59th BP Fellowship Event - Monte-Carlo

On 23rd and 24th April 2010 the 59th BP Fellowship Event took place in Monte-Carlo (Monaco). 

The Principality of Monaco is home to a number of Baden-Powell Fellows who enthusiastically invited the Board of the Foundation to hold its meeting there. And, they offered to host a dinner to introduce Scouting and the Fellowship to their friends. It was the first-ever Foundation event to be held in Monaco.

It was very nearly cancelled! The volcanic ash from Iceland made travel impossible for many. In the final hours, the Foundation’s Honorary Chairman, His Majesty The King of Sweden, declared he would take the train from Sweden to the south of France if necessary, but there should be absolutely no doubt that he would be there!

Indeed, His Majesty and Her Majesty arrived just in time to be received at the Prince’s Palace, along with the other board members, by H.S.H Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Later the Prince welcomed gala dinner guests and spoke at some length about the value of the education that Scouting provides, especially concerning the protection of the environment. “We can do much more!” he said.

Following the dinner, His Majesty The King of Sweden welcomed 26 new members into the Baden-Powell Fellowship, including Prince Albert. Most of the new members are from Monaco, giving it the distinction of having the largest number of Fellowship members, per-capita, in the world.

Grateful appreciation was given to hosts, and Baden-Powell Fellows, Patricia Husson and Mikael Krafft.

For pictures of the event check here.