Prince Rainier on the brink

2005-04-01 16:08

Monaco - Prince Rainier III's chances of recovery from heart, liver and kidney failure were very slim, the palace said on Friday.

Rainier remained in "precarious" health on Friday and "hopes for a favourable outcome remain extremely weak", said a statement signed by a medical team of five doctors.

However, "in full agreement" with the 81-year-old monarch's three children, doctors considered "active therapy" justified for the time being.

It was the first time Rainier's three children, Prince Albert - heir to the throne - and Princesses Caroline and Stephanie, have been mentioned in regular health updates.

The statement came a day after Albert, 47, took over as regent of this Mediterranean principality, in charge of all royal duties - but not assuming the throne.

It is the first time since 1949 that Rainier has not been in control of the Mediterranean realm famous as a playground for the rich and famous. Rainier is Europe's longest-serving living monarch.

Monaco's royal powers were conferred on Albert after a royal commission, which had been appointed by Rainier, decided the elder monarch could no longer rule.

Albert spent Friday caring for his father, who was in the intensive care unit of Monaco's Cardio-Thoracic Centre. His official programme was still being worked out by aides meeting to determine if he would make a public appearance or remain discreet.

Turn for the worse

The regency means Albert, who has been groomed from childhood to rule, takes over while Rainier is sick. His father, who retains the throne, could regain the royal powers if he recovers.

"For the moment, Prince Albert is preoccupied with the health of his father," the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity.

Albert's smiling face greeted Monaco on the front page of the Monaco-Matin newspaper, replacing the gloomy headlines that have tracked Rainier's deteriorating health since he entered intensive care 11 days ago.

"Monaco placed under the regency of Albert," the paper said, describing the event as both "painful and historic".

Rainier 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.

A health update issued on Wednesday said the prince remained in stable condition after kidney dialysis and other treatment.

The names on the palace's statement Friday indicated that another doctor, Claude Gibert, had joined the team from Paris' La Pitie Salpetriere Hospital. Another doctor from the hospital, Jean-Charles Piette, was called into the case earlier.

- AP