In pictures: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene honoured at emotional CISM gala in Monaco
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene at the CISM Closing Gala Dinner at the Fairmont © Michaël Alesi / Prince’s Palace
On Thursday 7 May, the Prince and Princess attended the gala dinner for the 81st General Assembly of the International Military Sports Council at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo. The evening was marked by two honours bestowed at the highest level of the Principality.
Accompanied by Louis and Marie Ducruet, as well as Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène graced the closing ceremony of a week that brought together high-ranking military delegations from nearly 80 nations in Monaco. Opened on 4 May by Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, the event continued on the Place du Palais with a military ceremony in the presence of the Sovereign, before moving to the Fairmont Monte-Carlo for conferences, a congress and a mini-tournament of rugby sevens at the Stade Louis-II.
The Prince and Princess Honoured
The highlight of the gala was the presentation of awards by Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim, President of the CISM. Princess Charlène was elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the CISM Order of Merit for her commitment to sport and international solidarity. Prince Albert II, meanwhile, was appointed an Honorary Member of the CISM, in recognition of Monaco’s unwavering commitment to the values of peace and friendship upheld by the organisation since its foundation in 1948.
Based on the motto “Friendship through Sport”, CISM brings together 142 member nations, including Monaco since 2010. Throughout the week, the Monegasque Public Force was responsible for the organisation, security and protocol of the event, under the command of Colonel Tony Varo. The 82nd General Assembly will be held in May 2027 in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, which Prince Albert II had just left a few days earlier, having represented Monaco at the 8th summit of the European Political Community.