Prince Rainier III

Prince Rainier III

Prince Rainier Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 6, 2005.
MONACO (AP) - Prince Rainier III, whose marriage to American film star Grace Kelly brought elegance and glamour to one of Europe's oldest dynasties, died Wednesday at the hospital treating him for heart, kidney and breathing problems. He was 81.

Monaco's royal palace announced Rainier's death nearly a month after he was fir st admitted with a lung infection to a heart and chest clinic that overlooks Monaco's glittering, yacht-filled harbor.

He had been Europe's longest-reigning monarch.

"Each of us feels like an orphan because the principality has been marked by his imprint over the 56 years" he ruled, said Patrick Leclercq, Monaco's head of government.

Prince Albert, 47, Rainier's heir, was at his side when he died at 6:35 a.m. Rainier's doctors had called Albert around 6 a.m. to tell him the end was near, the palace said. Rainier died from the heart, kidney and lung problems that caused his hospitalization, the palace said.

Rainier's 1956 marriage to Kelly - a year after he met the then-25-year-old at the Cannes Film Festival - captivated the world. Princess Grace died in a car accident in 1982.

Albert, their only son, becomes Monaco's de facto ruler until a formal investiture ceremony expected after a mourning period. He took over the royal powers - but not th e throne - from his father last week after a royal commission decided Rainier was too sick to rule.

The unmarried Albert inherits a French-speaking principality no larger than New York's Central Park but world-renowned for its casino and the annual Monte Carlo Grand Prix. It's nestled on the Mediterranean Coast between Italy and the French Riviera.

He is unmarried and has no children. Monaco changed its succession law in 2002 to allow power to pass from a reigning prince who has no descendants to his siblings. Albert has two sisters, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie, both of whom have children.

Rainier, who assumed the throne on May 9, 1949, had to endure the tragedy of his famous wife's death and relentless scandals - including international criticism of the principality's tax laws - that plagued the final two decades of his rule.

The leader of Europe's longest-ruling royal family, the Grimaldis, Rainier suffered recurring health problems in recent years. The silver-haired, portly prince underwent heart surgery in 1999 and had two operations the following year.

Recurrent chest infections put him in the hospital on numerous occasions. Most recently, he was hospitalized March 7. He was placed in intensive care two weeks later with heart and kidney failure and connected to a respirator.

Tributes flooded in from around Europe. French President Jacques Chirac hailed the prince's "courage and tenacity" in the face of his failing health. German President Horst Koehler said he "fulfilled his duties as head of state with remarkable willpower until the end."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sent a message of condolence to the family. Rainier's death means the queen, who acceded to the throne in 1952, becomes the longest-serving monarch in Europe.

Under Rainier's leadership, the Mediterranean enclave partially shed its image as "a sunny place for shady people" and became a hub for the high-tech ph armaceutical and cosmetics industries. Rainier was known as the "builder prince" for his many infrastructure projects, and he increased the size of his territory by 20 percent with land reclamation.

"I am like the head of a company," he once said of his role in transforming Monaco.

In 1993, Monaco gained the political recognition Rainier sought for his principality with its entry into the United Nations.

But it was his April 18, 1956, marriage to Hollywood heartbreaker Grace Kelly that put Monaco on the world stage and defined the golden age of his reign. For many, her death in a car accident on Sept. 14, 1982, signaled the end of Monaco's halcyon days.

"She was always present and ready to do things either with me or for me if I couldn't do them," Rainier said of his late wife in a 1983 interview. "Let's say the change is that we worked as a team and the team has been split up."

Rainier Grimaldi was the 30th descendant of Otto Canella, w ho founded the house of Grimaldi that has ruled Monaco since 1297. Born May 31, 1923, the son of a princess born out of wedlock, Rainier was heir to a family with a stormy past - a harbinger of the scandals to come.

The marriage of his great-grandfather Prince Albert to Lady Mary Douglas Hamilton was dissolved in 1880. Albert's son, Prince Louis II, had a youthful romance with a French girl in Algeria that produced Princess Charlotte, Rainier's mother.

In 1920, Charlotte married Rainier's father, Prince Pierre de Polignac. Rainier was born in 1923 and his parents divorced soon after.

Educated in England, Switzerland and France, Rainier undertook military service near the end of World War II. He became Monaco's ruler at age 26 when his grandfather died in 1949.

