The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation join forces around sport and ocean protection

In the presence of Their Serene Highnesses Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation officially formalised, on Wednesday 27 May 2026, during the 17th edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative, a partnership agreement placing sport at the service of ocean awareness and preservation.

Signed by Mrs Anne Boggio, CEO of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, and Mr Romain Ciarlet, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, this collaboration seals a shared ambition: to make sport a universal language, capable of inspiring, bringing people together and mobilising action around an essential issue — the protection of our seas.

Since its creation in 2006, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has maintained a constant focus on the ocean, with its knowledge, governance and protection forming one of the pillars of its commitment. The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, for its part, works through sport, education, drowning prevention and solidarity. A natural bridge is now emerging between these two missions, linking the values of self-improvement, transmission and environmental responsibility.

In His address, the Sovereign Prince recalled the decisive role of philanthropic foundations in addressing the shared challenges of our time, welcoming the significance of this partnership:

“This year, our two Foundations have formed a partnership on sport and the environment. Within it, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation will hold in the coming weeks, an event to raise public awareness. It builds on the work we have shaped around the Pelagos Sanctuary, which protects marine mammals in the Mediterranean.”

At His side, H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco spoke of the ambition behind this alliance, whose first expression will take the form of the competition “Together crossing for the Pelagos”:

“By connecting sport with ocean conservation, my Foundation aims, through The Crossing taking place in June, to inspire engagement, promote the protection of the Mediterranean, and demonstrate that human achievement and environmental responsibility can move forward together."

From Viareggio, Italy, to Monaco, this water bike crossing, which will take place on 19 and 20 June, will offer far more than a sporting challenge: it will be an invitation to take a fresh look at the fragility and richness of an exceptional marine ecosystem. Extending over 87,500 km² between France, Monaco and Italy, the Pelagos Sanctuary is the first transboundary area in the Mediterranean dedicated to the protection of marine mammals. Sustained by a high concentration of plankton, this area is home to remarkable biodiversity, still often little known, including several species of whales and dolphins.

By bringing together sport, philanthropy and environmental responsibility, the two foundations intend to highlight three essential issues in order to renew our relationship with this shared sea: drowning prevention, swimming education and marine conservation in the Mediterranean.

Further joint initiatives will be unveiled in the coming months. They will build on the momentum created by this partnership through field-based actions, awareness-raising projects and key moments combining sport, environmental responsibility and collective engagement.

© Frédéric Nebinger / Palais Princier & © Manuel Vitali