Princely Family Celebrated Monaco's Patron Saint with Burning Boat

The Princely Family led Sunday evening's celebration of Monaco's patron saint Sainte Dévote, one of the principality's most important religious traditions. Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and their ten-year-old twins, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, were all present during the ceremony. The Princely Family arrives at the Sainte Dévote celebration.

A Saint's Journey Across the Sea

The celebration began when relics of Sainte Dévote arrived by sea to Monaco. According to legend, Dévote was a young Christian woman from Corsica who was martyred in the early 4th century. When the ship carrying her body passed Monaco during a storm, the sailors sought shelter in the small bay that now bears her name. The relics were carried in procession through Monaco's streets to the Church of Sainte-Dévote, where a solemn mass was held with the Princely Family in attendance. The Princely Family prepares to light the traditional boat.

The Boat Burning

The highlight came at nightfall when the Princely Family together set fire to a traditional wooden boat filled with olive and laurel branches. This ceremony commemorates a legend in which thieves attempted to steal Sainte Dévote's relics but were stopped by locals who burned their boat. The Princely Family lights the boat with torches. Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and both children each held a torch as they together lit the boat in front of a large crowd. The boat fully ablaze as spectators watch.

Drone Show and Traditional Songs

After the boat was completely consumed by flames, the evening concluded with traditional polyphonic songs and a spectacular drone show that spelled out "Viva Devota" in the night sky above Monaco. The Sainte Dévote feast marks the beginning of the religious year in Monaco and is one of the principality's most cherished traditions.