EXCLUSIVE
© Frédéric Nebinger
Princess Stephanie with patients of the « Maison de Vie » of « Fight Aids Monaco » situated in the town of Carpentras
© Palais Princier
HelloMonaco : Your Highness , you have done a lot for the fight against AIDS and you are carrying on with your efforts . Is it possible to reach any conclusions in this area ?
Princess Stephanie : The fight is far from over . The enthusiasm for this battle has waned , new generations are ignorant of the problem . They need to be educated as early as high school , even middle school . People must no longer hide their HIV status . HIV does not get transmitted with a smile ! Sadly , there is still a stigma even around its research . People will give money more easily for the fight against cancer whereas everything is actually connected .
Our reception centre in Carpentras , the « Maison de Vie », has a number of poignant testimonies , later made into a film . We have given a taste of life back to these patients , thus winning one of the battles . A 1 or 2 week stay at this place can sometimes be an alternative to antidepressants . Psychologically , it is very hard to live with HIV . Especially that now we are starting to see seniors who were infected in the early 1980s ...
HM : Do you think there is a resemblance to the current health crisis ?
Princess Stephanie : If we had been that mobilized at the HIV occurrence , it would have been less deadly ! Fighting COVID will remain a priority even if there is still a great number of HIV infections concurrently . We do have a solution for slowing down the current epidemic though : getting tested .
HM : Are you worried about this epidemic ?
Princess Stephanie : I am worried about everyone else . We are experiencing a collective frustration with no possibility for planning for the future . Human beings , however , are designed to be making plans . I am also sad to witness the stupidity of those throwing masks in the street or in the sea . It is lamentable . I ’ d like to hope there will be an improvement .
People must no longer hide their HIV status . HIV does not get transmitted with a smile !
HM : What would you recommend ? Being prudent or almost going back to normal with a focus on collective immunity ?
Princess Stephanie : I don ’ t believe the weak should be left at the mercy of natural selection ! We have to be careful , respectful and compassionate — values that sadly are rare today . Wearing a mask is not that much of a big deal ! If we have to live with it for a while , it ’ s better than dying !
HM : How did you experience living through the confinement with your daughters ?
Princess Stephanie : At the end , we were nostalgic … During the confinement we were able to breathe , take our time and enjoy what we were doing . Walking our dogs , doing puzzles , sports and a lot of cooking . I have always cooked for my children myself . We also emptied our wardrobes .
HM : You are , I believe , a particularly attentive mother , a real « mother hen »...
Princess Stephanie : A little too much of a « mother hen » according to my children ... Hav-
Princess Stephanie with her daughters having arrived at the Monaco City Hall for the wedding ceremony of her son Louis
ing dinner together is fundamental for sharing and telling each other about our day . My parents made it a tradition , and my children are carrying it on to this day .
HM : What was your experience with your son Louis ’ marriage ?
Princess Stephanie : I was incredibly proud , it was a very moving ceremony . Marie is a beautiful girl with a heart of gold , my son is very much in love . They have been together for
© Palais Princier
Louis with his wife Marie during their wedding dinner in Monte-Carlo Bay
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