Rosemont Art Advisory is honoured to share with our readers the exclusive interview with the legendary Carabiniers du Prince Albert II de Monaco on the occasion of the Fête Nationale of Monaco.
“La Fête du Prince", better known as the "Fête Nationale" (National Holiday), has been held since 1952 on 19 November, feast day of the Blessed Raniero (Rainier) of Arezzo, Prince Rainier III’s Patron Saint.
On His Accession to the throne in 2005, H.S.H. Prince Albert II decided to keep this date for commemorating the Monegasque National Holiday. Prince of Monaco Albert II holds the rank of Colonel is the Commander in Chief. As in all countries, the National Holiday is an opportunity for the community to celebrate its national identity and traditions. On this occasion, the Monegasque people and the residents of Monaco gather around the Sovereign Prince, Head of State, and the Princely Family. Deeply attached to the Princely Family, the Palace Guards are proud of their motto: "Honour, loyalty, devotion".
Rosemont Art Advisory sat down with Mr. Benjamin Bogreau, in charge of the Communication Unit of the Carabiniers du Prince.
Dear Mr. Bogreau,
I wish to thank you for according us your precious time just few hours before the National Feast of Monaco, to conduct the Part 1 of the interview for our international art audiences.
We already look forward to part 2 of the interview in December and wish you a very festive Fete Nationale today.
The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince is one of the few armies in the world that recruits foreigners. Indeed, the riflemen are of French nationality.
Founded by Prince Honoré IV on December 8, 1817, the Carabinieri Corps became, on January 26, 1904 under the reign of Prince Albert I, the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince. The Company currently has 125 soldiers including three officers. The riflemen are mostly former soldiers, but a number of them come from the civilian world. Promotions are based on merit and can go up to the epaulet (officer). Along with the Fire Brigade Corps, the Carabinieri form the Force Publique de Monaco.
Q1. Please share with us which year was the company of Carabiniers du Prince created and who were the “Papalins” back in the 19th century and how have you evolved over the years?
The Carabinieri Corps was created on December 8, 1817 under the reign of Prince Honoré IV. The riflemen’s primary mission was to provide police in the city of Menton, which was then part of the Principality. In 1822, Prince Honoré V entrusted the guard of the Palace to the carabinieri in order to reward them for their dedication. They guard the Palace until 1870, helped by other corps of Monegasque troops (Civic Guard, National Guard, National Militia).
The Carabinieri and the National Militia were replaced at the Palace from June 11, 1870 by 52 soldiers from the ranks of the French Imperial Army of Napoleon III. Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the workforce was supplemented by former soldiers from the troops of the Pontifical Army, hence the nickname Papalins. The Papalins remained in the service of Prince Albert I until January 26, 1904. On that date, by Sovereign Order, the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince was created to replace the Papalins.
During the different reigns of Princes Albert I, Louis II and Rainier III, changes in service were made, for example in the changing of the guard ceremonial and in certain missions. In fact, until the 1950s, the riflemen provided honor and surveillance services in various places in the Principality. Following the creation of new missions at the Palace, these services were gradually phased out during the reign of Prince Rainier III. Since the beginning of the reign of Sovereign Prince Albert II, the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince has been constantly modernizing in order to meet current requirements.
Q2. Now a question connected to fashion and your dress code, please share with us what is the uniform of a Carabinieri composed of, does it have a summer and winter stylistical edition and who designed it? Do you always need to wear a helmet and a weapon?
Under the reign of Prince Albert I, the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince has a winter / summer dress code.
Winter dress includes a blue helmet that entered service in 1903, a black jacket with an officer collar with red and white trefoils and aiguillettes, a white leather belt, blue pants with red stripes, white gaiters, and white gloves.
The summer outfit was originally a so-called "mixed" outfit because it mixed several colors.
Thus, the white helmet entered into service in 1898 and the white pants were associated with a black jacket.
It wasn't until 1935, during the reign of Prince Louis II, that the all-white summer outfit entered service.
From 1950, a Corps badge was worn on winter / summer outfits on the right pocket of the jacket.
Other changes are made during this period. In 1952, the officer collar on the winter outfit disappeared in favor of an open collar with a tie and white shirt visible.
In 1956, small red diamonds, called brisques, were added to the right sleeve of the jacket.
Each brisque corresponds to five years of service. Subsequently, the officer collar on the summer outfit also disappears in favor of an open collar with red bib.
Finally, since 1904, a red and white plume has existed and is worn on the helmet during major events in the Principality.
Helmets are worn most of the time on guard at the Palace, while there are two types of caps in the rifleman’s equipment.
One, red and black, is worn especially for the police service on Place du Palais. The other, blue and light, less formal, is intended for services such as shooting or first aid.
Credit Pictures: Cédric BERNARD Cellule Communication de la Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince