Prince Albert II traded traditional palace engagements for a weekend on two wheels as Monaco found itself at the center of the international cycling world.
The Monegasque sovereign played a starring role in a historic weekend for the Principality as it hosted the Grand Départ of La Vuelta 2026 for the first time.
© Tim de WaeleBut after helping mark the major sporting milestone, Albert's duties took an unexpected turn as he threw his support behind a very different kind of ride, one centered not on competition, but on peace.
From the red jersey to a historic start:
The celebrations began with the opening stage of La Vuelta, a 9.4-kilometer individual time trial held entirely through the streets of Monaco. Tadej Pogačar emerged victorious in a dramatic finish, beating Britain's Ethan Hayter by just nine hundredths of a second.
© Tim de WaelePrince Albert was there to mark the occasion, presenting the Slovenian cycling star with the coveted red jersey at the end of the historic first stage.
The following day, the action moved to the Place du Palais, where Albert officially helped send the riders on their way for Stage 2. According to the Prince's Palace, the sovereign greeted the cyclists before listening to the Spanish and Monegasque national anthems, performed by the Orchestra of the Prince's Carabinieri.
© MIGUEL MEDINAAlbert then cut the ceremonial ribbon alongside La Vuelta general director Javier Guillén before heading to Monaco's Jardin Exotique, where he lowered the official flag to signal the real start of the stage. The riders then set off toward Manosque, France, on the 214.3-kilometer route, the longest stage of this year's race.
© Europa Press NewsPrince Albert's very different ride:
Competition wasn't the only focus of the weekend. Ahead of Stage 2, Albert, who serves as patron of Peace and Sport, also gave the official start to the organization's Ride for Peace.
© Tim de WaeleA group of 50 riders, including Champions for Peace and former professional cyclists, came together for the symbolic ride through Monaco, traveling from the Place du Palais to the Jardin Exotique.
Rather than racing for a podium, the participants rode behind a shared message about the ability of sport to bring people together, encourage dialogue and contribute to peace.
© Tim de WaelePeace and Sport later thanked the riders and highlighted the "great energy" and "strong sense of togetherness" displayed throughout the event, saying that La Vuelta and the organization had demonstrated how international sporting events can become platforms for "dialogue and unity."
For Albert, the initiative brought another dimension to a weekend already filled with historic moments.
© Tim de WaeleMonaco may have welcomed some of the biggest names in cycling for its first La Vuelta Grand Départ, but the Prince also used the global spotlight to emphasize a message extending well beyond the finish line.
And after turning the Prince's Palace red for the occasion, presenting a world champion with La Vuelta's famous jersey and personally sending the peloton toward France, Monaco certainly made its first appearance at the Spanish Grand Tour one to remember.