As a youth, Rainier had a long romance with French actress Gisele Pascal, became a keen fan of jazz and studied oceanography, later helping to finance Jacques Cousteau's Oceanographic Institute in Monaco. He also developed a love of fast cars.

He met Kelly in 1955 when he was 31 and she was the 25-year-old star attraction of the Cannes Film Festival. Kelly already had an Oscar from the 1954 film "The Country Girl," one of only 11 movies she made.

In January 1956, they announced their engagement and were married in April. Ten months later they had the first of their three children, Caroline. Albert's birth came the following year, on March 14. Stephanie was born Feb. 1, 1965.

Over the years, Rainier worked to consolidate his authority and expand Monaco's economic base as a tax haven for international millionaires who gambled at the territory's swanky casino.

New luxury hotels, towering high-rises and some of the world's most expensive real estate now hug Monaco's coastline. Gambling receipts account for only 3 percent of the revenues of the principality, home to slightly more than 32,000 people.

Rainier also won battles with France to keep his principality's ban on personal income tax and with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis for control of the company that operates Monaco's gambling operations and most of its luxury hotels.

In the years following Princess Grace's death, Monaco's royal family increasingly became grist for the world's tabloids.

Princess Caroline's rocky first marriage ended in 1980, and her second husband was killed in a boating accident in 1990. Her third husband, German prince Ernst August of Hanover, was ordered to pay more than $440,000 in 2001 for yelling at an editor of a newspaper that reported he had urinated in public.

Princess Stephanie was known for her tempestuous affairs. She had two children by a former bodyguard, then married him in 1995. The marriage lasted 18 months, ending after he was photographed cavorting poolside with a Belgian stripper.

She had a third child in 1998 and refused to reveal the name of the father. She later had a much-pub licized romance with the director of the Swiss national circus.

The reputation of Monaco itself has also fallen under scrutiny.

In April 2002, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development listed Monaco as one of seven tax havens refusing to cooperate with a major international effort to end harmful tax practices and tax evasion.

Even Rainier's fairy-tale marriage to Kelly was a target.

A 1994 biography of Princess Grace claimed that the marriage had gone sour and that Rainier's "neglect" forced her to find solace in alcohol and younger men.


Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press

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March 28, 2024

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charles sadler posted to the memorial.

January 19, 2024

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121 Entries

March 28, 2024

May the invincible soul of Her Serene Highness Princess Grace watch over the descendents of His Majesty King Charles III.

charles sadler

January 20, 2024

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

charles sadler

January 19, 2024

Our trip to Monaco in 1999 was a beautiful trip next to the Grimaldi Palace. Rest in peace. charles candler sadler.

April 19, 2020

God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's..My heartfelt condolences to the family's...No more pain nor sickness or death

Harry Simpson

April 7, 2019

Godspeed....

Joel Hurley

August 26, 2017

A man who admired you and your wife.

John A. Cooney

September 4, 2016

GOD BLESS YOU AND FAMILY... REST IN PEACE...

K.C Sommers

July 9, 2016

My love for you
remains endless and eternal
I will stay transfixed on your beauty
of all we shared
and NEVER let go of you
I walk for a little while
absent of your light
but I will one day rise as the noonday sun
when once again I see your face
in a place
where we will NO LONGER SAY GOOD-Bye

Nazarene Mckinney

March 23, 2013

God is for us a refuge and strength. A help that is readily found during times of distress.

Lori Farrar

August 18, 2010

Be Still

Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.

Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.

If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.

Matthew McGuire

November 1, 2009

Deepest condolences.

Juliet Uoka

October 11, 2007

How truly sad to hear of the Prince's passing. I continue reading books and articles on Princess Grace whom I adore and realize that Prince Rainier is a great part of her life. May they rest in peace.

S

September 27, 2007

Rest in Peace Prince Rainier.


You were a very handsome, classy man. You will forever be missed.

God rest your soul!!!!

Alisa Taylor

August 6, 2007

This is very late in coming, however, i have followed your family through quite a few years and am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I just finished reading a novel about your mother. What a wonderful lady. I know you'll problably never read this but if you do Stephanie, I think you're the GREATEST!!!!!!!

Miss. Kristin Ryser

July 11, 2007

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.

Pascal Delaney

February 12, 2007

Rest in peace

Peace Grimaldi

December 16, 2006

May your positive influence live forever.
From your distant cousin.
Peace

richard baumstarck

March 11, 2006

may your friends and family be with you always



always will remember



richard

Andrea Rodney

November 6, 2005

My god bless you and your family

Lana Deschaine

July 6, 2005

I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III. My sincere sympathy to his family and the people of Monaco. May you find peace and comfort knowing he is with his beloved Grace and our Holy Father. God Bless you all.

