March 2005: HSH Prince Albert of Monaco

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HSH PRINCE ALBERT OF MONACO

The following quote was taken from www.bbc.co.uk

On this day in 1958: 'Bonny' Prince Albert of Monaco born

“A celebratory 101-gun salute has been fired in Monaco after Princess Grace - formerly film star Grace Kelly - gave birth to a son.

In spite of elaborate arrangements made for announcing the birth, the world learnt about the baby's arrival when a woman at a palace window shouted to waiting journalists: "It's a boy, it's a boy".

The 8lb 11oz baby who was born at just before 1100 local time is to be named Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre. He will be known as Prince Albert.

The baby takes automatic precedence over his one-year-old sister, Princess Caroline.

The young princess appeared on a palace balcony in the arms of her father, Prince Rainier III, shortly after her brother was born. Prince Rainier later broadcast an address to the nation announcing the Crown Prince's birth.

Speaking to journalists, the princess' mother, Margaret Kelly said both her daughter and the baby were doing well.

‘It is a bonny, bonny prince,’ Mrs Kelly said.”

Prince Albert was born March 14, 1958 to HSH Princess Grace (1929-1982) and HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The day following Albert’s birth was declared a public holiday; flags and flowers were everywhere. At the time, Albert’s birth ensured that Monaco remained independent of France for another generation. Under a treaty signed by both countries in 1918, if Monaco had no heir, it would become subject to French laws. A new accord was ratified in 2002 which affirms Monaco’s status as an independent country, clarifies the right of succession, and confirms Monaco's right to establish its own diplomatic relations with other countries.

From all accounts, Albert had a happy childhood much as any other child. He attended school at the Lycee Albert I of Monaco where he received his baccalaureate diploma with distinction in 1976. Then, from 1977 to 1981, he studied at Amherst College in Massachusetts and graduated on May 30, 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Following the time spent at Amherst, Prince Albert served in the French Navy as second grade sub-lieutenant, on board the helicopter-carrier 'Jeanne d'Arc'.

Throughout his life, he participated in many sports, including soccer, handball, judo, swimming, tennis, sailing, skiing, squash, fencing and rowing. Prince Albert participated in several Winter Olympic Games as a member on the Monaco bobsled team.

Prince Albert has been preparing for the most import role of his life - that of future leader of Monaco. He attends cabinet meetings with Prince Rainier and heads Monaco’s delegation to the United Nations. Prince Albert also serves on several national and international committees, organizations and federations mostly related to athletic and humanitarian concerns. Prince Albert is also Vice-President of the Princess Grace-USA Foundation in honor of his mother who passed on September 14, 1982. He attends social and official occasions such as the yearly Red Cross Ball. As health problems continue to sideline Prince Rainier, Prince Albert finds himself more in the spotlight.

Prince Albert has two siblings, an older sister, Princess Caroline and a younger sister, Princess Stephanie.

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.monaco.mc/monaco/700ans/grimaldi.html
Encyclopedia Britannica

1. Map
2. Flag
3. Coat of arms
Encyclopedia Britannica

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Thanks to LadyMacAlpine for the following photo:

Palais de Monaco / BtooB / eyevine/CONTRAST - EYE -- The Archives of Monaco: the album of the Grimaldi dynasty - Signature of the birth certificate of HSH the heir Prince Albert Two days after the birth of the heir prince, on Sunday 16 March 1958, the birth certificate of HSH Prince Albert, Alexandre, Louis, Pierre is signed. This ceremony is held under the supervision of Mister Marcel Portanier, President of the State council, Director of the Judicial Services, State officer of the Sovereign Family. The two witness designated by the Prince are: Misses Louise Brame-Gastaldi and His Eminence.


1. March 19, 1958: Princess Grace holding her five day old son Prince Albert.
2. 3. April 21, 1958: Official Presentation of Prince Albert.
4. Magazine showing Princess Grace with Prince Albert.
5. Stamp commemorating the birth of Prince Albert.
6. February 26, 1960: The family on holiday at Schonried Switzerland.
7. April 1, 1960: Prince Albert's first official public appearance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Oceanographic Museum that was founded by his grandfather Prince Albert I. (Albert is now 2 years old.)
8. August 28, 1968: Rainier, Grace, Albert, Caroline in Naples Italy on their way to the Olympics where Grace's brother was competing.
9. November 19, 1960: Monaco National Holiday. Albert, Grace, Rainier, Caroline.
10. During 1960: Grace with Albert and Caroline.
APL Pictures.

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1. March 23, 1961: Grace reading to her children, Albert (3) and Caroline (4).
2. April 28, 1961: Grace and Albert in a NY hotel.
3. January 1962: Family.
4. April 18, 1962: On holiday in Philadelphia with Grace's family. Albert is now 4 years old.
5. August 1, 1962: Family.
6. 1963: The family on a winter holiday. (fotomarktplatz)
7. April 18, 1963: The family on 6-week holiday in Philadelphia. Albert is now 5 years old.
8. April 19, 1963: In a park in Philadelphia.
9. May 13, 1963: Grace and Albert in NY Regency Hotel after their holiday in Philadelphia.
10. May 19, 1963: The family in NY Regency Hotel after their holiday in Philadelphia, on their way back to Monaco.
APL Pictures

