Honouring the Fight against the Pandemic

Photo : Eric Mathon / Palais princier / Manuel Vitali / Dir. Com. / Nice-Matin

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco decreed that those who have been particularly involved in the fight against the pandemic should be honoured with a special Covid-19 award ceremony to mark the commencement of this year’s annual traditional National Day celebrations in Monaco. The celebrations culminate with a public holiday for the Principality on November 19.

A special ceremony to honour and recognise those in the frontline of the health crisis was held at the Prince’s Palace on Monday, November 16, 2020. Amongst the recipients to be honoured was Mrs Maria Elena Cuomo, founder and president of the Cuomo Foundation ,who was presented with The Order of Grimaldi by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco in recognition of the outstanding solidarity shown by the Cuomo Foundation at the height of the global health crisis.

This past spring ,the Cuomo Foundation made an exceptional donation to the Monegasque Red Cross for the funding and acquisition of masks, gloves and other essential accessories intended for health personnel.

These crucial items were distributed within the principality by the Monegasque Red Cross whose president is H.S.H. Prince Albert II. The Order Of Grimaldi was established by Prince Rainier III by Ordinance on November 18,1954 .The medal is to reward those people who have contributed to the prestige of the Principality with distinction. When Prince Albert II succeeded his father in 2005, he decided to honour his father and maintain the National Day on November 19, St. Rainier of Arezzo’s day. The November 19, is also the same day of Albert II’s official ascension to the throne in 2005.