Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rainier III
The Prince in 1961
Prince of Monaco
Reign9 May 1949 – 6 April 2005
PredecessorLouis II
SuccessorAlbert II
RegentAlbert (2005)
BornPrince Rainier of Monaco
(1923-05-31)31 May 1923
Prince's Palace of Monaco
Died6 April 2005(2005-04-06) (aged 81)
Cardiothoracic Centre of Monaco
Burial15 April 2005
Spouse
Grace Kelly
(m. 1956; died 1982)
Issue
Full name
Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand
HouseGrimaldi (official)
Polignac (agnatic)
FatherCount Pierre of Polignac
MotherPrincess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois
ReligionRoman Catholic

Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi (31 May 1923 – 6 April 2005), also known as Rainier III, ruled the Principality of Monaco for almost 56 years.[1] He was one of the longest ruling monarchs in European history. His family has ruled Monaco for seven centuries.[1] Prince Rainier was internationally known due to his marriage to the American actress Grace Kelly.[1] He was responsible for reforms to the Constitution of Monaco. He expanded the principality's economy beyond its traditional casino gambling base. Gambling accounts for about three percent of the nation's annual revenue today. When Rainier became prince in 1949, it had accounted for more than ninety-five percent.[2]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Monaco's Prince Rainier III Dies". ABC News. 6 April 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  2. "Prince Rainier III of Monaco". The Daily Telegraph. London. 7 April 2005.