The Monegasque national holiday is in full swing this November 19, in the main courtyard of the princely palace. As every year, after the religious ceremony, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, accompanied by their twins Jacques and Gabriella, participate in the ceremony of awarding military insignia and ranks, in the presence of all members of the Grimaldi family.
Read also: The princely family gathered around Albert II and Charlene at Monaco Cathedral for the national holiday
Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and their twins continue the celebrations in the Court of Honor of the princely palace
November 19, the enthronement day of Prince Rainier III and the feast day of Blessed Rainier of Arezzo, a Franciscan monk from the 14th century, is the national holiday in Monaco. The national holiday is also Sovereign’s Day, a day dedicated to honoring the strong bond that unites Monegasques to their sovereign and his family. The national holiday begins with a mass and a Te Deum at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Monaco, Catholicism being the state religion of the Principality.
Read also: Princess Charlène and Princess Caroline as queens of the night at the Monaco National Day 2022 gala
After the mass in the presence of adult members of the princely family, the Grimaldis join the Court of Honor of the princely palace, where the second part of this day of celebration takes place: the ceremony of presentation of honors, followed by a parade that the family observes from the balconies of the palace. The children of the princely family are invited to this ceremony.
Hereditary Prince Jacques and his twin sister, Princess Gabriella, were present near their mother, Princess Charlene, while their father presented the regalia. The twins will celebrate their 10th birthday in less than a month. Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stephanie stood next to them. The children and grandchildren of Prince Albert’s sisters were lined up on the other side of the main courtyard. Since 2019, Hereditary Prince Jacques has attended National Day events in a rifle uniform.
Read also: Jacques of Monaco in police uniform for the first time and Gabriella in red for Monaco’s National Day 2022
The princely family attends the ceremony of awarding military insignia and ranks
Andrea Casiraghi, eldest son of Princess Caroline, was present with his wife, Tatiana Santo Domingo and their three children, Sacha, India and Maximilian Casiraghi. His younger sister, Charlotte Casiraghi, was present with her two sons, Raphaël Elmaleh and Balthazar Rassam. Pierre Casiraghi, third of the siblings, was accompanied by his wife, Beatrice Borromeo, and their two sons, Stefano and Francesco Casiraghi. Finally, Princess Alexandra of Hanover, half-sister of the previous ones and last daughter of Princess Caroline was present, not far from her cousins, the children of Princess Stéphanie. Louis Ducruet was next to his sister, Pauline Ducruet, and their half-sister, Camille Gottlieb.
Read also: Beatrice Borromeo resplendent in gold at the Monaco National Day 2022 gala
The ceremony takes place in five phases: military honors to the standard, military honors to the Prince with interpretation of the anthem, then the prince carries out a review of the troops before presenting rank insignia to the soldiers of the public force. In Monaco, the public force includes the Prince’s carabinieri and the fire brigade. During the ceremony, Prince Albert presents the badges of distinctions and the badges of the new ranks obtained by the personnel of the public force.
Read also: Princess Charlène in red from head to toe at the Ted Deum of Monaco’s national day
During the presentation of the insignia, distinctions are also awarded to members of the staff of the Princely Court for their loyal service. Maids, maintenance workers, personnel in charge of the automobile fleet and even valets were rewarded by receiving badges from the Head of State.
The last part of the ceremony took place in front of the princely palace for the traditional military parade. The members of the princely family left the main courtyard to join the balconies of the palace in order to observe the parade from a height. Public celebrations will take place all day and it is in the evening that the princely family will make their reappearance. The gala evening will take place in the Salle des Princes of the Grimaldi Forum with a performance of “La Bohême” by Giacomo Puccini.
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]
