Prince Albert of Monaco has appeared with his family in a celebratory New Year’s Eve speech to the nation after a year in which his wife, Princess Charlene, returned to royal duties.
The 64-year-old Crown Prince of Monaco spoke directly to his compatriots in the address before he was joined by his wife and their eight-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, to wish people a Happy New Year.
The annual address offered a hopeful outlook for 2023 while acknowledging the “tribulations” that many face in 2022.
Albert said he and Charlene, 44, offered their “support, compassion and affection” to all those “affected by war, oppression, violence and intolerance in our troubled world.”
The prince added that her “thoughts are also with those who are afflicted with illness or who have seen loved ones suffer, reminding us not only how fragile life is but at times how resilient we are when we face adversity.”
The message, which lasted almost four minutes, was filmed against a festive backdrop with a beautiful Christmas tree in the Palace’s Salle des Gardes.
Prince Albert wore a smart navy suit with a light blue tie, while Charlene looked stunning in a metallic chain mail dress as she joined the prince towards the end of the video message.
Prince Jacques wore a simple black suit while his little sister donned a matching tweed skirt and jacket as they smiled for the cameras.
The almost four-minute message was filmed against a festive backdrop with a beautiful Christmas tree in the Salle des Gardes
Albert said he and Charlene, 44, offered their “support, compassion and affection” to all those “affected by war, oppression, violence and intolerance in our troubled world”.
The family appearance came after a year, as Princess Charlene returned to royal duties after a stay in her native South Africa last year when she was unwell.
After treatment at home, she checked into a clinic in Switzerland before returning to her husband in Monaco.
This year, however, the mother-of-two has slipped back into royal duties, taking her kids back to school in September and taking on commitments like trips to animal shelters.
Last month, Charlene addressed her health issues, telling local newspaper Monaco Matin that she feels “so much better” than she has in recent years.
She revealed she was in “less pain and a lot more energy” and said she’s “continuing to recover to get back into balance”.
In a poignant concluding remark, the prince told viewers: “‘Tomorrow’ is not an empty word, but the future perspective of our common desire.”
The video ended with a performance by the entire royal family wishing the Monagasse Happy New Year in French, English and their native language
She added: “My family and the ones I love are my rock. I am approaching the future, step by step, day by day.”
The New Year message from the Monagas royal family covered climate change and the importance of democracy as Prince Albert encouraged people in his principality to exercise their right to vote in elections later this year.
The prince took the opportunity to reaffirm that those elected to Monaco’s government will do their part to preserve democracy in the tiny nation.
This year will also be an important one for the royal family itself as it marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prince Albert’s father, Prince Rainier.
In a tribute to his father, the Crown Prince said: “He has made Monaco a modern and dynamic constitutional monarchy, open to the world and active on the international stage.”
He added that 2023 will mark 30 years since Monaco joined the United Nations.
“I would like to reiterate my firm belief in multilateralism and respect for our international obligations,” he added.
In a poignant concluding remark, the prince told viewers: “‘Tomorrow’ is not an empty word, but the future perspective of our common desire.”
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco in their 2022 Christmas card showing their family gathered around a tree
The video ended with a performance by the entire royal family wishing the Monagasse Happy New Year in French, English and their native language.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene also made public appearances with their children over Christmas, upholding family traditions such as the annual tree ceremony as a sign of unity during this festive season.
The family have unveiled their Christmas card for 2022 in the run-up to the holidays, which shows their family gathering around a tree in the palace’s Salle des Gardes.
The text accompanying the card reads in English, French and Monegasque: “My family joins me in wishing you peace and joy this Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023”.
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