Prince Albert of Monaco was seen with a deep scar on his cheek while meeting Pope Leo XIV today.
It was announced that the royal ‘underwent a procedure’ on his scalp and face, but a scar was also spotted on the top of the Prince’s head as he ducked out of a vehicle enroute to the Vatican.
The 67-year-old royal underwent the surgery after a dermatological check up, with the palace saying in a statement on Friday that it was a ‘scheduled, short medical procedure on his scalp and face to treat a benign condition’.
‘The Princely Palace reports that, as part of a routine dermatological follow-up, H.S.H. Prince Albert II underwent a scheduled, short medical procedure on his scalp and face to treat a benign condition,’ the statement read.
‘The procedure required a few stitches. The Sovereign Prince’s schedule of activities continues as normal.’
Prince Albert, the current head of the state of Monaco, was received by Pope Leo at the Vatican on Saturday, having met the new Pope in May last year.
The Catholic sovereign previously met Pope Francis in 2022 and 2016, and before then met Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.
His wife, former Olympic swimmer, Princess Charlene, 47, has suffered her own health battles, having to take time off from public duties in 2021 to battle an ear, nose and throat infection.
Prince Albert was invited to an audience with Pope Leo XIV today at the Vatican
The Catholic sovereign was spotted with a scar on his cheek and on the top of his head following a ‘medical procedure’, the palace said
The Catholic monarch has met Pope Leo before, in May 2025 at his historic inauguration mass
Prince Albert said to People magazine at the time: ‘I’m really proud of my wife.
‘Charlene’s doing really well. As you can see for yourself, she’s been active in any number of different events.
‘Charlene’s engaging more in public life and looking after things that she’s passionate about.’
In May, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain, and Queen Mathilde of Belgium met Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City’s St Peter’s Square following his historic inauguration mass.
Charlene, Letizia, and Mathilde looked equally stunning in all-white ensembles at the event.
The three royals are allowed to wear white in front of the Pope because they are Catholic Queens and Princesses.
They were each one of only seven women in the world who have ‘the privilege of the white’ – or the ability to wear white when meeting with the Pope.
Called le privilége du blanc in French or il privilegio del bianco in Italian, the special tradition is extended solely to designated Catholic queens and princesses and is reserved for important events at the Vatican, such as private audiences, canonisations, beatifications, and special masses.
Normal protocol for papal audiences requires that ladies wear a long black dress with a high collar and long sleeves and a black mantilla.
Prince Albert, meanwhile, looked dapper in a navy suit as he arrived alongside Charlene.
