Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

Prince Rainier III (Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi; May 31, 1923–April 6, 2005), styled HSH The Sovereign Prince of Monaco, ruled the Principality of Monaco for almost fifty-six years.

Illness and death

In the last three years of his life, Prince Rainier's health progressively declined. In early 2004, he was hospitalized for coronary problems. In October he was again in hospital with a lung infection. In November of that year, Prince Albert appeared on CNN's Larry King Live and told Larry King that his father was fine, though he was suffering from bronchitis. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0411/18/lkl.01.html On March 7, 2005, he was again hospitalized with a lung infection. Rainier was moved to the hospital's intensive care unit on March 22. One day later, on March 23, it was announced he was on a respirator, suffering from renal and heart failure. On March 26, the palace reported that despite intensive ongoing efforts to improve the prince's health, he was continuing to deteriorate; however, the following day, he was reported to be conscious, his heart and kidney conditions having stabilized. His prognosis remained "very reserved". http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4895421,00.html

Related Topics:
2004 - Prince Albert - CNN - Larry King Live - Larry King - March 7 - 2005 - March 22 - March 23 - Respirator - Renal - Heart failure - March 26

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On March 31, 2005, the Palais Princier announced that Rainier's son, Hereditary Prince Albert, Marquis des Baux, would take over the duties of his father as Regent since Rainier was no longer able to exercise his royal functions. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7347372/

Related Topics:
March 31 - 2005 - Palais Princier - Prince Albert - Marquis des Baux - Regent

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On April 1, 2005, the Palace announced that Rainier's chances of recovery were "slim"; on April 6 it announced that Prince Rainier had died at 6:35 am local time at the age of 81. He was succeeded by his only son, who became Prince Albert II.

Related Topics:
April 1 - 2005 - Prince Albert II

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He was buried on April 15, 2005, beside his wife, Princess Grace, at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Monaco. Built in the 19th century and also known as Monaco Cathedral, the neo-Romanesque structure is the resting place of 17 previous sovereign princes of Monaco and several of their wives; it also is where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married in 1956.

Related Topics:
April 15 - 2005 - Princess Grace - Cathedral of Saint Nicholas - Monaco - 19th century - Monaco Cathedral - Neo-Romanesque

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