Reception in Rome celebrates 150 years of Monaco’s diplomatic presence in Italy and 20th anniversary of H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince’s reign

©Luigi de Pompeis

On 10 July 2025, the Embassy of Monaco in Italy held a grand reception to celebrate two important milestones: the 20th anniversary of H.S.H. Prince Albert II’s accession to the throne, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Monaco’s diplomatic mission in Italy.

Nearly 300 guests attended the evening event, including senior officials from the Italian government, the justice system, the military, and security forces, deputies and senators from the Italy-Monaco friendship group in the Italian Parliament, and numerous ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Italy. Several local mayors from the towns and villages of the “Historic Grimaldi Sites of Monaco” network also travelled to Rome for the occasion. The Prince's Government was represented by Mr Christophe ROBINO, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.

The Prince’s Palace Guards’ Jazz Trio set the tone for the evening with a dignified and original rendition of the two countries’ national anthems, including the first-ever a cappella performance of the Monegasque anthem outside

©Luigi de Pompeis

the Principality.

H.E. Ms Anne EASTWOOD then read out a special message from H.S.H. Prince Albert II, reflecting on the historic moment when Monaco first established a diplomatic presence in Italy during the reign of Prince Charles III, and paying tribute to His forebear’s vision:

“Monaco’s diplomatic mission in Rome is one of the Principality’s oldest. Originally established as a legation in 1875, at a time when Monaco was asserting its sovereign independence, it was a testament to the importance Prince Charles III placed on establishing diplomatic relations, especially with Italy. […] Prince Charles III had a clear and rigorous vision of what diplomacy should be. He expected his representatives to demonstrate dedication, dignity, impeccable manners, and above all, the ability to proudly represent the Principality with a skilful balance of humility and pride. As this mission in Rome, elevated to embassy status in 1982, celebrates its 150th anniversary, I have every confidence that my Ambassador and her team will continue to uphold the same values of constancy, professionalism, and commitment that marked its founding, and to strive to deepen further the warm friendship and close ties that bind us to our Italian partners.”

In her address, H.E. Ms Anne EASTWOOD paid tribute to the efforts made over the past 150 years to strengthen this special relationship, which today encompasses a wide range of partnerships in the economic, cultural, scientific, and environmental spheres, as well as international cooperation rooted in a shared vision of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the wider world. She praised the bilateral dialogue between the two countries, with the Italian-Monegasque Joint Administrative Cooperation Commission holding a meeting in the Principality recently that underlined their “shared willingness to further strengthen the potential for cooperation in numerous areas”.

Speaking on behalf of the Prince’s Government, Mr Christophe ROBINO hailed a relationship that he described as both historic and forward-looking, built on “loyalty, constancy, and trust”, and expressed particular satisfaction with the prospects for further developing the already highly dynamic cooperation between the two countries in the healthcare field.

Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Giorgio SILLI, then spoke on behalf of the Italian Government, emphasising the importance his country places on its close relationship with Monaco, as reflected in Italy’s permanent diplomatic presence through its resident embassy in the Principality.

Guests at the reception then enjoyed some elegant musical entertainment courtesy of the Palace Guards’ Jazz Trio, accompanied by singer Mandy Ayache.

At the end of the evening, guests were presented with a souvenir gift box containing a selection of items commemorating the 150th anniversary, along with traditional Monegasque specialities including the famous “fougasse”.

©Luigi de Pompeis