Monaco rolled out the red carpet on Friday, November 21, as Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène welcomed Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for what officials hailed as a historic first — never before has a Portuguese head of state carried out an official visit to the Principality.
Proceedings kicked off at the Prince’s Palace with a full ceremonial welcome: military honours, national anthems, and a review of the guard that left no doubt this was a big-ticket diplomatic moment. After the pageantry, the two delegations settled in for bilateral talks covering cooperation between the two nations.
As tradition demands, the morning wrapped up with an exchange of decorations and gifts. Prince Albert II bestowed upon Rebelo de Sousa the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles. In return, the Portuguese President awarded the Sovereign the Grand Collar of the Order of Christ, while Princess Charlène received the Grand Cross of the same order — not a bad haul for a Friday.
An official luncheon followed, after which both leaders were scheduled to put pen to paper on a new Framework Agreement. The visit was set to conclude with a tour of the Saint-Martin Gardens and Monaco’s famed Oceanographic Museum — a suitably scenic finale for a diplomatic first.
