Prince Albert II of Monaco, honorary citizen of Genoa, discovers his mother’s rose at Euroflora in Italy
From April 20 to 23, 2022, Prince Albert II of Monaco was in Italy, continuing his visits to the Grimaldi Historic Sites. During his last stop, in Genoa, the Monegasque sovereign received his distinction of honorary citizen. He also provoked the Euroflora horticultural fair where the rose of his mother, Princess Grace, is displayed.
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Prince Albert II receives his distinction of honorary citizen of the city of Genoa
From April 20 to 22, Prince Albert II of Monaco was visiting Puglia. The Sovereign Prince visited several towns with a connection to the Grimaldi story. On April 23, he reached northern Italy to continue his pilgrimage to what is certainly the most symbolic city, Genoa.
The descendants of Otto Canella, consul of Genoa in 1133, are known as the Grimaldis. The name of the dynasty comes from Grimaud (Grimaldo, in Italian), one of the sons of Otto Canella. Several Grimaldi led Genoa, before settling in the four corners of the Mediterranean, in disagreement with the new leaders of the Genoese republic. A branch of the family seized the fort of Monaco in 1297 and settled there permanently at the beginning of the 14th century. Other branches of the family ruled over similar, if not larger, small fiefdoms around the Mediterranean. Today, only the Grimaldi branch of Monaco is still sovereign.
In 2019, “the Council of the Municipality of Genoa, on the proposal of the mayor, Marco Bucci, approved unanimously” attribution of honorary citizenship to Prince Albert II of Monaco, wrote the local press. Following his visit to Genoa in 2010, Albert of Monaco had already received the City Medal. Although already named honorary citizen in 2019, the prince had not yet traveled to receive his distinction.
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Albert II of Monaco discovers Princess Grace’s rose
This April 23, Prince Albert was received at the Palazzo Ducale by the Mayor of Genoa, where he received his distinction before the local authorities, after having visited the Palazzo Pallavicino, invited by the owner, then he made a private visit to the Villa of the Principle. He also unveiled a commemorative plaque which recalls the links between the Grimaldis and the city of Genoa.
Before that, in the morning, Prince Albert started his day with a visit to Euroflora. At the Parchi di Nervi, Prince Albert attended the inauguration of this horticultural time, which is open to the public until May 8. In 1966, during the first edition of Euroflora, the guests of honor at the inauguration succeeded Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. Princess Grace returned to Euroflora alone in 1971.
For her second visit to Euroflora, Princess Grace was treated to a big surprise. A rose was dedicated to him. The “Princess of Monaco” rose is a creamy white rose with the edge of rose petals. This rose is still grown in the Parchi di Nervi rose garden. Prince Albert II was able to admire this rose during his visit. This year the fair includes the Exotic Garden of Monacoa space reserved for succulents.