On Saturday, June 28, late in the morning, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, Miles Pauline Ducruet, Camille Gottlieb, and Mr. Louis and Mrs. Marie Ducruet took part in the official ceremony for Monaco National Day, held in the prestigious setting of the Osaka Kansai 2025 World Expo.
Upon their arrival at the site, the members of the Princely Family attended the traditional tea ceremony, held in one of the salons of the Guest House.
This ancestral ritual, centered on the tasting of matcha, illustrates the very essence of Japanese culture, combining aesthetics, spirituality, and harmony.
At the National Day Hall, the festivities began with a serenade performed by the Prince's Carabiniers Orchestra, marking the solemn entrance of the Monegasque delegation accompanied by H.I.H. Princess Hisako of Takamado. After the national anthems of Monaco and Japan were played, the flags of both nations were raised, symbolizing their enduring friendship.
Official speeches were then given by Mr.
Koji Haneda, Commissioner General of Expo 2025, and H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince. In his address, the Prince emphasized Monaco's committed participation in the Osaka Kansai 2025 World Expo to promote, through its “Take Care of Wonder” pavilion, a collective and sustainable vision of the society of the future, based on environmental preservation, international cooperation, and a deep connection between humanity and nature.
The ceremony concluded with an official lunch at the Maison d'Hôte, bringing together the Monegasque and Japanese delegations in a spirit of conviviality and cooperation.
