Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert and Princess Charlene attended a moving church service at St. Paul’s on Saturday in memory of Queen Elizabeth, who died last week.
British Ambassador to France and Monaco Her Excellency Menna Rawlings had arrived from Paris to take part in the special commemoration, arranged at very short notice, which was conducted by Archdeacon of France Peter Hooper and St. Paul’s interim chaplain the Reverend Andrew Taylor.
Also present were Mr Eric Blair, Britain’s Honorary Consul to Monaco, the French Ambassador to Monaco Laurent Stefanini and Monaco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Isabelle Berro-Amadeï. Errol Girdlestone and singers splendidly accompanied the service and led the hymns.
In her address, Ambassador Rawlings said that the Queen had been a constant in our lives. She had a way of putting everyone at ease. She was steadfast, as during the covid crisis.
“She was Britain’s number-one ambassador to the world.”
The Ambassador especially thanked Prince Albert and Princess Charlene for their moving words in praise of the Queen.
The service ended with the singing of God Save the King, and it was at this point that many in the congregation gave way to their emotions as the Anglican community of the Principality marked the passing of a much-loved sovereign and the beginning of a new Carolean era.
PHOTOS: Main, TSH Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in conversation with British Ambassador Menna Rawlings on the steps of St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Below, In the library following the service, Archdeacon of France the Reverend Peter Hooper, British Ambassador to France and Monaco Her Excellency Menna Rawlings, Mr Eric Blair, Britain’s Honorary Consul to Monaco, Hope Swales, President of the Church Council of St. Paul’s, and Yvonne Bernhardt, President of the British Association of Monaco. Ian Brodie