In a ceremony led by the Mayor of Argenteuil and attended by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and members of the Kelly family, a tribute to John B. Kelly Sr., maternal grandfather of the Sovereign, was inaugurated on the banks of the Seine. The event marked the 100th anniversary of Kelly’s Olympic rowing triumph during the Paris 1924 Games.

The commemorative event included the unveiling of a mural dedicated to John B. Kelly and his rowing partner and cousin, Paul Costello. Created by French urban artist Sckaro, the vibrant fresco adorns a municipal building and presents a modern interpretation of their historic achievement. Additionally, a newly renamed riverbank promenade and a photographic exhibition tracing Kelly’s career were revealed, celebrating his legacy and offering a tribute to the shared histories of Monaco, France, and the United States.

HSH Prince Albert II spoke warmly of his grandfather, whom he described as a model of resilience and sporting excellence. “Although I hardly knew my grandfather, his achievements in sport and life were passed down through our family as a source of inspiration,” the Prince shared. Kelly’s legacy, he noted, was further cemented by his uncle, John B. Kelly Jr., who won an Olympic bronze medal in 1956.

The Kelly family, including John Lehman, John B. Kelly III, Chris Le Vine, and Susan von Medicus, joined Prince Albert in honoring the man affectionately called “Pop” within their family. Their presence highlighted the transatlantic significance of Kelly’s story, a tale of an Irish-American immigrant who rose from humble beginnings as a mason to become a three-time Olympic champion.

Mayor Georges Mothron underscored the importance of the visit, recalling that no reigning monarch had graced Argenteuil since Louis-Philippe’s time. Citing the enduring bonds between France, Monaco, and the United States, the mayor also invoked the words of Prince Albert I, celebrating the universal ideals of progress and aspiration.

The tribute to John B. Kelly Sr. follows an earlier homage during the Paris 2024 Olympics, where HSH Prince Albert II presented medals at the Vaires-sur-Marne rowing venue. As the Prince noted, Kelly’s story serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sport.

Image courtesy of Michael Alesi / Prince’s Palace