His Serene Highness Prince Albert II attended the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, on Wednesday, August 19, taking in the action from a stadium box overlooking the show jumping arena, alongside fellow guest and Brazilian football legend Kaká, according to the Aachener Zeitung.
The Sovereign’s visit, confirmed in advance by championships organiser Michael Mronz, was tied directly to the participation of two Monégasque riders competing at this year’s event. Speaking ahead of the visit, Mronz said the appeal of major sporting events lies not only in bringing nations together, but in the meeting of compelling people and personalities, adding that the Sovereign’s presence reinforced the significance of the championships and reflected the unique social connections that sport continues to make possible.
Prince Albert’s appearance places him among a run of prominent royal and celebrity guests at this year’s championships, following visits from royal representatives of the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom and Spain during the event’s opening week.
The FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 run from August 11 to 23, bringing together roughly 650 athletes and 800 horses from 35 countries across six disciplines: Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Para Dressage, Driving and Vaulting. The championships also carry particular significance this year as the first qualifying event on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with national teams competing across Dressage, Eventing and Jumping for a share of the available Olympic team quota spots.
Image: Hermann Bühlbecker, Iñigo Lopez De La Osa