren’t the strongest, you can win with your mind,” Pierre Casiraghi told Corriere in a recent interview. Alongside his wife, Beatrice Borromeo, and brother Andrea, he founded Astrea Films, which will also bring the story of the Grimaldis of Monaco to the screen. “Yes, we are developing a project about the history of Monaco, to tell it to the public.” Monaco is Europe’s longest-reigning dynasty, beginning with the Italian Francesco Grimaldi, nicknamed “Malizia” (Cunning), who conquered the Rock disguised as a monk. The monks on the family’s coat of arms serve as a reminder of this history.
And the Carabinieri Fanfare performed classic Neapolitan songs in front of the palace, with the Grimaldi family watching from the famous balcony: from “Funiculì, Funiculà” to “O sole mio” and then the “Tarantella,” concluding with “La Fedelissima.” “A surprise to me as well that these songs were chosen from the repertoire,” Manuela Ruosi, Italy’s Ambassador to Monaco, told Corriere, noting her Neapolitan origins. “Last night at the diplomatic reception at the palace, we spoke at length with the Prince about the close ties between our two countries: today there are 9,000 Italians residing in the Principality, in addition to 7,000 cross-border commuters who come here to work every day. And in 2026, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Italian Embassy in Monaco, alongside the French – the only two resident ambassadors.”
The Milan Carabinieri Fanfare, founded in 1820, shortly after the founding of the Royal Carabinieri Corps, is a true musical ambassador for Italy around the world. It has undertaken numerous tours in Europe, Asia, and North America, and since 2010 has been led by Chief Marshal Andrea Bagnolo, who directed the music for the Prince’s family today.
This morning, a solemn Te Deum mass was held at St. Nicholas Cathedral, where all major events in the Grimaldi family have been celebrated: the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly in 1956, which cemented the glamorous history of the 20th century, and later, the farewell to Princess Grace, as well as the christening of twins Jacques and Gabriella. Prince Albert and Princess Charlène, along with Princesses Caroline and Stéphanie, were present at this morning’s service.
Twenty years of reign celebrated with what the Prince calls “the Monegasque family” in the square of the Palais. Although the Prince insists that the grand celebration will be in five years, for the Jubilee of the reign. His father, Rainier III, marked a quarter-century milestone in a similar fashion.
“The Grimaldi family is very close to Prince Albert, and this is evident in this National Day celebration, and Princess Charlène is very present this autumn in the life of the Principality as it prepares for the festivities for Christmas and the traditional Rally in January,” says Lia Riva, the lady of the motorboats. Her father, Carlo Riva, carved the tunnel that has protected the most beautiful boats in the Port of Monaco for decades.
All of the Prince’s grandchildren are present for Monaco’s National Day, starting with Charlotte. Alongside her are her brothers Andrea and Pierre Casiraghi, Alexandra of Hanover, who is increasingly involved in the life of the Principality, and cousins Louis and Camille and Pauline. And there is also Beatrice Borromeo, mother this summer to their third child, little Bianca Carolina Marta, the eighth grandchild of Princess Caroline.
On the balcony of the Palace are India Casiraghi, her mother Tatiana Santo Domingo with her husband Andrea Casiraghi. And there are all the new generations: Francesco Carlo Alberto Casiraghi, Raphael Elmaleh, Balthazar Casiraghi-Rassam, Stefano Ercole Carlo Casiraghi.
The new Minister of State began his mandate in Monaco on July 21st. The Prince appointed the new minister, Christophe Mirmand, by sovereign ordinance on July 2nd, with the oath-taking taking place in the Hall of Mirrors at the palace with Albert and Princess Charlène.
In the evening, the traditional gala at the Opéra Garnier, the theater named after the Parisian architect Charles Garnier (the same as the Opéra in the City of Lights). The jewel in the crown of the SBM’s real estate and hotel treasure, the historic Société des Bains de Mer et Cercle des étrangers, the Opéra was led by Raoul Gunsburg from 1892 to 1951: he was also the first artistic director of the Société, with the support of Prince Albert I, the current Prince Albert II’s grandfather.
The evening, entitled Bonsoir Monte-Carlo, was particularly special as it was dedicated to the “Black Venus” of the early 20th century, Joséphine Baker, who made her debut in 1925 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron wanted her among those remembered in the Panthéon, but Monaco has never allowed Baker’s remains to leave the small cemetery in Monaco where she rests. Princess Grace supported Baker in the later years of her life.
Monaco celebrates National Day, which remained, even under Prince Albert, on Saint Rainier’s Day, November 19th, as it did during the long reign of Prince Rainier III, who married Grace Kelly.
On the eve of the celebrations, the diplomatic reception saw the first appearance of the new U.S. Ambassador, Donald Trump’s son-in-law: the new ambassador’s name is certainly noteworthy – Charles Kushner, father of Jared, husband of Ivanka. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène received him at the palace for the presentation of credentials just weeks ago.
And yesterday also marked the presentation of honors and recognition from the Grimaldi chivalric orders, distributed by the Prince as is tradition on National Day. Among those awarded medals for education and sport was Louis Ducruet. He is the son of Princess Stéphanie, who is increasingly close to her uncle Albert, and frequently accompanies him at sporting events – from the Formula 1 Grand Prix to matches at the Stade Louis II in the Principality. Louis, who studied sports management in London and gained experience working with several football teams, is now president of the Les Barbagiuans football team in Monaco.
Princess Stéphanie, Louis’s mother, was also honored for her contribution to the cultural life of the Principality. And she was presented with the award by her older sister Caroline, who has always played the role of guardian of culture in the Principality.
