In Memoriam: Prince Rainier III (1923-2005)

His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III of Monaco died on April 6, 2005 at the age of 81. Prince Rainier's health during the last three years of his life had been declining.  On March 7, 2005, the prince was hospitalized with a lung infection.  Two weeks later, he was transferred to the intensive care unit, put on a ventialtor, and diagnosed with kidney and heart failure.  His condition continued to deteriorate.  On March 31, 2005, his son Prince Albert became Regent because his father was no longer able to perform his duties.  Prince Rainier was buried beside his wife Princess Grace on April 15, 2005 at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco.

Prince Rainier was the son of Her Serene Highness Princess Charlotte of Monaco and Count Pierre de Polignac.  Prince Rainier succeeded to the throne in 1949 upon the death of his paternal grandfather Prince Louis II.  His mother, Princess Charlotte renounced her succession rights.

Prince Rainier married American Academy Award winning actress Grace Kelly on April 18, 1956.  Princess Grace died from injuries sustained in a car accident on September 14, 1982.

Prince Rainier and Princess Grace had three children:

1) Princess Caroline Louise Marguerite, born in 1957
2) Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre, born in 1958 and who succeeded his father as Prince Albert II
3) Princess Stephanie Marie Elisabeth, born in 1965

Links:

YouTube Video: Funeral of Prince Rainier
BBC News | World | Europe | Monaco’s Prince Rainier, 81, dies
BBC News | World | Europe | Obituary: Prince Rainier III