As part of his regular visits to territories historically linked to his family, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, accompanied by H.R.H. Princess of Hanover, visited the Ardennes department on Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25.
The Sovereign was keen to maintain this long-standing commitment, despite the period of mourning for Pope Francis, but had to cut short the last half-day of his visit in order to travel to Rome.
On Thursday, April 24, in Charleville-Mézières, H.S.H. the Prince and H.R.H. the Princess began their visit to the Musée de l'Ardenne with a tour of the museum's permanent exhibition, which is dedicated to the history of the Ardennes region.
On Thursday, April 24, in Charleville-Mézières, H.S.H. the Prince and H.R.H. the Princess began their visit to the
Musée de l'Ardenne with a tour of the exhibition "Counts of Rethel, Dukes of Mazarins, Princes of Monaco. A History of the Ardennes (10th-19th Centuries)," organized by the Ardennes Departmental Archives in collaboration with the Palace Archives, under the guidance of curator Léo Davy, director of the Departmental Archives, before visiting the Arthur Rimbaud Museum.
The Sovereign Prince then gave a speech at midday at the Hôtel du Département des Ardennes.
In the afternoon, H.S.H. the Prince and H.R.H. the Princess visited La Cassine, where they were able to see the restoration of the former Cordeliers convent currently being carried out by the Departmental Council. The day ended in Lametz, whose territory was part of the Duchy of Rethel, and where Caroline Gibert, wife of Prince Florestan I of Monaco, spent part of her youth. H.S.H. the Prince and H.R.H. the Princess paid their respects at the tombstone bearing the names of Antoine Rouyer and Henriette Legras de Vauberey, the father-in-law and mother of Princess Caroline (1793-1879). Alongside her husband and then her son Prince Charles III, Princess Caroline was a major figure in the renewal of the Principality in the second half of the 19th century.
On Friday, April 25, H.S.H. the Prince and H.R.H. the Princess were in Rethel, the last stop on their visit to the Ardennes. After a warm welcome from the local population, H.S.H. the Prince gave a final speech on the steps of the Town Hall.
