On Thursday evening, Their Serene Highness Prince Albert II and his wife Princess Charlène emblazoned the annual Sainte-Dévote's boat, as tradition demands.

Every January 27th the Monegasques celebrate their patron saint, Devote. And every year, the ceremonies begin the evening before, in the presence of the sovereign prince. This Thursday, January 26, at nightfall, Prince Albert II, accompanied by his wife Princess Charlene, was on the Albert I quay.

The princely couple signed the most spectacular act of this religious feast: the burning of the boat of Sainte-Dévote. This one recalls the frail boat that would have grounded, towards the year 304, on the shore of Monaco one January 27th. Inside was the body of a young saint-Devote- who had been martyred at Lucciana in Corsica.

Armed with a torch, Albert II and Charlène of Monaco - who just celebrated her 39th birthday - set fire to the symbolic boat, after the procession of the relics of the saint, followed by the Salute Of the Most Holy Sacrament in the church of Sainte-Dévote. Still too small to participate in such a religious ceremony, their adorable twins, two year old Hereditary prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were not present
Photo Credits: Prince Palace/Monaco/Facebook