Prince Albert II Foundation marks 20 years at Salle Garnier
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
The Prince Albert II Foundation celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a gala at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, where the Sovereign reflected on its role beyond state reach.
The Salle Garnier hosted the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's twentieth anniversary gala on Friday, bringing together supporters, partners and public figures for an evening that carried genuine weight for the Principality's environmental agenda.
Prince Albert II spoke with visible emotion during the ceremony, reminding guests that the Foundation exists to act where government alone cannot always reach. The remarks underlined how the organisation has positioned itself over two decades as a complement to official policy on climate, biodiversity and ocean protection, rather than a simple extension of it.
Actor Richard Gere, among those attending, used the platform to deliver a pointed intervention on US climate policy, directing criticism at Donald Trump in terms that drew considerable attention from those present. The Foundation has long cultivated international figures to amplify its environmental message beyond Monaco's borders.
Founded in 2006, the organisation has funded projects across more than 50 countries. The gala marked not just a milestone anniversary but a restatement of its ambitions at a moment when multilateral environmental commitments face renewed pressure globally.