The entire princely family travelled to the Alpilles on Saturday to honour the special bond between the town and the Grimaldi family, which has meant that, since 1642, the heir to the Monegasque throne has held the title of Marquis of Baux. It was a moving moment for the Sovereign, who had made this trip with his mother, Princess Grace, back in 1982.

History repeats itself. In 1982, a young Prince Albert strolled arm in arm with his mother, Princess Grace, along the ramparts of Les Baux-de-Provence to receive the keys to the town. It was an image the Sovereign surely had in the back of his mind when, on Saturday 5 September 2026 – 44 years later – he retraced that very same route, now as a father, guiding his son, Hereditary Prince Jacques.

Two generations of princes of Monaco honouring an agreement dating from 1642, stemming from the Treaty of Péronne signed between King Louis XIII and Prince Honoré II, which made the seigneury of Les Baux a marquisate granted to the Grimaldi family. Since then, the title of Marquis of Baux has been held by the heir to the Monegasque throne. Hereditary Prince Jacques received this honour at birth. And the 11-year-old boy officially assumed the role this Saturday, receiving – just as his father did in 1982 – the keys to the town, as well as a sword.