Prince Albert II of Monaco, the reigning monarch of the Principality of Monaco, arrived in Rwanda on Friday, September 26, on his first-ever visit. Since his arrival, the royal has engaged in a series of activities in Kigali and beyond, combining his well-known advocacy for environmental preservation with cultural diplomacy and support for global sports. ALSO READ: Who is Prince Albert II, the Monaco royal visiting Rwanda He arrived in Kigali as the city hosted the UCI Road World Championships, which he attended and participated in the awarding ceremonies. But his schedule included more high-level engagements, including his meeting with President Paul Kagame on September 27. PHOTOS: Kagame hosts UCI guests for Gala Dinner A passionate environmentalist, Prince Albert II is renowned for championing ocean conservation, biodiversity, and renewable energy as key solutions to climate change. In 2006, he established the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to advance these causes worldwide, raising funds and initiating ecological preservation projects. In Rwanda, his commitment was on display during a visit to Musanze District, where he toured beekeeping schools operated by the French Observatory of Apidology (OFA). Accompanied by OFA founder Thierry Dufresne, the Prince visited the Foyer de Charité “Virginie des Pauvres” in Ruhondo and the One & Only Parc des Volcans, both training centres that empower vulnerable women through modern apiculture. These schools teach sustainable honey production techniques that not only provide financial independence but also safeguard bees, a keystone species essential to global ecosystems. Speaking with trainees and instructors, the Prince praised their dedication, noting that the programme not only restores dignity but also strengthens entire communities. His visit culminated with the inauguration of a new apiary school in Musanze, further expanding OFA’s impact in Rwanda. The Prince also attended the UCI Gala Dinner hosted by President Kagame at Kigali Convention Centre on September 27, on the eve of the UCI Road World Championships finals. The party was hosted to celebrate the organisation of the world cycling championships, the first to be hosted on African soil. ALSO READ: Kagame slams elitism in global event hosting at UCI Congress President Kagame welcomed the Prince in Kigali and expressed appreciation for his support of cycling. “Thank you for your support for the sport of cycling and Africa's future in this wonderful sport,” Kagame said during the Gala Dinner, which was also attended by UCI President David Lappartient, along with guests and participants in the championships. ALSO READ: Who is 2025 UCI world champion Tadej Pogačar? Prince Albert II also graced the closing ceremony of the UCI 2025 Road World Championships, which concluded with Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar retaining the rainbow jersey in Kigali. Beyond public appearances, the monarch's visit is also understood to include high-level discussions that explored ways to deepen Monaco-Rwanda ties in areas such as sports, environmental conservation, and cultural diplomacy.
