Maison de Monaco is housed in the former Burberry building in Heymarket

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and his wife Princess Charlene welcomed the Monegasque Olympic Committee on Thursday at the venue for the opening of the games.

Sixteen Olympic torches will be on display, including those from as early as 1936 and as late as 2008. Each torch is displayed in a glass case with an image illustrating the final torch-bearer for each Olympic year.

Prince Albert is himself a former Olympic bobsleigher and competed for the Principality in the Olympic Winter Games in 1988, 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2002. His wife, Princess Charlene, competed with the South African swimming team in the 4x100-metre medley at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

The House of Monaco features a swirling metal sculpture twisting around the room and a short film. The building was once the house of a leading British fashion brand. It is located a short walk from Piccadilly Circus Underground station and is open to the public every day from 10am to 7pm.