Barbara

April 19, 2005

Dear Prince Albert, Princess' Caroline and Stephanie- I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Your parents are reunited. May God bless all of you.

Lynn Buckner

April 17, 2005

Condolences on the death of your Father.May God give you strenght during this sad time.

Phyllys Steeves

April 16, 2005

My sincere sympathies on the great loss to your family.

Mary Jane Boyle

April 15, 2005

My deepest sympathy and condolences to you and your family on the death of your Beloved father, Rainier. May the perpetual light shine upon him and may his soul rest in peace

Anthony Wiggins

April 12, 2005

To the Sovereign Family & people of Monaco, as an avid royalist, Ii offer my most heartfelt sympathies to you all in your loss of the greatest and most charming of the world's senior royals. It is my earnest prayer that the Lord will raise you all up collectively and allow you both the grace and strength to go through this very difficult time. You all are forever in my prayers.

Claudia Heide

April 12, 2005

With great sorrow I learned about the loss of this remarkable leader of Monaco. I extend my deepest sympathy with his children , family and citizens. May God be with you.

That you may find peace and trust in the Lord. I pray that he will make your faith strong in these sad days.

monica leon

April 12, 2005

my deepest sympathies to the family. May the Lord give you the strength to carry on. Prince Albert, Princess Caroline, Princess Stephanie you are all in my prayers

chris coloso

April 12, 2005

my deepest sympathy and condolences to you and your family and the entire Grimaldi's. May the perpetual light shine upon him and may the soul of Prince Rainier rest in peace.

KAREN BOUNDS

April 11, 2005

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS IN THIS TIME OF LOSS AND AS MONACO MOURNS THE GREAT PRINCE,HE IS WITH HIS PRINCESS AND CAN REST IN PEACE.

marvin nelson

April 11, 2005

Your Serene Highnesses,

Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your father. He was an exceptional man and a strong leader of your country. He will be missed the world over. May God be with you.

Mary Monaco

April 11, 2005

My family and I want to express our condolences to the Grimaldi family. what a beautiful and gracious family. Please keep your faith strong. We are honored to know that the legacy will live on with the remaining Grimaldi family. Your mother and father are happy together again. And they are watching over you and their grandchildren. May God Bless

Gail Blaize

April 11, 2005

What a sad day for the principality of Monaco! I pray that Stephanie, Caroline, and Albert will find comfort in the days to come.



May You Rest in Peace Sweet Prince!

Rosemarie Sladish

April 11, 2005

May the family of Prince Ranier find peace and trust in the Lord. You have had many tragedies, but your faith has made you very strong. Stay together as a family, because you have to know that your mom and dad are happy together and will without a doubt protect all of you and your children. God Bless

diane bannister

April 11, 2005

God Bless you

Helena Van Lew

April 11, 2005

May God welcome you with open arms

and keep you in His Glory.

Lorraine Arcella

April 11, 2005

May you have eternal peace and rest. You certainly set a high standard for all with your love for family and country. God Bless you.

NORMA KIRK

April 11, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILIY AS YOU W\HAVE BLESSED ALL WHO FOLLOWED YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE GENUINE.

NORMA KIRK

April 11, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILIY AS YOU HAVE BLESSED ALL WHO FOLLOWED YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE GENUINE.

Patricia Gartmann

April 10, 2005

Goodnite sweet prince, may you rest in peace.

Carol Barnes

April 9, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time.

Virginia Ludders

April 9, 2005

May the peace of God be with the family of Prince Ranier and bring them comfort in the days to come.

Dennisse Collazo

April 9, 2005

Dios bendiga vuestra familia y les dé mucha serenidad y sabiduría

Kathy Dullea

April 9, 2005

God Bless the family of Prince Rainier III. May angels take you to heaven on their wings. My prayers are with the family. God Bless everyone.

Patricia

April 9, 2005

May God always keep you in the palm of His hands. My deepest sympathy to the Prince's children.

Melody Davis-Wilson

April 9, 2005

May God give your family comfort & strength during your time of mourning.

samantha Griffith

April 9, 2005

The Grimaldi Family,
My deepest sympathy on your loss. At least he will be with his love Princess Grace once again. Rest In Peace.

