Princess Caroline hands out Prince Pierre Foundation prizes
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Princess Caroline presided over the Fondation Prince Pierre award ceremony at the Salle Garnier, honouring author Daniel Pennac with the Literary Prize.
The Salle Garnier hosted this year's Fondation Prince Pierre awards ceremony, with Princess Caroline of Hanover presiding over the event that recognises excellence across literature, music and the visual arts. The foundation, established in 1966 under Prince Rainier III's patronage, remains one of the Principality's longest-running cultural institutions, supporting both established and emerging creative talent.
Author Daniel Pennac received the foundation's Literary Prize, with the princess using the occasion to stress the value of reading and encouraging others to read, telling the gathered audience that artists are always ahead of the rest of us in how they see the world. The remark reflected the foundation's broader mission of championing work that challenges and anticipates cultural shifts rather than simply reflecting them.
For residents who follow Monaco's cultural calendar, the Prince Pierre awards remain a fixture each autumn, drawing figures from across the literary and artistic world to the Salle Garnier within the Opera House. The ceremony reinforces the Principality's standing as a patron of the arts beyond its better-known identity tied to motorsport and finance, with the royal family's continued involvement underscoring the foundation's institutional weight.