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1. Noveber 19, 1963: Monaco National Holiday.
2. 1965: Family holiday. Albert (7) has a younger sister, Stephanie who was born february 1, 1965. (Fotomarktplatz)
3. May 17, 1965: Picture of Albert and his father from an article of the day in LOOK Magazine.
4. November 19, 1965: Monaco National Holiday.
5. 6. April 6, 1966: The family at home, Rainier, Grace, Caroline (9), Albert (8), Stephanie (1).
7. September 15, 1966: The family on holiday at Ocean City, New Jersey.
8. March 17, 1967: Grace and Albert (9) while on holiday at Montego Bay, Jamaica.
9. October 14, 1967: Rainier showing Albert how to dribble the basketball at the Philadelphia Athletic Club while they were on holiday visiting Grace's family.
10. November 19, 1967: Monaco National Holiday.
APL Pictures

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1. January 1968: Caroline (11), Grace, Stephanie (3), Albert (10), Rainier.
2. 3. January 1968: Albert learning from his father.
4. 1969: Holiday in Switzerland. Albert (11), Rainier, Stephanie (4), Grace, Caroline (12).
5. November 19, 1969: Monaco National Holiday.
6. 1970: Family outing. Rainier, Stephanie (4), Albert (12), Grace, Caroline (13).
7. September 20, 1970: Grace is taking Stephanie to her first school day while Albert is going to the Lycée.
8. 9. November 19, 1970: Monaco National Holiday.
10. February 22, 1971: Albert (13), Stephanie (5), Caroline (14).
APL Pictures

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1. January 1973: Caroline (16), Rainier, Grace, Albert (15), Stephanie (7).
2. January 1973: Albert and Rainier.
3. August 30, 1973: The Grimaldi children mounted the podium as the winners of the family relay event in a swimming competion.
4 March 25, 1974:The Grimaldi family at the Vatican with Pope Paul VI. Rainier, Grace, Albert (16), Stephanie (8).
5. April 18, 1976: Caroline (19), Albert (18), Stephanie (9), Grace, Rainier.
6. 1978: Albert (20), Grace, Caroline (21), Philipe Junot in Switzerland.
7. September 5, 1979: Albert (22) talking to his girlfriend Kimberly Swift.
8. July 8, 1982: Albert (24), Stephanie (17), Rainier, Grace.
9. July 8, 1982: Albert and Rainier.
10. Funeral of Princess Grace: September 14th 1982, the tragic death of Princess Grace devastated the Grimaldi Family. Princess Grace died from complications to injuries sustained the previous day in a car accident. Her funeral was held on September 18, 1982. Prince Rainier, Prince Albert, Princess Caroline attended the service at the cathedral. Princess Stephanie who was in the car at the time of the accident was still recuperating in the hospital and could not attend the service.
APL Pictures

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1. to 4. September 18, 1982: Funeral of Princess Grace.
5. October 14, 1982: Princess Grace Memorial Service.
6.December 12, 1982: Albert.
7. 8. December 12, 1982: Family pictures.
9. December 28, 1982: Albert and Stephanie.
APL Pictures

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1. February 22, 1983: Albert (25), Rainier.
2. April 30, 1983: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.: Prince Albert of Monaco expresses his frustration with his doubles partner's errant shot while playing tennis with friends. Prince Albert was in South Florida with actress and model Brooke Shields to promote a pro-celebrity tennis series, whose June 1984 final event in Monte Carlo will benefit the Princess Grace Foundation.
3. August 5, 1983: Red Cross Ball.
4. 1984: Albert (26) with a trophy.
5. 1985: Albert (27) posing in front of a portrait of his mother, Princess Grace.
6. August 1985: Albert in New York. & 7. with his father, Rainier.
8. November 1, 1985: Gala for the Princess Grace Foundation in Los Angeles.
9. November 19, 1985: Monaco National Holiday.
APL Pictures

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1. January 1986: Prince Albert (28) in formal dress.
2. August 6, 1986: Albert with Caroline after the birth of Charlotte.
3. August 7, 1987: Albert (29) attends the Red Cross Ball.
4. September 7, 1987: Albert with Caroline after the birth of Pierre.
5. November 30, 1987: Albert ready for the Calgary Winter Olympics.
6. to 8. January 2, 1988: Albert (30) is getting ready for the Calgary Olympics.
9. November 17, 1988: The family in front of a portrait of Princess Grace.
10. November 19, 1988: Monaco National Holiday.
APL Pictures

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1. March 11, 1989: Albert (31) attends the Rose Ball.
2. June 28, 1989: The Grimaldi Family celebrate the 40th anniversary of Prince Rainier's reign.
3. 1900: Albert (32) poses in front of portrait of Princesd Grace with Caroline and himself as children.
4. October 6, 1990: funeral of Stefano Casiraghi, Caroline's husband who died in a boating accident.
5. November 19, 1990: Monaco National Holiday.
6. to 10. December 18, 1991: Prince Albert (33) of Monaco trains for the bobsled in the French Alps before the Winter Olympic Games.
APL Pictures

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1. May 14, 1992: Albert (34) at the World Music Awards with Claudia Schiffer.
2. May 16, 1992: The Grimaldi Family at the World Fair in Seville.
3. August 6, 1992: 10th anniversary of the Princess Grace Foundation.
4. August 7, 1992: Red Cross Ball.
5. November 13, 1992: Reception at the Lincoln Center.
6. 7. November 19, 1992: Monaco National Day.
8. 1993: Albert with Carole Bouquet at the showing of the Chanel haute-couture collection for the autumn winter of 1993/1994.
9. 10. April 21, 1993: Albert (35) as patron of the Patrouille de France.
APL Pictures