Kay Brumbaugh

April 9, 2005

I remember watching the wedding of the Prince and Princess on television and have been following the events of their lives ever since. My thoughts and prayers are with the Prince's children and grandchildren. May He Rest In Peace.

Arthur & Eleanor Ware

April 8, 2005

To the royal family of Prince Rainier: Don't be sad for he has reunited with his love Princess Grace. He is also out of pain and able to do all the things he was capable of performing before he body started to deteriorate.



May God be with each and everyone of you.

Elaine H. Millsap

April 8, 2005

My deepest sympathy to the royal family on the the loss of your Father, he will truely be missed by all . Love and prayers

John H. Viereg

April 8, 2005

I have visited Monaco on multiple occassions, primarily for the Formula One race,but I have always enjoyed my stay. I looked forward to my next visit. There is no other place in the world with such charm and hospitality and the world owes it all to you and your guiding hand.

The world is a lonlier and lesser place because of you passing.

My sincere condolances to your family



John H. Viereg

Toni Tomich

April 8, 2005

To The Royal Family of Monaco:



I am a year younger than Prince Albert, and was always intrigued by the Royal Family of Monaco. Eventhough we are thousands of miles apart, and probably will never meet... I still had to send my thoughts and prayers in the loss of your father. May he rest in peace. Celebrating what he had accomplished, and knowing that his legacy will continue. May God watch over your family at this time of mourning. Giving you the support to deal with each day, and knowing that your parents legacy will live on through Prince Albert, Princess' Caroline and Stephanie.

Janet

April 8, 2005

My deepest sympathies to the royal family. The loss of a parent is so very difficult whether he is in a very public spotlight or leads a very private life, he was your parent. He will be remembered by all of us around the world. Again, my condolences.

Sharen Whisenhunt

April 8, 2005

When I was a little girl, I can remember when a beautiful Hollywood movie star met a handsome Prince. How they looked at one another with so much love in their hearts. They are now joined together as they were in their storybook romance. The Prince and the Princess.

CAMI

April 8, 2005

May you rest in peace Prince Rainier. Our sympathy to the Prince's family.

Diana Schneeman

April 8, 2005

There were few people in this world who many, many admired, loved and followed the fairytale lives of Prince Rainier & Princess Grace. Prince Rainier is with his Princes again, may they rest in peace. Prince Albert, Princess Caroline & Princess Stephanie, we would be honored if you carried on their fantastic legacy. Bless you.

Shirley Plue

April 8, 2005

Dear Royal Family: Your father and mother were special people. They are at peace together, a tribute to their special life on earth. God Bless you all.

Patrick Burrel -Williams

April 8, 2005

Mon condole'ances tu Prince Rainier III's famillie.

May his soul rest in peace.

RALPH AND SUSIE GARCIA

April 8, 2005

WE ARE PRAYING FOR ALL OF YOU. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU ALWAYS.

Angela Christopherson

April 8, 2005

May God hold you close, and may he heal your family's pain by providing them with happy memories.

Betty Davis

April 8, 2005

My sincere condolences to the Royal Family. May God bless you and heal your sorrow.

Linda

April 8, 2005

My sincere condolences to the Royal Family. May God bless you and heal your sorrow.

Dennis and Donna Hicks

April 8, 2005

We are praying for you and your family in the loss of your love one. God Bless You

Renee Maxwell-DeLee

April 8, 2005

To God Be The Glory. The family has my deepest condolensce.

Vana Acker

April 8, 2005

Rest in peace.

Sheron Keeling

April 8, 2005

To The Family:



May God bless you and keep you. He's

home now, at rest. There is no other God who can save me, There is no other God who forgave me, There is no other God who loves me like you do, There is no other God like You.

Helena & Neil Perlmutter

April 7, 2005

To the Royal Family,

Prince Ranier III is at peace now with his beautiful and loving wife Princess Grace. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family.

ERIC GORHAM

April 7, 2005

I KNOW YOU ARE ENJOYING BEING REUINITED WITH YOUR BLESSED GRACE. REST IN PEACE...YOU DESERVE IT

Crystal (Mikesell) Tucker

April 7, 2005

Now he can finally spend eternity with his love, Grace Kelly. Rest in peace Prince Ranier.

Timothy&Javonda Newson

April 7, 2005

RIP Prince Rainier III.

