PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Prince Albert II, the sovereign ruler of Monaco, came to West Philadelphia on Thursday to observe the Philadelphia Zoo's educational programs.
Albert, the son of the late actress and East Falls native Grace Kelly, is in town this week for his foundation's Planetary Health Awards on Friday, at the Kimmel Center. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation gave an undisclosed amount of money to fund a portion of the zoo's conservation education efforts, both on-site and in schools.
"I am so happy to help with the educational programs here with the foundation," he said, "so it's really a pleasure to see the interaction with all the kids here. It's absolutely wonderful."
During his visit, the prince also visited the KidZooU exhibit, where he met a goat, a snake and a hawk. All the while, the king and queen of beasts —a pair of lions — watched the prince from the Zoo360 overhead trail system.
Prince Albert II (right) looks up at the lions watching him from the Zoo360 overhead trail.John McDevitt/KYW Newsradio
Dani Hogan, the zoo's director of mission integration, says the funding from the foundation is crucial to operate the nonprofit institution.
"We are privately owned and operated, so that type of foundational support is critical for us to be able to deliver our mission," explained Hogan, "especially to the students in Philadelphia, which our three programs — the UNLESS program, Wild Connections and West Philadelphia Scholars — all deeply support."
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has supported environmental causes and promoted sustainability since its establishment in 2006.
