The National Day of Monaco (French: La Fête du Prince, literally Prince's holiday) also known as The Sovereign Prince's Day is currently annually celebrated on 19 November.
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Date
The date of the National Day is traditionally determined by the reigning Prince. The previous Princes often chose the day of the saint they were named after. For instance the late Prince Rainier III chose the 19th of November, the day that celebrates St. Rainier. When Prince Albert II ascended the throne he ended this tradition by choosing the same day as his father, instead of the day of St. Albert, the 15th of November. The 19th of November also happens to be the same day of Albert II's official ascension to the throne.
Celebrations
National day is typically celebrated with fireworks over the harbour the evening before and a mass in the St. Nicholas Cathedral the next morning.
The people of Monaco may celebrate by waving the Monegasque flag.
It is an opportunity to see the pomp and circumstance of the Principality. Knights of Malta, distinguished ambassadors, consuls and state officials wear medal-laden uniforms as they congregate in the Saint Nicholas Cathedral after the mass. The Princely family of Monaco is expected to show up on national day as well on occasion, the duke and duchess of Castro The birth of Albert II's children has been celebrated in a similar fashion as a national day and 7 January 2015 was declared a public holiday (one-time only).