The Olympic flame has brought a moment of unity and celebration to Monaco as it makes its journey from Olympia in Greece to Paris, France for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The flame's stopover in Monaco was marked by a significant event involving Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène, both former Olympians. Charlène participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics as part of the South African 4 × 100 meter medley relay team, while Albert represented Monaco as a bobsledder in five Winter Olympics.
The royal couple, alongside their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, participated in the torch relay. The event was also graced by other notable athletes, including ski racer Alexandra Coletti, table tennis player Xiaoxin Yang, and Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc. Leclerc, who recently won the Monaco Grand Prix, had the honor of being the first torchbearer, followed by Coletti, Yang, and bobsledder Rudy Rinaldi.
The torch relay culminated with Prince Albert and Princess Charlène carrying the flame together to the palace, a symbolic act that highlighted their shared passion for sport and their renewed happiness. The royal family posed together on a podium while the Olympic flag was raised over the palace, creating a moment of pride and unity for Monaco.
In the evening, Prince Albert and Princess Charlène attended the 63rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival, with Charlène making a stunning appearance in a white off-the-shoulder one-piece designed by Elie Saab. This event further cemented her status as a fashion icon. The Olympic flame's journey through Monaco, though brief, left a lasting impression on the principality and its people.
- The Olympic flame's passage through Monaco was a brief but impactful event, lasting only 45 minutes from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The flame then continued its journey to Nice, and from there, it will travel to Vaucluse and Drôme.
- The participation of Charles Leclerc, who was revealed as a torchbearer at the last moment, added a special touch to the event. Leclerc's recent victory in the Monaco Grand Prix made his involvement even more significant, symbolizing the pride and achievements of Monaco on the world stage.
