Ceremony for trainee Palace Guards from the Louis Nattareu class: presentation of the flag, blessing and award of insignia

S.A.S. la Princesse Stéphanie remet les insignes aux élèves Carabiniers ©Direction de la Communication / Frédéric Nebinger

H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, the patron of the Palace Guards, awarded the corps insignia to four trainee Palace Guards from the Louis Nattareu class. The military ceremony was held yesterday on the helicopter landing pad of the Moneghetti Barracks.

After a welcome from Lieutenant-Colonel Martial Pied, Chief Officer of the Palace guards, and a military inspection, the Palace Guards’ Flag was presented to the young recruits, who then received their corps insignia, blessed by Father Christian Venard, Chaplain of the Military Force. The ceremony closed with the Monegasque national anthem led by the Palace Guards Orchestra and all of the soldiers.

The candidates will swear an oath to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince and His Family on 8 July 2024 and will commit to serving them with “honour, loyalty and devotion”, as stated in the Palace Guards’ motto. They will take up their posts on 1 July.

S.A.S. la Princesse Stéphanie entourée des élèves Carabiniers ©Direction de la Communication / Frédéric Nebinger

* Born in Nice, 21 year-old Louis Nattareu joined the 112th Infantry Regiment in November 1894. In November 1897 he was admitted to the active reserve of the Infantry Regiment of Antibes. He joined the Palace Guards on 21 July 1903 as number 215. Mobilised on 4 August, he and his regiment were sent to the front, where he died, poisoned by gas, on 1 February 1917. He is buried in Mourmelon-le-Petit.