Prince Rainier dies
2005-04-06 08:38
Monaco - Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Europe's longest-serving monarch who brought glamour to his Mediterranean principality with his marriage to American Hollywood star Grace Kelly, has died, Monaco's royal palace announced on Wednesday. He was 81.
Monaco's royal powers were conferred on Albert after a royal commission last week.
The royal palace announced Rainier's death nearly a full month after he was first admitted with a lung infection to a heart and chest clinic that overlooks Monaco's glittering, yacht-filled harbour.
Rainier died at 06:35. Prince Albert, his son and heir, was at his side. Rainier's doctors called Albert a little before 06:00 to tell him that the end was near, the palace said.
Rainier's romance with Grace Kelly captivated the world. They met in 1955 when she was the 25-year-old star attraction of the Cannes Film Festival. Their marriage in 1956 put Monaco on the world stage. He never remarried after her death in a car accident in 1982.
Prince Rainier's health had deteriorated since he was hospitalised March 7 and was moved to intensive care on March 22, when his health took a sudden turn for the worse. He was being treated for breathing, kidney and heart trouble.
He went into the hospital because of a chest infection and appeared to be back on the road to good health when his condition took a turn for the worse. He was transferred to intensive care after suffering heart and lung failure.
- AP