Prince Albert’s latest palace meeting reveals Monaco’s surprising interest in space

Prince Albert II traded royal protocol for a conversation about life beyond Earth as he welcomed French astronaut Thomas Pesquet to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco.

The palace shared footage of the unusual audience on September 11, showing the two men shaking hands and speaking inside one of the royal residence’s elegant rooms. The meeting brought together Monaco’s sovereign and one of Europe’s best-known astronauts to discuss some decidedly forward-looking subjects.

According to the palace, their conversation addressed “the major challenges related to space exploration, scientific research and the preservation of our planet.” Prince Albert also reaffirmed Monaco’s interest in technological advances that can expand scientific knowledge while helping protect the environment.

The audience comes as Pesquet looks toward another potential journey beyond Earth. Monaco’s official program for his visit noted that the astronaut was expected to discuss a future flight envisioned for around 2027. 

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French President Emmanuel Macron also recently identified Pesquet as the prospective commander of an upcoming European mission, although its complete crew and timetable have not yet been finalized.

It would mark another milestone in an extraordinary career. Pesquet has already completed two extended missions aboard the International Space Station, first in 2016 and 2017 and again in 2021. 

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During his second stay, he became the first French astronaut to command the ISS. In total, he has spent more than a year in space and completed six spacewalks.

His palace audience formed part of a packed visit to the Principality. Pesquet also met with Monaco’s Minister of State, spoke to approximately 300 young people at Lycée Albert Ier and delivered a public conference titled Space Exploration Today and Tomorrow. 

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During the school event, he spoke about his missions, the realities of living hundreds of miles above Earth and the determination required to pursue a career in science.

The astronaut’s itinerary also included a visit to Venturi Space, the Monaco-based company working on technology for lunar vehicles. The stop added another layer to his meeting with Prince Albert, connecting their palace conversation about the future of exploration with work already taking place inside the small Mediterranean nation.

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Although Monaco is closely associated with glamour, Formula One and its famous royal family, Prince Albert has made environmental protection and scientific research central parts of his public work. 

His commitment follows a long Grimaldi tradition established by his great-great-grandfather, Prince Albert I, a pioneering oceanographer and explorer.

This time, however, the principality’s attention was directed far beyond its celebrated coastline and toward its possible role in the next chapter of European space exploration.