Prince Albert and Will Smith Usher in a green new era for Monaco water racing

A deep-rooted connection to the sea is central to Monaco's identity, and the sovereign has found fresh ways to champion it.

Prince Albert of Monaco, Will Smith, and Alejandro Agag: The Photo Ushering in a New Chapter for the Principality

JULY 20, 2026 5:54 PM EDTJUL 20, 2026, 5:54 PM EDT

Even in a playground of billionaires, Will Smith knows how to steal the spotlight. The actor caused an absolute sensation in Monaco, stepping off a boat to sign autographs for crowds gathered at the summer's premier water sports event. Greeted at the dock by Prince Albert II, Smith oozed effortless charm as he continues to rebuild his public image after the infamous 2022 Oscars slap. But this wasn't just a glam photo op. It was the moment that kicked off a brand-new chapter for the Principality.

Ditching the VIP lounge for the tarmac, Smith spends time in the pits supporting his squad on race day.

Star Power Meets Clean Energy

Smith did not just show up in Monaco on a whim. He is the owner and public face of the Westbrook Racing team, one of the top contenders in the E1 Series, which made his presence an instant draw for the championship. He wanted to support his team in person at a crucial spot on the calendar, spending time in the paddock, greeting drivers, and engaging with a warm accessibility that surprised even the organizers. His visit bolstered the event’s global appeal and brought an extra touch of glamour to a day hosted by Prince Albert, a passionate advocate for water sports.

Winning energy on the French Riviera. Team owner Will Smith joins drivers Sara Price and Lucas Ordóñez to celebrate Westbrook Racing’s triumphant performance in the Monaco paddock.

The E1 Series is a new electric boat racing championship created by Alejandro Agag, the Spanish entrepreneur who previously disrupted motorsport with Formula E and Extreme E. His drive to bring innovation and sustainability to water sports has turned the league into one of the buzzier projects in the sport right now. Monaco’s bond with the ocean is a core part of its DNA. In recent years, the Principality has doubled down on that legacy by backing safer, more sustainable competitions aligned with Prince Albert’s environmental focus.

Founder Alejandro Agag, Prince Albert, and Will Smith pose together, signaling a sustainable new era for water sports.

A Family Legacy Transformed

The Grimaldi family has always maintained strong ties to the water, tracing back to Stefano Casiraghi, an avid offshore powerboat racer (a discipline that, in its most extreme form, has virtually disappeared from the international circuit), and continuing with Pierre Casiraghi, who pivoted to sailing and competes in some of the world's toughest regattas. That family tradition, now reframed around clean tech and eco-conscious formats, explains why these initiatives feel so right at home in modern-day Monaco.

Carrying the torch. Monaco’s royal connection to the sea traces back to Stefano Casiraghi, inspiring a legacy of marine passion that defines the Principality to this day.

At home on the water. Following in his late father’s footsteps, Pierre Casiraghi keeps the Grimaldi family’s passion for competitive ocean racing alive on the world stage.

The Modern Riviera Dream

It is all unfolding during a classic Monégasque summer, where boat races blend seamlessly with charity galas, grand openings, high-profile dinners, and beach clubs that set the social tempo for this tiny yet influential French Riviera enclave. What Prince Rainier and Princess Grace once envisioned, as the pioneers who first lured Hollywood royalty to Monaco, remains a vibrant reality today.

The architects of Monaco’s Golden Era. Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace transformed the tiny Principality into a global capital of glamour, setting the stage for decades of Hollywood royalty on the French Riviera.