Prince Albert II Returns to Lithuania for Diplomacy and Sport

Vilnius/Kaunas – His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco concluded a two-day visit to Lithuania, his second since 2012, marked by high-level talks and a celebration of sport at the World Modern Pentathlon Championships in Kaunas.

The visit began in Vilnius on Friday, where Prince Albert was welcomed by President Gitanas Nausėda at the Presidential Palace. Their meeting touched on global and regional issues, including Ukraine, climate change, economic ties, culture, and sport. The Prince also noted the connection with basketball, as Donatas Motiejūnas, captain of Monaco’s EuroLeague team, represents a living link between the two nations.

From Vilnius, the Prince traveled to Kaunas, where he attended the UIPM World Championships, an event especially significant as he serves as its patron. At the Žalgiris Arena, he watched the women’s semi-finals before joining Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis and UIPM President Robert Stull for a gala dinner featuring the Kaunas Symphony Orchestra.

On Saturday, Prince Albert visited the Pažaislis Monastery, a jewel of baroque architecture, before returning to the arena for the men’s final. In a memorable moment, he personally awarded the gold medal, underscoring his commitment to the Olympic movement and international sport.

Lithuanian officials described the visit as “very special,” combining diplomacy, cultural exchange, and athletic celebration. It was not only an opportunity to reaffirm ties between Lithuania and Monaco, but also a chance for citizens to witness a Head of State who continues to champion both global issues and the power of sport.