Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre, Prince of Monaco Marquis des Baux
For seven centuries the Grimaldi family has presided over the Principality of Monaco, one of the longest ruling families in Europe. This rare dynastic longevity is proof of national unity between the Princes and the Monegasque people.
The 700 years of Monaco's dynasty took root in the riches of the Latin World. Today Monaco has the time to unite perseverance with philosophy.
Full name: Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre
Title: Prince of Monaco Marquis des Baux (His Serene Highness)
Born: Monaco, March 14th, 1958
Parents: Rainier III Reigning Prince of Monaco (1923) and 1956, Grace Kelly (1929-1982)
Sisters: Caroline (1957, married) and St�phanie (1965, divorced)
Education and work: Lyc�e Albert I de Monaco until 1976; Amherst College, Massachussets - political science and economics with the subsidiary subjects psychology, English literature, art history, anthropology, geology, philosophy, sociology, German language and music (1977-1981) and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science on May 30th, 1981; instruction period aboard the French Navy Helicopter Carrier "Jeanne d'Arc" (September 1981 to April 1982) - ranked as a 2nd Class Ensign (Sub-Captain), Prince Albert is currently ranked as a 1st Class Ensign (Sub-Captain); Financial management with "Morgan Guarantee Trust" in New York (January to May 1983); management trainee with "Wells Rich and Greene" in New York (1983); training in Marketing Techniques with "LVMH Group", Paris (January to May 1984); management trainee with "Rogers and Wells" in New York (1985).
Since 1986 Albert has been perfecting his preparation for the management of State affairs. Alongside his father he attends Cabinet meetings, where questions of interior and international policies are discussed. His father confers certain dossiers specifically to him for examination and follow-up. Albert has also developed personal contacts with the representatives of the Monaco's economic sector and assists his father in his activities of representation in a concomitant manner. He assumes the chairmanship of various federations and organisations and is among others president of the Monegasque Red Cross, vice-president of the Princess Grace Foundation, president of the Television Festival of Monte-Carlo and head of the delegation of Monaco at the United Nations General Assembly.
In June 1985 Prince Albert was co-opted into the International Olympic Committee in Berlin. He is chairman of the Monegasque Olympic Committee since April 1994. He is president of the Monegasque Swimming, and Athletics Federations and of the Monaco Yacht Club.
Personality: humor, flexible, doesn't drink and doesn't smoke, sometimes hates being in the spotlight all the time, comes too late often.
Hobbies: travelling, sailing, rowing, tennis, football, handball, judo (black belt, 1st Dan), swimming, jogging along the boulevard in Monaco, riding, skiing, squash, golf, windsurfing, fencing, volleyball and bobsleigh, athletics, playing the drums, going out.
Further facts: licence to fly an helicopter, competed in five Olympic Winter Games in bobsleigh (1988, 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2002) and played in the film One Men's Hero in 1998. He speaks French, English, German and Italian.
His Serene Highness, Crown Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre, heir to the throne of Monaco and Marquis of Baux, was born on March 14th, 1958.
His Highness is the son of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, Louis Henri-Maxence-Bertrand, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, born in Monaco on May 31st, 1923, and the Late Princess Grace Patricia Kelly, born in Philadelphia (U.S.A.), on November 12th, 1929.
His Godfather was the late Prince Louis de Polignac, and his Godmother was Her Majesty, the late Queen Victoria-Eug�nia of Spain.
By order of his Father, H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, the following appointments were bestowed upon the young Crown Prince :
Grand Cross of the Order of the Grimaldis, April 18th , 1958 ,
Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles, March 13th, 1979 ,
Colonel of the Carabineers, November 11th, 1986.
H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert has also been bestowed the following foreign distinctions :
Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion of Senegal, awarded in May 1977 by H.E. Mr. L�opold Sedar Senghor, President of the Republic of Senegal, during his official visit to that country ;
Knight Grand Cross of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, January 27th, 1983 ;
Grand Officer of the Order of the Legion of Honour, conferred January 19th, 1984 by Mr. Fran�ois Mitterrand, President of the French Republic, during an official visit to Monaco ;
Reserve Captain in the Naval Officers' Corps, August 18th, 1988 ;
Chevalier of the Order of Malta, June 1989 ;
Grand Officer of the "Merite International du Sang", March 12th, 1994 ;
Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit, awarded July 25th, 1997 by President Jacques Chirac during an official visit to Monaco ;
Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign and Military Order of Malta, October 15th, 1997 ;
Elevation in the Order of "Darjah Kerabat Diraja Pahang", November 7th, 1997 in the Sultanate of Pahang ;
Grand Cross of the National Order of Niger, presented by President Ibrahim Bar� in March 1998.