Elaine Webb

April 7, 2005

To the Royal Family

This is a very trying time for all of you, but put your trust in our Heavenly Father and he will help you. Just know that your Dad and Mother are together once again in a more Heavenly Kingdom.

Donna Day (Bartha)

April 7, 2005

My deepest sympathies in the loss of your father. I originally was from Philadelphia, like your Mother. Know that they are finishing a dance they started a long time ago. As it should be.

Elvira White

April 7, 2005

To the Royal Family ...MY deepest Sympathy in the passing of

Prince Rainier .

He will always live on in our hearts .MY thoughts and prayers are with you ...God Bless Elvira

Jeri Boateng

April 7, 2005

To the Royal Family: Sorry to hear of Prince Rainier III death. May God comfort you and keep your family in His loving care.

Susie Janow

April 7, 2005

Rip Prince Rainier

Marie B

April 7, 2005

To The Royal Family,



Tenderly.......may time heal your sorrow,

Gently.........may friends ease your pain,

Softly.........may peace replace heatache, and may only your warmest memories remain.



This I wish for you all.

nora schaeffer

April 7, 2005

The final chapter of the fairy tale Prince and Princess. God Bless your family and the community of Monaco.

Caroline Edillor

April 7, 2005

The Grimaldi Family

My heartfelt sympathy to everyone. Prince Rainier is an inspiration to all. May you be comforted by the good memories you shared with your loving father. God Bless and Peace...

EDNA RODRIGUEZ

April 7, 2005

TO PRINCE ALBERT, PRINCESS CAROLINE AND PRINCESS STEPHANIE..I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS..MAY GOD GIVE YOU STRENGTH IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES...YOUR DAD (THE PRINCE) IS 2GETHER WITH YOUR MOM (THE PRINCESS)...YOU ALL WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS...GOD BLESS YOU ALL........

Virginia Reynolds

April 7, 2005

You and Grace together again. Rest comfortably together for eternity.

Kathleen Griffin

April 7, 2005

"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest".

I have fond memories of my visits to Monaco in 2004 & '05, so to the people of Monaco and the family of Prince Rainier III, I would like to offer my condolences on your bereavement.

Jacquelyn Holmes

April 7, 2005

My condolences to the Royal Family of Prince Rainier III. Your memories will carry you on. May he rest in peace.

Gail Feind

April 7, 2005

To the Royal Family,

My heartfelt prayers and blessings that the memories you have of your father and mother will bring you comfort. God bless,

Tim, Ditas & Gio

April 7, 2005

Our condolences to the Royal Family of Monaco. We pray that Prince Rainier rest in peace.

K Moore

April 7, 2005

To the Royal Family of Prince Rainier III sorry for your lose. May God Bless your family and your days become brighter.

Judy Denson-Keller

April 6, 2005

My heart and condolences go out to the Grimaldi family. My prayers are with all of you. May God bless you all.

milly lane

April 6, 2005

God's speed dear Prince Rainier

home to your beloved Grace



milly*

Linda Taylor

April 6, 2005

Prince Rainier was the Prince all women dream of,knowing he is with his Beautiful Grace.God Bless Prince Albert,Princess Caroline,and Princess Stephanie.America Pray's Blessing's to you all,in this time of Loss.

Much Love Through Christ, Mrs.Linda Taylor

Margie Wright

April 6, 2005

My prayers to Prince Rainier III's immediate and extended family. He's now together with his wife Grace, and they are both watching over their children and their families. God Bless Everyone!!

A Garcia

April 6, 2005

Rest in peace,Prince Rainier. Say hello to Grace for us.

carolyn c barr

April 6, 2005

may you rest in peace, now your with princess grace.

Albert Lamo

April 6, 2005

The Grimaldi Family,

My Deepest and Heartfelt Sympathies to Albert, Caroline and Stephanie and the remaining Grimaldi family on the passing your Father, Grandfather and Brother.

He is once again in the arms of his Beloved Grace, and most recently that of Pope John Paul II. May they enjoy the presence of GOD and the bliss of Heaven forever and ever. Rest in Peace and May the Pepetual Light Shine Upon them. Amen

Margaret Miller

April 6, 2005

My sympathy to the Grimaldi Family.

Albert, Stephanie, Caroline and children, I am very sorry to hear of you loosing your father.

Margaret Miller

Nicoletta Bruno

April 6, 2005

To the family of Prince Rainier III

Your lose is large your memories are beautiful your family

truly had Grace .God be with you at this time .

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