MM Video: Grace and Rainier, The Wedding

Remembering Rainier III

April 6 was the day in 2005 that HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco departed this life. May 9th marked the anniversary of his inheriting the throne of Monaco from his grandfather Prince Louis II and May 31 was the anniversary of his birth in 1923 to Prince Pierre de Polignac and Princess Charlotte of Monaco. One of my favorite modern monarchs, Rainier III is a man most people know, but few seem to know much about. To remedy that, I thought it appropriate to highlight a couple of articles from my sub-blog Mad for Monaco.

Prince Rainier was a man of strong convictions and deep faith as related in Rainier III: A Man & Monarch of Integrity.

Prince Rainier was also the only modern monarch in western Europe to suspend the constitution and rule by decree in response to an economic and political effort to sideline him. Read about that in Onassis vs. Grimaldi.

The Real Rainier III

An absolute monarch in all but name (and actually in name for a time) whose reign was a resounding success for his country, HSH Prince Rainier III is nonetheless often misrepresented in the media and misunderstood in popular opinion. Read about the real Rainier III, a Man and Monarch of Integrity at Mad for Monaco.

Video: Princely Visit to Pope Pius XII

A little cross-over post from my 'other' blog Mad for Monaco -a visit of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco to Pope Pius XII who bestowed on the Prince the Papal Order of the Golden Spur. Enjoy the vid-the grand display of papal-monarchial ceremony would not be around for many more years.

Princely Profile: The Accession of Rainier III

It was on this day in 1949 that His Serene Highness Rainier III became Sovereign Prince of Monaco, succeeding his grandfather Louis II. It was an unfortunate coincidence that the death of Rainier III came so close to that of Pope John Paul II which naturally overshadowed all else. Were it a different time the media might have taken a little more time to reflect on the eventful life and reign of Rainier III. He often seems to be a somewhat forgotten man. Everyone knew who he was, yet few really knew much about him and he was outshined by his fascinating wife Princess Grace.

We know from the accounts of his children that Rainier III was a kind man who would make pancakes for his family for breakfast and also a man with a temper, his son Albert said they all knew when to give 'Papa' his space. He could play the suave, debonair Mediterranean prince and yet he did not desire the party and jet-set lifestyle but was devoted to the hard work of running the family 'business' of Monaco. His country, his family and his faith were all very important to him and he zealously defended the unique position and independence of his tiny principality. He was also an extremely brave man which many people are not aware of. He fought in the French artillery in World War II and earned the Cross of War and Bronze Star for his heroism under fire.

Rainier III was not an absentee head of state but a very hands-on monarch, he diversified the economy, brought the country back to lavishness from the poverty of two world wars and brought fame and attention to Monaco with his marriage to Princess Grace (and I don't think the effects of that were lost on him) and he re-negotiated the laws of succession with France when he began to fear that Albert would never marry so that the throne could one day pass to his grandson Andrea Casiraghi. The independence of Monaco and maintaining the Monegasque monarchy were paramount to him. He was a very savy and world-wise CEO, a loving father (stern at times and often driven to distraction it must be said) and also a very affectionate grandfather when that time came. Rainier III seemed to be the right man, in the right place at the right time for Monaco and I have often wondered if HSH Albert II ever looks skyward and wonders what his father would do. He did his best and he left his country stronger and more prosperous than he had found it and he found it 60 years ago today.