The Prince of Monaco is not your average guy.

A billionaire head of state who was born into royalty on his father’s side, his mother is none other than Hollywood legend Grace Kelly.

He’s a dedicated environmentalist, an influential political figure and in his spare time watches his beloved football team AS Monaco FC - which he part owns.

But he does have one thing in common with your average Geordie - he’s watched Newcastle United get beat.

“I came over here in 1997 to watch Monaco, I remember it well, we won 1-0”, he recalled on a visit to Newcastle University.

“We had a great time, we spent almost two days here.

Prince Albert II of Monaco (L) and Princess Charlene of Monaco
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco

“A friend of mine, Joe Robertson, owned restaurants and pubs all over Newcastle and took us around the city.

“I wish your boys a good season, I don’t follow all of the results but I gather things aren’t going too well.”

His Serene Highness was in the North East to deliver the keynote speech to the Challenger Society for Marine Science’s biennial conference.

He was there to collect his honorary life membership of the organisation, which he was originally awarded in 2010, a century after his great, great grandfather had the same honour bestowed upon him.

Joking to the hall about being eight years late to collect it, he said “I’m sorry it took so long but better late than never”.

He set up a foundation in 2006 which funds environmental projects.

And he is one of the most vocal head of states in the world when it comes to climate change - and the only one who’s visited both poles.

Recounting how his illustrious family influenced his decision to commit himself to environmentalism, he said: “My parents were great lovers of nature.

“I can remember my mother loved the sea and would take us on these great walks through the hills of Monaco.

“She would collect flowers and did these great pressed flower painting throughout her life.

“My father spearheaded environmental initiatives aimed at reversing pollution and protecting wildlife.

“My great, great grandfather was a great believer in the sciences and the arts, the two great driving forces of our world, and a supporter of human endeavor in general.

“I felt an obligation to carry this tradition on and decided to make a more personal effort 12 years ago by setting up a foundation in my name.”

Prince Albert II used his speech to call on world leaders to tackle climate change, calling on leaders to “join forces and take action”.

Speaking after the event, he said: “Environmental issues sometimes seem secondary to people, including statesmen and world leaders.

“Politicians look at the most pressing issues, and rightfully so, but they must force themselves to take action, even if they know they are not going to be in office for an infinite period of time.

“I don’t have to get re-elected ever year so I’m able to think about long term solutions but I wish that other leaders around world were putting things in place too.”

Throughout its history, the North East has been dependent on its proximity to the sea and towns still depend on the business and tourism it attracts.

In that respect, Marsden and Monaco have more in common than you might think.

That relationship with the sea, His Serene Highness said, must be used to drive marine conservation: “We are shaped by our natural surroundings and growing up on the shores of the Mediterranean has definitely had an impact on me. I’m sure that must be the same growing up on the coast in the North East.

“What is common to all coastal communities is that they are facing the sea and understand it and the problems that face it.”