HSH Prince Albert’s Enthronement Anniversary

Prince Albert has much to celebrate – his accomplishments in the past 10 years since he has ascended to rule the Principality of Monaco are many, yet the media tends to focus more on his marriage to Charlene Wittstock  and the recent birth of his first son and daughter (twins) than on the rest of his legacy.

Prince Albert Family 2015

Baby Prince Albert with parents & Princess Caroline

Prince Albert on his father’s lap with Princess Grace & young Caroline

 Prince Albert had worked alongside his Father, H.S.H. Prince Rainier, in the management of Monaco’s State affairs, since 1984.

On the 31st of March 2005, in accordance with the Statutes of the Sovereign Family and after informing H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert – the Secretary of State convoked the Council of the Crown. The Council of the Crown determined that His Serene Highness Prince Rainier III was not able to carry out his functions of State and declared that H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert would act as Regent from that point on.

On the 6th of April 2005, H.S.H. Prince Albert II succeeded his father, Prince Rainier III who died that morning (at age 81) after a series of afflictions to his heart, lung and kidneys which had required his hospitalization since the 7th of March.

On 12th July 2005, at the end of the period of official mourning, the Prince’s accession to the throne was celebrated. 

Prince Albert 2005 - Monaco

This is how history captured July 12, 2005:

Son Takes Powers From Ailing Prince Rainier in Monaco

Groomed from birth to rule, Prince Albert took over Monaco’s royal powers on Thursday, assuming all but the throne in the tiny principality after a royal commission decided his critically ill father was too sick to perform his duties.

The announcement by the royal palace marked the first time since 1949 that Prince Rainier III — Europe’s longest-serving ruler — had not been in control of the Mediterranean realm, which is smaller than New York’s Central Park and famed as a playground for the rich and famous.

Monaco's Prince Rainier and his son Prince Albert wave in November 1999 file photo during Confederation Day ceremonies

Albert, 47, is the only son of Rainier and his late wife, Grace Kelly, the American movie actress who exchanged Hollywood stardom for the life of a princess.

Well-traveled, multilingual and Monaco’s top ambassador in recent years, the unmarried Albert is also regarded as a shy, even reluctant, heir. Sports are one of his loves: He is a five-time Olympic bobsledder and has headed Monaco’s Olympic committee since 1994.

Albert promised to devote himself “with strength, conviction and passion” to his new role as regent of Monaco, which the Grimaldi family has ruled for seven centuries. “The state of health of our father remains very fragile,” he said in a statement. “Today, faced with the difficulty for my father in exercising his high functions, I will assume all of the royal powers in his name.”

Rainier, 81, was hospitalized March 7 and has been in intensive care for 10 days with breathing, kidney and heart problems.

The Council of the Crown, a commission appointed by Rainier, met Thursday at the palace that overlooks Monaco’s yacht-filled harbor and decided after weighing his doctors’ diagnosis that the ailing prince could no longer rule.

The regency means Albert assumes royal powers while Rainier is sick, but his father could regain them if he recovers, said a palace spokesman, Armand Deus. Rainier, however, keeps the throne. “The sovereign prince is still Prince Rainier III,” Deus said.

Albert graduated from high school in 1976, then studied in the United States, at Amherst College in Massachusetts. He returned home in 1981 with a degree in political science.

He has not married and remains childless — causing sufficient concern that the constitution was revised in 2002 to ensure the continuation of the dynasty. His older sister, Princess Caroline, 48, would succeed him. She in turn, would be succeeded by her eldest son, Andrea Albert Pierre, 20.

Befriended by numerous celebrities, Albert has remained doggedly his own person and, despite his retiring nature, increasingly assumed the role as Monaco’s public face as his father grew frail.

Source: Washington Post

Prince Albert 2005

 

10 Years Later…the Prince of Heart

The weekend of July 11 and 12, 2015 hails Prince Albert’s 10th anniversary with a two-day celebration at the Palace specifically for Monaco’s citizens – festivities include concerts, as well as a huge traditional pastry/cake  (fougasse) for all to enjoy…

Monaco 2015 Huge Celebration Cake - fougasse

 

Princess Charlene shared publicly a few words in French to honor her Prince:

Monseigneur,

C’est avec une joie immense que nous célébrons ce jour les dix années de Votre règne.

Je vous félicite et prie pour que votre règne soit long, accompli et serein.

Plus que personne, je sais ton dévouement absolu pour la Principauté, son avenir et le bien-être de sa population.

Plus que personne, je mesure ton engagement pour les causes nobles que tu défends avec force.

Dans tes pas, nos enfants sont à bonne école. Le Prince Albert Premier fut EXPLORATEUR,
le Prince Rainier BATISSEUR,
Tu es le Prince du coeur, …et de mon coeur.

Viva U Principu

Viva Münegù”

 Translation:

(Monseigneur,

It is with immense joy that we celebrate this day the 10 years of your reign. I wish and pray that your reign is long, accomplished, and serene. More than anyone, I know your absolute dedication to the Principality, to its future and the wellbeing of its population. More than anyone, I measure your commitment for the noble causes which you defend with strength. In your footsteps, our children are well trained. Prince Albert the 1st was the Explorer, Prince Rainier the Builder, you are the Prince of Heart, … and of my heart. [in Monegasque] Long live the Prince, and Long live Monaco)

 

Congratulations HSH Prince Albert –  you have come a long way since ‘playing’ the role (here photographed at age 8 in at the guards station in front of the Palace).

8 Year old Prince Albert playing in front of Palace

Princess Charlene & Prince Albert 2015

 

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