Princess Charlene of Monaco Opens Inaugural Monaco Sevens with Tribute to Rugby Legend Dominici

Key facts

• Princess Charlene performed the ceremonial kick-off for the Elite Men’s tournament on 1 May at the Prince Jacques Stadium in Beausoleil.
• The Monaco Sevens featured 16 teams from Monaco, Italy, Poland, the UAE and Georgia across three draws.
• In the Elite Men’s final, Seventise beat UAE Shaheen 35-14.
• Poland won the women’s competition after defeating Umusa.
• The tournament paid tribute to Christophe Dominici, the French rugby legend who died in November 2020.
• Dominici’s daughters Kiara and Mya presented trophies to the best players alongside their mother Loretta Denaro.
• Princess Charlene’s father, Michael Kenneth Wittstock, was a rugby player who introduced her to the sport.

A Princess, a Rugby Pitch, and a Promise

On Friday 1 May, Princess Charlene of Monaco stepped onto the pitch at the Prince Héréditaire Jacques Stadium in Beausoleil not as a former Olympic swimmer, but as president of the Monegasque Rugby Federation. Alongside Antoine Zeghdar, Olympic judo champion at Paris 2024 and patron of the event, she performed the ceremonial kick-off for the Elite Men’s tournament of the first Monaco Sevens. The day marked a personal milestone for a princess whose lifelong passion for rugby has quietly shaped her public agenda.

The Tournament: Scores, Teams, and a Home Victory

Sixteen teams from Monaco, Italy, Poland, the United Arab Emirates and Georgia competed across three draws: Open Men, Elite Men, and Women. In the women’s competition, Umusa beat Italian and Georgian sides but fell to Poland, which took the title. The Open Men’s trophy went to FMR, the first in the club’s history on home soil. The Elite Men’s final saw Seventise defeat UAE Shaheen 35-14. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene later presented the trophy to the winners.

Tribute to Christophe Dominici: A Family Moment

The day’s most moving moment came as a tribute to Christophe Dominici, the legendary French winger who died in November 2020. His daughters Kiara and Mya presented the trophies for the tournament’s best players, accompanied by their mother Loretta Denaro and Matthieu Lartot, the iconic voice of French rugby broadcasts. The gesture linked the principality’s new rugby tradition to the wider French rugby family, underscoring the sport’s emotional weight in the region.

Charlene’s Rugby Roots: From Father to Foundation

Princess Charlene’s connection to rugby runs deep. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, she grew up watching matches with her father, Michael Kenneth Wittstock, a rugby player who took her to games alongside her brothers Gareth and Sean, both of whom played. That early exposure evolved into a lifelong devotion that she has woven into her royal duties. The Monaco Sevens was organised by the Monegasque Rugby Federation and AS Monaco Rugby with support from the Princess Charlene Foundation, which also runs the Water Safety programme aimed at preventing drownings and teaching rescue techniques.

A Broader Royal Agenda: Pope, Style, and a Historic Visit

The tournament came amid a busy period for the princely couple. In recent weeks, Charlene and Albert hosted Pope Leo XIV in a historic visit to the principality and attended the inauguration of a new home for rescued dogs and cats. Charlene also debuted a curly bob hairstyle at the stadium, drawing attention to her evolving public image. The events underscore a discreet yet committed public agenda that balances ceremonial duties with personal projects, including the foundation’s water-safety initiatives.

Olympic Ambitions and the Future of Monaco Sevens

Monaco Rugby Sevens, the professional club with Prince Albert II as honorary president and 2022 French champions of the InExtenso SuperSevens, aims to one day represent Monaco at the Olympic Games. The inaugural Monaco Sevens reflects Princess Charlene’s commitment to developing rugby in the principality, building on a sport that has been part of her life since childhood. With the tournament now established, the question is whether Monaco can translate this debut into a stepping stone toward Olympic qualification.

The bottom line

• Princess Charlene’s role as president of the Monegasque Rugby Federation and her lifelong rugby passion were on full display at the first Monaco Sevens.
• The tournament drew 16 teams from five countries, with Seventise winning the Elite Men’s final 35-14 and Poland taking the women’s title.
• A tribute to Christophe Dominici, whose daughters presented awards, added an emotional layer to the event.
• The Princess Charlene Foundation supported the tournament, linking rugby to the princess’s broader water-safety and sports-education work.
• Monaco Rugby Sevens aims for Olympic representation, with the inaugural event serving as a foundation for that ambition.