Biography of HSH Marcello I, Prince of Seborga
HSH Marcello I di Seborga (Marcello Menegatto) was born in Lecco, Italy, on 12 May 1978.
While he was still at the age of studies, his family (his father Giancarlo was a well-known textile industrialist from Brianza) decided to move to Switzerland. Marcello attended the Institut Monte Rosa in Montreux (where he also met his future wife, Nina Döbler, originally from Kempten, Germany) and learnt English and French. He then moved to the Principality of Monaco.
A great fan of motor boating, Marcello Menegatto also boasts a long career in water motor sports. He began his sporting career in 1997, at the age of 19, racing the Venezia-Montecarlo in the Tamoil-Zepter team, together with Gianfranco Rossi. In Formula 1 and Formula 2 inshore he has always raced for the Monegasque Power Boating Federation. In 2000 he became the world endurance champion in the Sport category; also for this reason in November of the same year he received from HSH Rainier III of Monaco the Gold Medal for Physical Education and Sport. He later won four European titles and five Italian titles. Subsequently, after a partial retirement, Menegatto ran only two races a year, achieving good results especially in the Pininfarina Trophy and the Gazzetta dello Sport Trophy. On 2 and 3 October 2010 he took part in the Italian Grand Prix of the Class 1 Offshore World Championship, held in the Borromean Islands, together with the ten-time inshore world champion Guido Cappellini, his personal friend; Menegatto finished second in both rounds. On 8 and 9 July 2017 Prince Marcello took part in Augustów (Poland) in a race of the powerboating world championship in the Endurance category, class S2, finishing third and second in the two rounds.
From 2002 to 2004 he was involved in a diplomatic experience, becoming Honorary Consul of the Republic of Panama at the Principality of Monaco.
Later, he approached the business world and founded a construction company specializing in luxury constructions. His company has been engaged in building interventions in the historic center of Seborga.
In 2005 he acquired the Seborgan nationality, buying a ranch with multiple species of animals, including fifteen thoroughbred horses, of which he is passionate along with his wife.
On 20 February 2010 Marcello Menegatto became a candidate for the succession of Prince Giorgio I of Seborga, who was died in November 2009. On 27 March 2010 the Council of Priors announced the acceptance of his candidacy.
On 25 April 2010 he was elected Prince of Seborga by the Seborgans with an open ballot. He defeated his opponent Gian Luigi Morgia with the result of 89 to 67.
On 22 May 2010 he received the official investiture as Prince of Seborga.
During his reign, Prince Marcello tried to continue the work of his predecessor, giving a more modern and institutional image to the Principality and promoting the latter – also internationally – to facilitate the economic and tourist development of the country.
On 20 March 2017, Prince Marcello reapplied for the leadership of the Principality of Seborga. On 30 March 2017, the Crown Council and the Council of Priors announced the acceptance of his candidacy.
On 23 April 2017 he was re-elected Prince of Sebora by the Seborgans. He defeated his opponent Mark Dezzani with the result of 129 to 42 (75.44% against 24.56%).
On 20 August 2017 he received the official investiture as Prince of Seborga.
On 12 April 2019 he abdicated “for reasons of a personal and family nature”, remaining in office ad interim until the election of his successor, HSH Princess Nina, which took place on 10 November 2019.
