In pictures: Prince Albert II boards French Navy minehunter “Capricorne” in Monaco
This visit is part of the celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the French Navy © Sarah STECK - Prince's Palace
Prince Albert II visited the French warship docked in Monaco on Friday, as part of the celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the French Navy.
On Friday 23 January, Prince Albert II boarded the “Capricorne’, a tripartite minesweeper belonging to the French Navy. The ship, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Aurélien Adde, is making a stopover in the Principality as part of the celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the French fleet.
The visit took place in the presence of Jean d’Haussonville, French Ambassador to Monaco. Prince Albert II was able to explore the warship’s facilities and talk to the crew about their missions in the Mediterranean.
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Centuries-old maritime ties
This meeting illustrates the special relationship between Monaco and the French Navy. The two nations share a common history in the Mediterranean, reinforced by cooperation agreements and shared maritime values. The “Capricorne” is part of the tripartite class of minesweepers, jointly designed by France, Belgium and the Netherlands in the 1980s.
These specialised vessels ensure the safety of maritime routes by detecting and neutralising underwater mines. The stopover in Monaco is part of a programme of port visits organised throughout 2025 to mark this quadricentennial. The French Navy is thus celebrating its historical and current role in defending French interests at sea.