Prince Albert of Monaco appeared with a visible facial scar during his first public engagements after a scheduled dermatological procedure, including a Saturday audience with Pope Leo at the Vatican.
The 67-year-old sovereign met the pontiff on January 17, 2026, photographs showing a healed incision across his left cheek. The mark follows a palace statement the previous day that Albert had undergone “a scheduled, short medical procedure on his scalp and face to treat a benign condition” and required “a few stitches.”
The Procedure and Public Appearances
According to the Princely Palace of Monaco, the dermatological follow-up was routine and did not disrupt the prince’s calendar. Officials emphasized that “The Sovereign Prince’s schedule of activities continues as normal,” a claim borne out by his packed weekend.
Within 24 hours of the palace update, Albert:
- Attended the 48th International Circus Festival in Monaco on Friday evening
- Greeted Pope Leo at the Apostolic Palace on Saturday morning
- Held separate talks with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign-relations chief
Scar or no scar, cameras captured the prince smiling and engaging in conversation, signaling no apparent discomfort.
Vatican Talks Focus on Diplomacy and Global Crises
The Holy See Press Office told Vatican News that discussions covered:
- The “good diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the principality of Monaco”
- The Catholic Church’s “historic and significant contribution” to Monaco’s social fabric
- Joint concerns such as environmental protection, humanitarian aid, and human dignity
- International affairs, “with particular emphasis on peace and security, as well as on the general situation in the Middle East and in certain regions of Africa”
No communiqué mentioned the prince’s medical matter, focusing instead on policy overlap between the tiny Mediterranean monarchy and the Vatican.
A Reign Marked by Milestones and Health Transparency
Albert succeeded his father, Prince Rainier III, in April 2005 and celebrated 20 years on the throne in 2025. The prince has previously used palace statements to keep the public informed about health issues, a practice that continued with this month’s dermatology update.
Royal watchers noted that Albert also met:
- Pope Francis in 2022 and 2016
- Pope Benedict XVI in 2013
The Saturday audience adds Pope Leo to that list, placing Monaco’s monarch in the company of other European royals received at the Vatican in recent months. In October, King Charles made headlines by praying alongside Leo in the Sistine Chapel, the first public prayer between a British monarch and a pope since the 16th-century Reformation.
Family and Succession
Albert and his wife, Princess Charlene, are parents to 11-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. Jacques stands first in line to the Monegasque throne, ensuring continuity of the Grimaldi dynasty that has ruled the rocky enclave for more than seven centuries.
While the prince’s scar drew camera zooms, the palace messaging stayed consistent: minor medical issue resolved, business as usual. With the circus festival and the Vatican behind him, Albert is expected to maintain his regular roster of duties, environmental advocacy, and preparations for Monaco’s next social season.
