An emotional Princess Charlene was seen wiping away tears as her husband, Prince Albert II, marked 20 years on the throne of Monaco in a heartfelt public address.
The 47-year-old royal stood alongside her 10-year-old twins, Jacques and Gabriella, at Place du Palais on Saturday evening, joining a host of Grimaldi family members to celebrate the Prince’s milestone anniversary.
Surrounded by loved ones, Prince Albert delivered an emotional speech in French, reflecting on two decades of leadership and expressing deep gratitude to his family.
“There is my blood family, of course: my wife, Princess Charlene, my children, Jacques and Gabriella. I thank them every day for their love and support,” he said, turning to his wife and children.
Charlene appeared visibly moved, caught on camera wiping a tear as the crowd applauded. Albert later shared a tender kiss on Charlene’s cheek and affectionately kissed Gabriella on the head, before embracing Jacques, his son and heir.
During his speech, the Prince highlighted Monaco’s transformation over the last two decades.
“It has been modernised and extended, but with constant concern for the well-being of all those who live here. Our social model has been strengthened, our economy has grown and our public finances have remained particularly healthy,” he stated.
He also called for unity, saying, “We must be aware of how lucky we are, aware of the joy of living in Monaco, and aware of the strength of the ties that bind us.”
“For my part, I remain as determined, as motivated and as confident as I was 20 years ago,” the Prince concluded.
The celebration was a full show of unity from the Grimaldi dynasty. Princess Caroline and Princess Stéphanie, Albert’s sisters, were present, along with many younger royals.
Among the attendees were Andrea Casiraghi with Tatiana Santo Domingo, Charlotte Casiraghi, Alexandra of Hanover, Louis and Pauline Ducruet, Marie Ducruet, Camille Gottlieb, and Ben Sylvester Strautmann, who is engaged to Princess Caroline’s daughter.
The next generation of royals, including Balthazar, Stefano, and Maximilian Casiraghi, added charm to the evening with their cheerful presence.
The festivities began at 6:30pm with the Monegasque national anthem, followed by traditional folk performances. The event continued until 10:30pm, culminating in a spectacular cake presentation and vibrant lighting displays that delighted the youngest guests.
Albert also spent significant time engaging with citizens at the palace gates. Many left handwritten tributes honouring his reign, later shared via The Princely House’s official social media channels.
While Monaco’s royal family often maintains a low international profile compared to the British Royal Family or Prince William, moments like this offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the principality’s enduring royal traditions and family bonds.