Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene Lead Scientific Expedition to Greenland
Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco
The Prince and Princess of Monaco are leading a new scientific expedition to Greenland. On the way, the expedition stopped off Iceland's west coast to honour polar explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot.
On 1 July, the Monaco Institute of Ocean Sciences officially launched the "Greenland Advocacy and Scientific Expedition", an initiative bringing together scientific research, environmental advocacy and international cooperation. The expedition is led by Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene.
On its way to Greenland, the expedition stopped off Iceland's west coast to pay tribute to the legendary French polar explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot. His research vessel, Pourquoi-Pas?, was wrecked in the area ninety years ago, on 16 September 1936, and Charcot died in the shipwreck.
Princess Charlene throws a white rose into the sea in memory of Jean-Baptiste Charcot and the crew of the Pourquoi-Pas?. Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco
Prince Albert honours the polar explorer with a white rose. Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco
The tribute ceremony brought together Prince Albert, Princess Charlene, former President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson and Anne Manipoud-Charcot, the explorer's great-granddaughter. The ceremony also celebrated the historic bond between Captain Charcot and Prince Albert I of Monaco, two pioneers united by a shared passion for oceanography and scientific discovery.
The participants of the tribute ceremony gathered on deck with white roses. Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco
Prince Albert together with, among others, former President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson during the ceremony. Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco