This September 27, Prince Albert II of Monaco continued his visits to Rome. The Monegasque sovereign’s trip to the Italian capital follows a busy program, alternating official, cultural and historical visits to a church, the Corsini Palace and the Colonna Palace.
Read also: Charles de Courson, grandson of princess and cousin of Prince Albert II of Monaco
Prince Albert inaugurates the new offices of the Monaco Embassy in Rome
Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived in Rome this Thursday, concentrating his first day’s visits near Pincio Hill. The second day of his trip began in the new administrative premises of the Monaco embassy in Italy. The sovereign prince was invited to inaugurate the offices, Anne Eastwood, Monaco’s ambassador to Italy. The inauguration was followed by a bilateral meeting between the delegations of Monaco and Italy at the Italian parliament.
Prince Albert then went to the Church of Saint-Louis-des-Français, the national church of the French in Rome, located near the Pantheon. This church is a popular tourist spot, due to the three large works of Caravaggio that adorn the walls. Prince Albert unveiled a commemorative plaque there which recalls that the funeral of his ancestor, Prince Louis I, was celebrated there in 1701.
Read also: Prince Albert II returns to the lands of his ancestors with Duke Polignac in Haute-Loire
In the footsteps of Prince Louis I of Monaco in Rome
Under the reign of Honoré II, Monaco had just pledged allegiance to France, after having abandoned its protection which was formerly provided by Spain. The King of Spain had nevertheless elevated Monaco to the rank of Principality. Prince Louis, grandson of Honoré II, had this first name in honor of the kings of France, of whom King Louis XIV was also the godfather. Louis I succeeded his grandfather at a young age and strengthened the ties that unite Monaco with France by becoming French ambassador to the Holy See. During his short mandate, which began in 1699, Louis I resided at the Corsini Palace.
Prince Albert II took charge of the Corsini Palace where Louis I lived from 1699 until his death in 1701. On site, Prince Albert unveiled a second commemorative plaque. The Prince’s Palace adds that there already exists a commemorative plaque in this Roman palace, due to another famous occupant. Queen Christina of Sweden lived in this same palace two centuries later.
During his visit, Prince Albert was able to admire the important collection of works of art from the Italian national collections. One painting, in particular, caught the sovereign’s attention. A painting comes from the collection of works that belonged to Prince Jacques 1st of Monaco.
Read also: Prince Albert II on a cultural visit to Mount Pincio in Rome
Celebration of 15 years of the Italian branch of the Prince Albert II Foundation
Prince Albert’s afternoon was dedicated to celebrations of the 15th anniversary of the creation of the Italian branch of the Prince Albert II Foundation. The festivities were organized at Villa Farnesina, headquarters of the National Academy of Lycéens. It is the oldest scientific academy in the world, founded in 1603. The term Lyncéan is a noun created from the word “lynx”, in reference to the animal’s keen eyesight, which is a necessary characteristic for scientists .
A memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of Prince Albert II, sealing a new collaboration between the Academy and the Sovereign’s Foundation. A conference was then organized by the Italian branch of the Foundation, entitled “Building tomorrow: the value of ethics and pragmatism in environmental sustainability”. This conference aimed to encourage in-depth reflection on the importance of an ethical approach to sustainability, while exploring pragmatic solutions for a sustainable future on a global scale, explains the Prince’s Palace.
In the evening, a gala was organized at the Colonna Palace on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Italian branch of the Prince Albert II Foundation. The foundations of this palace date from the 14th century. The palace was built by the very powerful Colonna family, as a family residence in Rome. Illustrious members lived there. Pope Martin V, born Oddone Colonna, made it his papal residence during his pontificate in the 15th century. The palace has gone through many phases of construction and its famous gallery was built in the 17th century.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor-in-chief
Nicolas Fontaine has been a designer-editor and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in royal family news, Nicolas founded the site Histoires royales of which he is the editor-in-chief. [email protected]
