Few military forces wear the sun helmet as its primary headdress, but one exception is that of the small military power of Monaco. All together only 255 soldiers serve in Monaco’s military (the Force Publique) – making its military the third smallest in the world after Antigua and Barbuda, and Iceland – and of those 119 officers and men make up the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince’s Company of Carabiniers). Many of the NCOs and soldiers are local, but the officers generally served in the French Army or Republican Guard. Today the unit’s primary headdress is a white summer helmet based on the French 1878 pattern.
The Carabiniers were known in the 19th century as the “Papalins,” as it was made up of former soldiers of the Papal States – and in 1870 it was renamed the Gardes du Prince. In the early 20th century the unit was renamed the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers before evolving into the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince.
The winter uniforms of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince – complete with dark blue helmets that are similar in design to the white summer helmets
The winter parade dress uniform with plumes on the blue-cloth helmets.
As with other royal guard units this force is mostly ceremonial but is still tasked to ensure the security of the Sovereign and the Princely Family. In addition it is called upon to provide services to honor, and to assist law enforcement in times of need.
The summer uniforms of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince complete with helmets likely based on the French M1878 pattern sun helmet.
In the summer a simple white shirt sleeve order is worn with a white helmet, which features the royal crest of Prince Rainier III. Parade dress in the winter is a modernized version of that worn in the early 1900s. It comprises a dark blue tunic, and light blue trousers with red facings, while a medium-blue cloth helmet is worn, with plumes for gala occasions. White trefoil epaulettes, spats and aiguillettes date from the 19th century.
The current front plate on the white summer helmet features the royal crest of Prince Rainier III.
For ordinary duties a modern police style uniform is worn with a peaked cap replacing the helmet.
The helmets are likely produced in France, and this is believed to be among the last of the colonial pattern helmets still used by a military force on a regular basis in Europe today. One irony of course is that Monaco never had a colonial empire, yet still has uniforms and headdress that evoke the imperialist look of the 19th century.