President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron are making a rare state visit to Monaco on June 7-8. The French presidential couple will be welcomed by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene within this high-level diplomatic event.
A Historic first
This is the first official state visit by a French head of state to Monaco in decades. Announced just ten days prior, it’s a landmark moment in their longstanding relationship.
The visit begins on Saturday, June 7, with a private meeting between Macron and Prince Albert II at the Palace, where they’ll discuss bilateral and global issues. A grand state dinner in the Throne Room will follow, attended by high-level guests. Speculation suggests the presidential couple might stay at the iconic Hôtel de Paris.
Macron’s last visit to Monaco was for a funeral in January; a previously planned celebratory visit in 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19.
Diplomacy focused on the oceans
Sunday’s program shifts focus to the sea, a key area for international diplomacy. Macron will visit SeaWergie, a local firm pioneering thalassothermal energy. Meanwhile, Brigitte Macron will join Princess Charlene for the Princess Charlene Foundation’s Water Safety Day.
Marine matters continue as the visit coincides with the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF), where Macron and Prince Albert II will conclude proceedings with a closing lunch.
After the Monegasque leg, Macron and Prince Albert will travel together to Nice for the official opening of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (June 9-13). The message is clear: oceans matter, and France and Monaco are dedicating significant diplomatic weight to this cause.
This visit underscores that even for the world’s second-smallest country, size isn’t everything when it comes to international influence. It highlights that the ties between Paris and the Principality are evolving and strengthening amid climate urgency and shifting geopolitical tides.
