7 unfiltered questions

  1. Why a prince and not a king?

This is largely due to the relationship between Monaco and France over the centuries. It is in fact a historical tradition and a political dimension: through treaties, Monaco is placed under the protection of France. In order not to upset these diplomatic relations, the sovereigns are princes under the protection of a single king, the King of France. Although the Grimaldi dynasty took control of Monaco in 1297, the title of Lord of Monaco did not officially appear until Charles Grimaldi in 1342. However, it was not until 1612 that Honoré II officially adopted the title of Prince of Monaco, marking an evolution in the sovereign status of the principality.

  1. How can I obtain Monegasque nationality?

The decision to grant or refuse Monegasque citizenship is the exclusive prerogative of the Prince of Monaco. However, there are various ways of obtaining citizenship:

- parentage: direct for paternal parentage, subject to conditions for maternal parentage

- Marriage: the husband or wife of a Monegasque may acquire Monegasque nationality by declaration, after a period of twenty years from the celebration of the marriage.

- Naturalisation: any person who has been habitually resident in Monaco for at least ten years since reaching the age of 18 may apply to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince for naturalisation. However, this decision is at the discretion of the Sovereign Prince.

  1. What is the difference between Monaco and Monte-Carlo?

Monte-Carlo is often considered to be the 'capital' of Monaco. Wrongly, since Monte-Carlo is one of the districts that make up the Principality. It represents 21% of the territory and was called Plateau des Spélugues until the mid-19th century, when it was renamed Monte-Carlo in honour of Prince Charles III.

  1. Why can't Monegasques play at the Casino in their own country?

Monegasques are not allowed to play at the casino in Monaco. This prohibition, which is laid down by law, has never been challenged. The first reason why Monegasques are banned from gambling is economic: Prince Charles III did not want his subjects, who already had low incomes, to go broke. The second reason is more prosaic: to prevent fraud. In the heart of a small territory, many Monegasques are croupiers, and it is inconceivable that there would be any possibility of money being won or lost between members of the same family.

  1. Why a red and white flag?

The flag as we know it was established in 1881 by Charles III. It features the traditional colours of the Grimaldi family, which themselves recall the coat of arms of the Republic of Genoa, birthplace of the Princely Family. A more poetic version is that the red evokes the blood of Monaco's patron saint, Sainte-Dévote.

  1. Is there a Monegasque language?

Monegasque is a regional language, close to Ligurian, spoken in Italy. Although French is the official language, Monegasque is taught at school and can be seen on street signs. Anxious to preserve their language, a few Monegasques founded what was to become the National Committee for Monegasque Traditions in 1924 and set about putting down on paper what was then a strictly oral language, devoid of formal grammar and literature.

  1. How does Monaco provide a safe and secure environment?

Safety in Monaco is an absolute priority, a real pillar of daily life. With an impressive ratio of one police officer for every 70 inhabitants, the Principality puts in place exceptional measures to guarantee the tranquillity of its residents and visitors. Although defence is provided by France, Monaco also has the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, an elite corps of 124 soldiers responsible for the security of the Prince and his institutions. Their presence underlines the importance of protection, but also of harmony, as demonstrated by the Prince's Carabinieri orchestra, a musical ensemble made up mainly of brass and wind instruments that has accompanied life in Monaco for 50 years.