Prince Antoine V: “My Reign Will Be One of Direct Action in Wallmapu”
MONACO – Following his solemn coronation in the Principality, H.R.H. Prince Antoine V (Laurent Lafayne), the 9th Sovereign of the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia, sits down for an exclusive interview. Reflecting on a historic 2025 and outlining his 2026 diplomatic ambitions, the Prince defines a modern monarchy rooted in heritage but driven by field-based advocacy.
2025: A Year of Legitimacy and Universal Tributes
Your Royal Highness, 2025 was the year of your accession to the throne. How do you view the past few months?
Prince Antoine V: 2025 was a year of foundations and profound emotion. It began on May 12, 2025, the day of my election—a moment of immense responsibility where I accepted the duty to carry forward the legacy of Orélie-Antoine. This journey reached its pinnacle on November 22 in Monaco during my coronation.
Choosing the Principality for this event was a strategic decision: it provided an international platform to bring the Mapuche cause back into the global spotlight. One of the most poignant moments was our tribute to universalism: I awarded the Kingdom’s highest distinction to Josephine Baker, posthumously. The honor was accepted by her son, Luis Baker, sealing an eternal bond between our struggle for indigenous identity and the values of freedom she so courageously embodied.
You also marked a significant moment in Dordogne, the land of your predecessor.
Prince Antoine V: Indeed. On June 18, 2025, I traveled to Tourtoirac to pay tribute to my ancestor, the Founding Monarch Orélie-Antoine. To reflect at his grave is to return to the source of our legitimacy. However, I have always been clear: the role of the Sovereign is not merely to lay wreaths in the French countryside. Memory is a foundation, not a final destination.
2026: The Wallmapu Mission and Field Engagement
The coming year is described as the “Great Departure.” What are the objectives of your upcoming journey to Wallmapu?Prince Antoine V: My priority is to be present where the heart of our nation beats. I am traveling to Wallmapu for a critical field mission. I am not going as a tourist, but as a spokesperson and a shield. I will meet with Ancestral Authorities and Mapuche communities to listen to their needs and reaffirm our unwavering solidarity.
Through our humanitarian arm, the NGO Order of the Southern Star, the Kingdom already supports numerous local project leaders.
Whether it is cultural preservation, territorial rights, or sustainable development, I want to see firsthand how we can amplify these actions to meet the concrete needs of the people.
How do you plan to raise awareness for this cause on the international stage in 2026?
Prince Antoine V: The struggle for Mapuche recognition must transcend borders. We are planning several Royal events in iconic global locations throughout 2026. The goal is to transform historical sympathy for our Kingdom into effective diplomatic leverage. Araucania and Patagonia are not romantic 19th-century concepts; they are a living reality that demands justice, dignity, and international visibility today.
For more information on our history and current missions, I invite the public to visit our official platform: araucanie-patagonie.org.
