Rainier III (Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi; 31 May 1923 – 6 April 2005) was the Prince of Monaco from 1949 until his death in 2005. Prince Rainier ruled the Principality of Monaco for nearly 56 years.

He was born at the Prince's Palace of Monaco. He was the only son of Prince Pierre and Princess Charlotte. Rainier helped change Monaco's economy. It moved from being mainly about casino gambling to a place known for culture and business. He also updated Monaco's constitution. This new constitution limited the Prince's power.

Rainier married American film star Grace Kelly in 1956. Their wedding was watched by people all over the world. They had three children: Caroline, Albert, and Stéphanie. Prince Rainier passed away in April 2005 due to health problems. His son, Albert II, became the new Prince.

Early Life and Education
Prince Rainier's Reign
Personal Interests and Collections
- Marriage to Grace Kelly
Later Years and Passing
Honours and Awards
- Awards
Symbols and Emblems
See also

Early Life and Education

Rainier was born at the Prince's Palace of Monaco in 1923. He was the first prince born in Monaco since 1758. His mother, Charlotte, was the only child of Louis II, Prince of Monaco. She was named the future ruler of Monaco. Rainier's father, Count Pierre of Polignac, became a Prince of Monaco when he married Charlotte. Rainier also had an older sister, Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy. His parents divorced in 1933.

Rainier went to school in England first. He attended Summerfields and Stowe School. From 1939, he studied in Switzerland at the Institut Le Rosey. Later, he went to the University of Montpellier in France. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree there in 1943. He also studied at the Institut d'études politiques de Paris in Paris.

In 1944, just before his 21st birthday, Rainier's mother gave up her right to the throne. This made Rainier the direct heir to his grandfather, Prince Louis II. During World War II, Rainier joined the Free French Army in September 1944. He served as a second lieutenant. He fought in the German counter-offensive in Alsace. Rainier received the French Croix de Guerre for his bravery. He was also given the rank of Legion of Honor in 1947. He was promoted to Captain in 1949 and Colonel in 1954.

Rainier became the Sovereign Prince of Monaco on 9 May 1949. This happened after his grandfather, Prince Louis II, passed away. Rainier was 25 years old.

Prince Rainier's Reign

Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace arrive at the White House for a luncheon in May 1961.

Silver coin: 50 Francs, 25th Anniversary of Rainier III's reign (1949 – 1974)

Silver coin: 100 Francs, 40th Anniversary of Rainier III's reign (1949 – 1989)

After becoming Prince, Rainier III worked hard to make Monaco famous again. The country's finances were not in good shape. Many rich people who used to visit Monaco's casinos had less money after World War II. Also, new gambling places opened up.

To fix this, Rainier decided to make Monaco a place for business and tourism. He wanted it to be a tax haven and a great place to visit. In the early years, a rich shipping businessman, Aristotle Onassis, tried to control Monaco's main company, the Société des Bains de Mer. Onassis wanted Monaco to be only a gambling resort. But Prince Rainier took back control in 1964. This made sure his own plans for Monaco could happen.

In 1955, a bank in Monaco, the Societé Monégasque de Banques et de Métaux Précieux, went bankrupt. This caused Monaco's government to change. In 1962, Rainier approved a new constitution for Monaco. This new set of rules greatly reduced the Prince's power. He had stopped the old constitution in 1959. The changes meant that power was shared between the Prince and a National Council. This council had eighteen elected members.

When he passed away, Prince Rainier was the second longest-serving leader in the world. Only the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, had ruled longer.

Personal Interests and Collections

Rainier had a long relationship with French actress Gisèle Pascal before his marriage. They met when he was a student.

Prince Rainier loved stamps. In 1950, he opened the Museum of Stamps and Coins in Monaco. He used the collections of previous Monegasque princes, Albert I and Louis II. In 1999, he helped create a special club for stamp collectors. This club, called Club de Monte-Carlo de l'Élite de la Philatélie, is based at the museum. Rainier often organized exhibitions of rare stamps with the club members. He carefully watched how Monaco's stamps were made. He especially liked stamps made using the intaglio method.

Rainier also had a large collection of cars. He opened this collection to the public. It is now known as the Monaco Top Cars Collection in Fontvieille.

Marriage to Grace Kelly

The Princely Family in 1966

Prince Rainier met Academy Award-winning actress Grace Kelly in 1955. They met during a photo session at the Palace. After about a year, Prince Rainier married Kelly in 1956.

Their wedding received huge attention from people worldwide. The media called it the "wedding of the century." The civil ceremony took place at the Palace on 18 April. The religious wedding was held on 19 April at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Rainier wore a military uniform he designed himself. The wedding was shown on TV by MGM Studios. Over 30 million people watched it around the world. The couple spent their honeymoon on their yacht in the Mediterranean.

Princess Grace gave birth to their first child, Princess Caroline, in 1957. Their second child and future ruler, Prince Albert, was born in 1958. Their youngest child, Princess Stéphanie, was born in 1965. All their children were born at the Palace.

In 1979, the Prince and Princess acted together in a short film called Rearranged. Princess Grace showed it to TV executives in New York in 1982. Sadly, Princess Grace died in a car crash in 1982. After her death, Rainier chose not to remarry. He created the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in 1982. This foundation helps young American artists.

Later Years and Passing

Prince Rainier III (middle) with his son Albert (left) in 1998

The tomb of Prince Rainier III at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate

In his later years, Prince Rainier's health slowly declined. He had surgeries in 1999 and 2000. He was hospitalized in November 2002 for a chest infection. In January 2004, he spent three weeks in the hospital due to general tiredness. In February 2004, he was hospitalized again for heart and blood vessel issues. In October, he had another lung infection. In November of that year, Prince Albert said his father was doing well, but had bronchitis.

On 7 March 2005, he was hospitalized again with a lung infection. Rainier was moved to the intensive care unit on 22 March. The next day, it was announced he was on a ventilator. He was suffering from kidney and heart problems. On 26 March, the palace said his health was still getting worse. However, the next day, he was reported to be conscious. His heart and kidney conditions had become stable. His chances of recovery remained very low.

On 31 March 2005, Prince Rainier's son, Hereditary Prince Albert, took over his father's duties. This happened because Rainier was no longer able to perform his princely functions.

On 1 April 2005, the Palace announced that doctors believed Rainier's chances of getting better were "slim." On 6 April, Prince Rainier III passed away at the Cardiothoracic Centre of Monaco. He was 81 years old. His only son, Albert, became Prince Albert II. Prince Rainier was buried on 15 April 2005. He was laid to rest next to his wife, Princess Grace. Their burial place is the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate. This is the traditional burial site for Monaco's princes and princesses. It is also where they were married in 1956.

Honours and Awards

Prince Rainier III received many honours and awards from different countries and organizations.

France: Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour
Iran: Recipient of the Commemorative Medal of the 2,500-year Celebration of the Persian Empire
Italy: Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit
Portugal: Grand Cross with Collar of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword
Republic of San Marino: Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of Saint-Marin