Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Consort Charlène Wittstock visiting Florence

Institutional engagements and a gala evening to celebrate 160 years of the Principality of Monaco's consulate in the city

A charity gala evening organised by the Consulate of the Principality of Monaco in Florence to celebrate the 160th anniversary of its foundation. The event took place yesterday evening in the Salone de' Cinquecento, in Palazzo Vecchio, and was attended by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and His Serene Highness Charlène, Princess consort of Monaco, Veronica Berti Bocelli, wife of Maestro Andrea Bocelli, and Alessandro Giusti, Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Florence.

Salone dei Cinquecento

Part of the proceeds raised during the evening will be donated to the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, a global non-profit organisation founded by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2006 and committed to promoting Planetary Health for present and future generations by co-creating initiatives and supporting hundreds of projects across the Planet, and to the Andrea Bocelli Foundation - Ente Filantropico, whose aim is to help people in difficulty due to illness, poverty and social marginalisation by promoting and supporting national and international projects that encourage the overcoming of such barriers and the full expression of one's potential. A contribution will also be donated to the Istituto degli Innocenti in Florence.

The gala dinner was attended by, among others: the Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella, the Deputy Prefect of Florence Dr. Vittoria Messere, the Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco in Italy H.E. Mme Anne Eastwood and the Ambassador of Italy in the Principality of Monaco H.E. Giulio Alaimo, as well as numerous personalities also from the Principality of Monaco.

Chiara Nardella - SAS Principe - SAS Principessa - Dario Nardella - Alessandro Giusti - Elisa Giusti

The event was an opportunity to present other initiatives related to the celebrations of the 160th anniversary of the Consulate of the Principality of Monaco in Florence, namely the creation of an ad hoc philatelic cancellation and the publication of a booklet on the history of Monaco's consular representation on Florentine territory, from 1863 to the present day, realised thanks to the precious contribution of journalist Piero Ceccatelli, who was present at the event.

The 160th anniversary of the Consulate of Monaco in Florence also coincides with another important anniversary for the city, the centenary of the birth of the well-known Florentine artist Silvano 'Nano' Campeggi. In this context, a particularly significant moment took place during the evening: the handing-over ceremony of some works by 'Nano' Campeggi to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco depicting portraits of Grace Kelly from some of his most famous films (including High Society, The Swan, Hunting a Thief). The delivery was made directly from Elena Campeggi, widow of the famous poster artist, and her son Giovanni Battista to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.