Monaco’s Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques celebrated their eighth birthday over the weekend and highlighted an important cause.
Celebrating at Monaco’s Oceanographic Institute, the young twins helped prepare a pack of juvenile turtles who will soon depart the principality to join the Turtle Village in Noflaye, Senegal.
In a Facebook post on the Princely Palace account, it was revealed that Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques were joined by their parents, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, for the engagement.
The twins were photographed petting the turtles and decorating their crates. According to the EcoFund website, over 600 turtles have been rescued and rehabilitated by the Turtle Village, with the ultimate goal of releasing them into nature reserves and parks around Senegal.
According to the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, the young royals helped prepare 46 juvenile turtles for their journey to Senegal. Their participation was part of the first round of a three-year programme to rehabilitate and return turtles to the wild.
The turtles will leave the Turtle Village after rehabilitation and be sent to the Koyli Alpha Nature Reserve, where they will be observed for two years.
Later in the day, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques celebrate their birthday with a party at the Prince’s Palace, featuring special guests Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog and Kung-Fu Panda alongside their parents. Princess Gabriella was dressed as a Japanese geisha, while Prince Jacques was dressed in a jumper and jeans.
Princess Charlene posted an emotional tribute to her children on Instagram, writing “Happy Birthday, my loves” to a collage of photos set to Tim McGraw’s song ‘Humble and Kind.’
In a recent interview with Monaco Matin, Prince Albert said that the twins were very close, like accomplices, that they’re gaining greater maturity and understanding of the world, and that “it is amazing for any parent to see their children grow up.”
