The South of France.. A Sunny Place for Shady People
Some call it the Riviera, to others it’s the Cote d’Azur. It has many names, rather like some of its notorious residents. In this land of silk and money the richest people on earth come out to play. Anytime you have such a concentration of wealth it’s inevitable you’ll also find a confluence of adversaries. These range from pickpockets to paparazzi, from stalkers to highly organized criminal gangs. Over the years Priavo has successfully completed numerous event security assignments along this famous coast from Marseilles to Monaco.
Last summer we were commissioned to provide event security for a showbiz wedding to take place at a secret location; a magnificent Chateau estate hidden in the hills overlooking the sea. The guest list included the creme-de-la-creme of Hollywood royalty. A complete Media Block was in operation and our main mission for this event.
One of our major challenges was the simple fact the wedding celebrations were to span a four-day period, held at several different locations. All venues had to be reconnoitered and secured days prior to the actual wedding. Every contractor and supplier was vetted and perimeters established.
A special welcoming dinner was planned for all the guests two days before the big event. The dinner was held on a small private island half a mile off the coast. To safely escort and ferry all the guests to and from the island, in an armada of motor launches, required considerable nautical experience and expertise. Fortunately many of our operatives are ex-Royal Marines and former members of the SBS (Special Boat Service). The evening was a huge success; it was crucial to maintain an atmosphere where guests could let their hair down without any worries, unwelcomed guests or prying eyes.
On the Big Day as we had anticipated paparazzi started to gather, some even bribing harbor officials for information on the principal and guests at the waterfront location. We had put in counter measures to protect against all eventualities some weeks before and the entire area was given a full surveillance sweep in the run up to the big event. The venue was ‘locked down’ with all areas discretely covered from view. A 24/7 watch was implemented and manned throughout the task although we kept our presence discreet, adapting to various situations that arose. To govern guest movement an administration area was set up at the entrance, all invitees signed non-disclosures and mobiles were collected. Situational awareness was key and our team remained vigilant. The service went without a hitch (pardon the pun) and celebrations went on long into the early hours of the morning. At the end of the party, we ensured the safe return of guests back to their accommodation. Exclusive media rights of the wedding were protected; no photos were taken or leaked to the press. Not a security breach in sight.
Our success on this particular assignment was a marriage of meticulous planning, skillful execution and discretion, ensuring the guest experience was not impeded by event security presence or media intrusion. This is a testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in every new challenge.