Monaco’s Prince Rainier dead at 81 (grace, America, marriage, Article)

[Green Gaia]

Article

MONACO - Prince Rainier III, whose marriage to American film star Grace Kelly brought elegance and glamour to one of Europe’s oldest dynasties, died Wednesday at the hospital treating him for heart, kidney and breathing problems. He was 81.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Maize

Article

MONACO - Prince Rainier III, whose marriage to American film star Grace Kelly brought elegance and glamour to one of Europe’s oldest dynasties, died Wednesday at the hospital treating him for heart, kidney and breathing problems. He was 81.

Very sad, but his was a 'good age' - I personally think he never quite 'got over' the death of Grace Kelly.

[Bastet]

Originally Posted by michel

Very sad, but his was a 'good age' - I personally think he never quite 'got over' the death of Grace Kelly.

I think you're right...

[Ceridwen018]

Is Prince Albert going to take over then? Am I right in asserting that the people of Monaco would prefer Albert's sister or neice to take over because Albert doesn't have an heir?

[Bastet]

I read the article last night, and I think Albert is taking over...but I think that it passes to one of his sisters should he die, as he has no heir. I don't know if that's 100% right, but it's the gist I got (I was a couple beers to the wind by 9pm last night, so I could be wrong ).

*edit* From the article:

Rainier's son to assume throne
Monaco had been preparing for the demise of its prince for several years.
Prince Albert is unmarried and has no children. Monaco changed its succession law in 2002 to allow power to pass from a reigning prince who has no descendants to his siblings. Albert has two sisters, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie, both of whom have children.