It’s not every day you receive royal correspondence.

But the team at Cork’s Imperial Hotel were treated to a special message from Monaco this week when a formal envelope containing an enchanting greeting card landed on the doormat.

Addressed to Hotel Manager Bastien Peyraud and bearing the distinctive postmark ‘Bonne Année Monte Carlo, Pte De Monaco’ along with a crown motif, the card features an illustrated family portrait of the Royal Family of Monaco.

The Imperial Hotel has a long-standing connection with the famous family, who were guests of the historic hotel 60 years ago during an official state visit to Ireland by Prince Rainier, Princess Grace and their young children Princess Caroline and Prince Albert.

The card’s colourful illustration features Sovereign Prince Albert of the House of Grimaldi along with his wife Princess Charlene of Monaco and twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacque standing by a decorated Christmas tree, along with the greeting: “At the dawn of this New Year we send our warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022” and was signed by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene with French and Monegasque.”

This anniversary of the royal visit was marked by the hotel in 2021 with a special focus on the date; June 24th, 1961.

Events included a photographic exhibit on their ‘Wall of History, a photoshoot recreating Princess Grace’s iconic style and an elegant Princess Grace themed afternoon tea paying homage to her favourite things.

Correspondence detailing the plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the visit to Cork was sent last year to Prince Albert’s private secretary.

“It may seem like something small but to myself and all our team here at the hotel receiving these greetings and good wishes from the Royal Family of Monaco is a lovely compliment to our passion to look after all our guests, who to us are always VIPs.” said Mr Peyraud.

“The acknowledgement of our history and the efforts by all the team to pay tribute to this Royal relationship is very appreciated and has given us a welcome boost as we head into the New Year.”