‘Anglophile’ Monaco ambassador tells UK Speaker: We love the British
21 July 2021 (updated on 21 July 2021)
British people living in Monaco are highly thought of by the local population, its ambassador told Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
Her Excellency Evelyne Genta said 2,800 of Monaco’s 38,000-strong population were UK citizens – and many of these were eager participants in local clubs, sports and charities.
"They are very much appreciated in Monaco because they blend in so well", she said, adding that she "was the biggest Anglophile you have ever met".
Mrs Genta made the comments during a virtual meeting organised by Sir Lindsay as part of his Speaker-led UK parliamentary diplomacy to establish enduring ties between countries and parliamentarians.
The Monaco ambassador said her country had been hit hard by the pandemic, "as tourism is a big part of our lives".
"Normally we love to welcome British tourists – they love to come," she said, adding that the population of the principality almost doubles to 70,000 people when the annual Grand Prix takes place each May.
Sir Lindsay said he was pleased relations between the two nations were so amicable, adding that in future he looked forward to meeting the ambassador in person.
Image credit: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor