On October 26, 2023, a welcome reception was held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. The prince is visiting Philadelphia for his Foundation’s 16th Planetary Health Awards & Gala, which is taking place tonight, Friday, October 27, 2023. Of course, Philadelphia is the hometown of his late mother, actress Grace Kelly. His Serene Highness purchased Grace Kelly’s childhood home in East Falls, which was built by his grandfather John B. Kelly in 1925, officially making him a Philadelphia resident.
At the reception last night, H.E. Maguy Maccario-Doyle, Monaco’s Ambassador to the US & Canada stated, “Tonight we come together in celebration of our shared commitment to the preservation and sustainability of the health of our planet-our only home. The connections to between Philadelphia and Monaco run deep. Especially with the friendly ties that have been developed with the legacy of the Kelly family and of course through our shared dedication for a sustainable environment.” Afterwards, Mayor Jim Kenny pronounced October 26 “Monaco Day” in Philadelphia. Prince Albert II of Monaco spoke at the reception as well stating, “It is with great joy that I am here sharing this moment in this exceptional building.” A few other notable guests included actor George Hamilton and author Candace Bushnell.
The reception also marked the launch of TVMonaco’s newscasts and programs on TV5MONDE USA. TVMonaco was launched on September 1, 2023, and is now a new partner station and shareholder of TV5MONDE, alongside France Télévisions, France Médias Monde, Arte, INA, Radio-Canada, Télé-Québec, RTBF & SSR. TV5MONDE reaches 422 million households in 211 countries. TV5MONDE is carried by Comcast headquartered in Philadelphia and other Pay-TV and streaming operators in the United States. The programming will include news, sports, environment, lifestyle, and culture content.
The first stops of the prince were to tour several environmental projects in our city. He visited Moore Reed Memorial Park where he revealed his Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will donate $130,000 to support the Philly Tree Plan. The Philly Tree Plan is the first plan to grow and care for Philadelphia’s urban forest. The next stop was to the Philadelphia Zoo where the prince toured the wildlife academy called KidZooU which serves as a children’s zoo and educational center. The prince participated in a ceremony to honor his Olympiad relatives on historic Boathouse Row as well. An FDR Park Wetlands project was also part of the tour yesterday. The prince stated, “Now, more than ever, at a time when our world is facing so many environmental challenges, it is so important that we recognize, honor, and support the work of those doing remarkable things to preserve our planet.”
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is a global non-profit organization committed to protecting and progressing Planetary Health for present and future generations Tonight, the 16th Planetary Health Awards Ceremony will be held at the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Perelman Theatre in the presence of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. Following the event, a fundraising Gala will be held at the Masonic Temple, a national historic landmark, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Prince Albert II of Monaco expressed, “I am honored to be hosting this year’s event in Philadelphia, a city that has been a second home to me.”
About Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Founded by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2006, the eponymous Foundation is a global non-profit organization, committed to protecting and progressing Planetary Health for present and future generations by co-creating initiatives and supporting hundreds of projects across the Planet.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation focuses its efforts on three principal domains of action: climate change, biodiversity, and water resources, in the following main geographical regions: the Mediterranean Basin, the Polar Regions and the Least Developed Countries. The Foundation has already granted over 101 million euros to fund more than 750 projects that focus on limiting the effects of climate change, promoting renewable energies, protecting the ocean, preserving biodiversity, managing water resources, and combating deforestation.
By valuing and forming partnerships with world leaders, scientists, NGOs, businesses, philanthropists, and communities most at risk, the Foundation works to build a more conscious future, believing we all need to change our relationship with Nature, so we can co-exist responsibly and prosperously.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has 11 foreign branches in the following countries:
France, United-States, United-Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Spain, China and recently Brazil.
For additional information about the annual Prince Albert II Foundation Planetary Health Awards, its past recipients, locally and internationally funded projects, and how to get involved, please visit https://www.fpa2.org/en/index
