Photo credits: Éric Mathon / Palais princier.
On Wednesday, July 9, Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Hereditary Prince Jacques, and Princess Gabriella traveled to the Carladès region at the invitation of local officials, reaffirming the deep historical bonds between the Principality of Monaco and this storied corner of France. Eleven years after his last official visit, Prince Albert II returned with his family to honor a legacy that has endured for centuries, with a special focus on Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès, whose title ties her directly to this land.
The County of Carladès, formally linked to Monaco since 1643 by decree of King Louis XIII, was granted to Prince Honoré II. Since then, the title of Count or Countess of Carladès has traditionally been borne by the second in line to the Monegasque throne. Princess Gabriella, bestowed with this symbolic title at birth, stood alongside her twin brother, Prince Jacques, Marquis of Baux, as the family engaged with local communities in a series of carefully orchestrated events.
The visit began in Vic-sur-Cère, a historic hub of the former county in Cantal. The Princely Family was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd and local dignitaries for the inauguration of the Square Princesse Gabriella. In a poignant moment, the young princess was presented with the symbolic key to the city by Mayor Annie Delrieu, a gesture that underscored the region’s pride in its connection to Monaco.
Photo credits: Éric Mathon / Palais princier.
The delegation then proceeded to Mur-de-Barrez in Aveyron, where they were warmly received on the Place de Monaco by Mayor Pierre Ignace. A formal ceremony drew a large crowd, reflecting the region’s enduring affection for the Grimaldi family. Later, Princess Gabriella took center stage at the inauguration of a new media library named in her honor, joined by her parents and brother in a moment of shared pride.
The final stop was Carlat, a site steeped in historical significance for Monaco. The rock of the former castle remains a symbolic property of Prince Albert II, a tangible link to the principality’s past. Here, the family inaugurated a botanical garden dedicated to Princess Gabriella, a gesture that reinforced the continuity of this legacy. In a nod to history, they posed for a family photograph near the same tree where Princess Charlotte, Prince Albert’s grandmother, was photographed in 1912, weaving past and present into a single frame.
Photo credits: Éric Mathon / Palais princier.
This visit, rich in ceremony and sentiment, reaffirmed the enduring ties between Monaco and Carladès. For Princess Gabriella, it was a moment to step into her role as Countess, while for the region, it was a chance to celebrate a shared heritage that continues to thrive.