The Grimaldi Family's Reign
In 1997, the Principality of Monaco celebrates the 700 years reign of the Grimaldi dynasty. It all began on January
8, 1297 when the Guelt Francois Grimaldi dressed as a Franciscan monk, seized the fortress protecting the famous rock
and the port of Hercules.
Surmounting the trials and tribulations of history and throughout the dark periods of foreign domination, the Principality
has managed to affirm its identity and preserved its independence throughout the centuries due to the wise guidance of its
Princes. Thus, at the threshold of the third millennium, it will celebrate its commitment and loyalty to the Grimaldi
family, its territory and community.
The Grimaldi dynasty has bequeathed Lords and then Princes to the Principality, illustrious in their many domains, who
wrote the most enticing pages in the history of Monaco. To cite but a few : Rainier I, General Admiral of France ;
Honore II, the first Prince of Monaco at the origins of the most important treaties with France ; Louis I, Ambassador to
the Holy See under Louis XIV ; Antoine I, grand patron of the arts ; Charles Ill, founder of Monte-Carlo ; Albert I,
renowned as the father of oceanography ; Louis II, the soldier Prince.
On January 8, 1997, the official ceremonies of the 700th anniversary begin. According to the decree of His Serene
Highness Prince Rainier Ill, the celebration will be "the living expression of the national unity of the nation ", and will
demonstrate once again the indisputable ties between the reigning family and the Monegasques " whose rich and
authentic history will allow the new generation to find a newborn faith for the future ", The organizational committee of
the 700th anniversary is presided by His Serene Highness Hereditary
Prince Albert.
On January 8, 1297, Francois Grimaldi took power of the Monaco fortress. In the book, "Monaco, its Origins and
History ", the indisputable authority on Monaco's history, author Gustave Saigne relates the details of this paramout
turning point in the history of the Principality : " During the night of January 8, 1297, a monk appeared at the gates of
Monaco. Inconspicuously, Francois Grimaldi was let through. Barely having entered the enclosed grounds, the imposture
monk threw himself over the guards, apparently few were holding watch, and a full pledged attack was launched as the
large Guelf troops, which had been hiding closely behind concealed by the obscurity of the night, forced the gates before
the guards could react. "
By his actions, Francois Grimaldi forever engraved the family name on the flanks of Monaco's rock.
Until that moment, its situation had remained precarious as events of the years preceding 1 297 witnessed:
- the political falldown of the Saintly Roman-Germanic Empire.
- the internal disarray in many Italian cities fallen prey to the
gutting wars between the rivaling Guelf and Ghibellines families.
- the indecisiveness of Charles II of Anjou, Count of Provence.
The rock belonged to Genova since 1215. To seize it was a clear act of war, but also a symbolic act with respect to
the Ghibellines, who remained in power in their home land.
Francois Grimaldi in monk frock, by fooling his adversaries and seizing the fortress, avoided a siege which would
have been costly in terms of means and lives. Seizing the strategically located harbor and fort also gave him the best
chances by which to reconquer Genova. The Grimaldi's and their partisans maintained their position on the rock for just
over four years, during which time, they pursued a merciless chase of the Ghibellines fleets and trade ships sailing
between Italy and the ports of Languedoc.
Throughout this period, Charles II of Anjou was digging himself deeper into an increasingly difficult situation
facing the accentuating threats of the Aragons territorial claims. He needed support which he was hoping to receive from
Genova ,to reinforce his fleet of ships.
