{"id":323561,"date":"2025-11-07T16:43:51","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T14:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/?p=323561"},"modified":"2025-11-07T16:51:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T14:51:00","slug":"ninety-years-on-monacos-british-community-still-going-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/en\/2025\/11\/ninety-years-on-monacos-british-community-still-going-strong\/","title":{"rendered":"Ninety years on, Monaco’s British community still going strong"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On 30 October, one of Monaco’s oldest expatriate associations marked a major milestone at the International Hydrographic Organisation\u2014the venue of its first committee meeting\u2014celebrating nine decades of service to British citizens living in the Principality.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1935, the British Association of Monaco (BAM) helps English-speaking newcomers to form social and professional connections in the community, self-funded by patrons and managed by an elected committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its first committee meeting on 14 January 1936, BAM has sought to \u201cprovide a focus for British and Commonwealth citizens residing in Monaco and surrounding areas to meet socially, represent their views in the Principality and to provide a community support service for those in need<\/em>,\u201d as its mission statement reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the association consists of around 250 members, who take part in regular meet-ups such as food and drinks evenings, afternoon tea, coffee mornings, plus cultural events including a book club, talks and guided tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A social hub for a burgeoning British community<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the IMSEE census figures<\/a> from 2024, Brits are the fourth-largest expat community in Monaco, representing 7.6% of the population, while 15% of adults who have relocated to Monaco over the past three years came from the UK. However, the latter figure indicates geographical origin, not nationality and many arrivals from the UK hold foreign passports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BAM\u2019s President Yvonne Bernhardt became involved with the association 43 years ago when she arrived in Monaco with limited French language skills, seeking fellow English speakers to connect with and form friendships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOver the years the British community has very much grown,\u201d Bernhardt said. \u201cBritish people and English-speaking people from all walks of life and age groups are members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A key pillar of the organisation is the volunteer Community Support Team, which works with charities, social services, hospitals and retirement homes to offer practical, pastoral and financial help to the British and Commonwealth Community in the Principality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Diplomatic Dialogues: Monaco and the United Kingdom \u2014 a long-standing royal friendship in service of excellence<\/a><\/blockquote>