H.R.H Prince Antoine V Speech on the
50th anniversary
commemoration of Madam Josephine Baker
Monaco – Sat 22 Nov 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,
We are gathered here this evening in the name of a history forged by resistance, freedom, and justice. A history that began with the foundation of the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia by Antoine de Tounens. Few are those who dare to defy oppression and raise their heads. But their courage is a beacon, for these individuals who are ready to give everything, even their lives, for the sacred cause of liberty. We will now pay tribute to the memory of a woman whose existence was an incessant battle for liberty, equality, and civil rights.
A world-renowned artist, Joséphine Baker is much more than a legend: she is a heroine of our contemporary history. A courageous Resistance fighter during the German occupation, she was also that powerful and unique voice, the only woman to speak before Martin Luther King during the historic March on Washington in 1963. But beyond the icon, she was the loving mother of a “rainbow tribe.” A woman with an open heart who, in the gardens of the Château des Milandes, took the time to speak to my grandfather. The words exchanged between them, concerning my grandfather’s forced stay in Austria, his return with a hand that disabled him for the rest of his life, and his hair that he had lost and would never grow back… These memories have remained deeply etched.
It is also beautiful to remember that at the end of her life, Joséphine Baker found refuge and support in the Principality of Monaco, with her friend Princess Grace, demonstrating the friendship and solidarity that surrounded this exceptional woman. It is an immense honor for me, in the name of the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia, to posthumously present her with the medal of the Order of the Steel Crown – an order created in 1869 by my ancestor, Antoine de Tounens. Luis, I sincerely thank you for being here with us this evening. Your mother, Joséphine Baker, embodies a model of fighting spirit and resilience that inspires us every day. She is the proof that it is possible to fight and defeat injustice. This same inspiration is our strength in the struggle we lead for the Mapuche people to regain their rights over their ancestral lands.
As we honor this extraordinary woman, let us remember that the true legacy is not made of titles or medals, but of the courage to stand up for others. Joséphine Baker proved that justice and freedom have neither color nor border. Today, by presenting this distinction, we are doing more than simply saluting her past; we are renewing our promise to act in her footsteps. Madame Baker, your fight continues to enlighten ours. Be assured: we will tirelessly ensure that your memory is honored and that your ideal of justice and equality is realized.
H.R.H Prince Antoine V
of Araucania and Patagonia
__________________
Speech of H.R.H Prince Antoine V of Araucania and Patagonia before the tomb of Mrs Josephine Baker in the presence of her son Mr Luis Bouillon Baker on the 50th anniversary year of her passing
Monaco – Sun 23 Nov 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen. Dear Luis,
I speak today as Prince Antoine V of Araucanía and Patagonia, to honor the memory of Josephine Baker fifty years after her passing, her example remains.
Our Kingdom, heir to Antoine de Tounens, carries a history of resistance, a history of freedom, a history of justice.
Josephine Baker is not just a legend, she is a heroine, a courageous resistance fighter,a committed artist, the only female voice before Martin Luther King, during the March on Washington in 1963.
Her life was a struggle, a struggle for equality, a struggle for civil rights. She showed that justice has no colour, that freedom has no borders. Her torch continues to shine.
We honored this commitment by posthumously awarding Josephine the Order of the Steel Crown medal.
Dear Luis,
Your mother’s inspiration is our strength, her ideal illuminates the struggle of the Mapuche people, a struggle to reclaim their lands, a struggle for their rights.
Josephine Baker, your struggle still illuminates ours.
Today, we renew our promise, your memory will be honored, your ideal of justice will continue.
H.R.H Prince Antoine V
Of Araucania and Patagonia
