Looking ahead to National Day!

This Sunday 19 November will be a day of celebration for all Monegasques. A special day, when the whole population comes together in the square outside the Prince’s Palace in a show of affection for their Sovereign and the Princely Family.

What are the tradition’s origins?

In the Principality, the national day was celebrated on the day of the Prince’s patron saint, and so varied depending on who was on the throne. 19 November is a day of celebration and commemoration, established by Charles III in 1857. Back then, the holiday took place on 4 November, the day of Charles’ patron saint. 
When he ascended the throne in 2005, Prince Albert II decided to keep 19 November - Saint Rainier’s Day - in memory of his father, the centenary of whose birth is being celebrated this year.

What’s happening on National Day 

There are a host of events taking place throughout the weekend. Starting on Saturday 18 November, the Principality will be in celebratory mode:

• From 7.30 pm, there will be a festive evening at La Condamine Market (you will need to book in advance with the traders in the market hall).
• At 8.15 pm, there will be a fireworks display with music at Port Hercule.
• At 9 pm, you can look forward to a musical show “Blønd and Blönd and Blónd” by Swedish trio Tø, Glär and Mår, with their own delightfully eccentric and entertaining take on a string of French pop classics.

Then on Sunday 19 November, all eyes will be on the Sovereign!

The morning will see various events, starting at 9.30 am with a solemn thanksgiving mass and a Te Deum attended by the Princely Family, at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate.

It will be followed by the medal ceremony in the Court d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace and a ceremonial drill and troop review of the 1st Tirailleur Regiment, in which Prince Rainier III served at the end of World War Two. The parade wil feature the military band “La Nouba”, and its mascot the ram “Messaoud VI". 

The orchestra of the Palace Guards will provide a musical accompaniment to all of the morning’s events!

At midday, everyone will share a meal of a giant stockfish, prepared on the Place d’Armes with meals available to eat on site or to take away (no advance reservation is required).
The evening’s festivities will kick off with a pop concert by singer Nach (Anna Chedid, the youngest member of the Chedid family) at the Espace Léo Ferré.
And to complete the perfect National Day, head to the funfair to make the most of the final day of attractions before it closes!

VIVA MUNEGU!