APRIL 6, 2005

Prince Rainier of Monaco

It has been announced in Monaco that Prince Rainier has died. He had been on the throne of Monaco for 56 years having succeeded his grandfather Prince Louis II in May 1949, at the age of 26, his mother Princess Charlotte having decided to renounce the crown in his favour. He married Grace Kelly in 1956. Under his rule Monaco boomed and the Prince was a great supporter of the Monaco Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo Rally. He was also an avid car collector and his collection is now open to the public in Monaco.

He will be succeeded by Prince Albert, who is already a big supporter of F1, knowing the value that the racing has brought to the principality since the first event in 1929.

Monaco will have three days of mourning this week. A date for the coronation is yet to be decided but it will certainly not be a date which will disrupt the Grand Prix in May.