Recognizing the value of the circumstances, Rainier Grimaldi deployed his naval forces and put his manoeuvering talents
into action. It was no longer a matter of fighting solely for his personal interests, but to offer his forces to serve a Prince
who would one day know how to compensate him well. He did the same with the King of France, Philippe le Bel, for
whom in 1 304, he brought back the victorious naval conquest of Zeriksee against the Flemish fleet, honoring him the
title of 'Admiral of France'. Rainier displayed unique comportment and model behavior, the tradition of which the
Grimaldi's have continued : recognition as a force that a powerful neighbor will appreciate, and find in its own interest to
take advantage of, under the reciprocated conditions of obtaining aid and protection, towards the common interest of
political emancipation.
Under the benevolent initiative taken by Charles II to return Monaco to Genova, the Grimaldi's conducted negotiations
with perseverance and shrewdness commanding respect for their conditions. Past were the days of surrender and being
treated as defeated, now transformed to the pursuit of discussions with regard for one another as equals.
The restoration of Monaco to the heart of the Republic of Genova, which was for many at the time, considered a
return to the former situation, although not considered so by the Grimaldi's. However, Rainier, leader of the dissidents,
preferred to retreat to Provence, demonstrating his desire for independence. He was the historical instigator of
Monegasque independence.
Hereditary Prince Albert, Alexandre, Louis, Pierre, Hereditary Prince of Monaco, Marquis of Baux, was born on March
14, 1958.
Prince Albert's godfather was the late Prince Louis de Polignac, and godmother the late Her Majesty Queen Victoria-
Eugenia of Spain.
HSH the Sovereign Prince bestowed upon HSH Hereditary Prince Albert the Grand-Cross of the Grimaldi Order with the
enactment of April 18, 1958, and the Grand-Cross of the Saint-Charles Order with the enactment of March 13, 1979.
During his official visit in May 1977, SEM Leopold Sedar Senghor, President of the Republic of Senegal, bestowed upon
the Hereditary Prince Albert the dignified title of Grand Officer of the Lion of Senegal National Order.
To commemorate his 21st birthday, the Postal-Stamp Office printed a stamp with his portrait. On January 19, 1984,
during an official visit to Monaco by the President of the Republic of France, Francois Mitterand , he received the
distinguished title of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor.
Since June 1989, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert is Knight of the Maltese Order.
The Hereditary Prince Albert went to school at the Lycee Albert I of Monaco, and received his baccalaureate diploma
with distinction in 1976. Between 1977-1981, he went to University in the United States, Amherst College in
Massachusetts where he studied political science, economics, psychology, English literature, art history anthropology,
geology, philosophy, sociology, German language, and music. On May 30, 1981, he received his Bachelor of
Administration in Political Science in the presence of Their Serene Highnesses the Sovereign Prince and Princess of
Monaco and HSH Princess Caroline.
Throughout his youth, scholarly studies and University years, the young Prince continues to shine in numerous sports dis-
ciplines :
- Athletics : Prince Albert was the best middle distance runner at the Lycee Albert I, and was on the cross-country team
between 1972-74.
During his studies at Amherst, he trained in the javelin
- Soccer : On the Monaco soccer team for four years, he still
plays often with the team he created and baptised the 'Barbagiuans'.
- Hand-ball, Judo black-belt, academic champion in swimming,
tennis, sailing, skiing, squash, fencing, rowing, are among-st the many
sports he enjoys.
During his summer holidays at Camp Tecumseh (USA), he competed and won two gold medals and one silver, in his
swimming category. He won two gold medals in fencing. Twice he was in the finals in the camp championships in 1971-
72, and 1973-74.
Since 1986 he has taken up Bobsleighing, and competed in the Olympic games in Calgary, Albertville and Lillehammer.
Keen on music, he was part of the University chorus, 'Amherst College Glee Club' with which he toured throughout
Europe and the Middle East during the summer of 1979.
From September 1981 to April 1982, Prince Albert engaged in the French Navy as second grade sub-lieutenant, on board
the helicopter-carrier 'Jeanne d'Arc', aboard which he traveled around the world. Currently, he is first grade sub-lieute-
nant.
By Sovereign Order on December 17, 1982, Prince Albert was nominated President of the Monaco Red-Cross. He fulfills
this position together with the board of directors to participate in the vast array of international aid programs of the
International Federation of the Red-Cross, whiles also actively taking their own aid program initiatives.
In 1982, he is also nominated Vice-President of the Princess Grace-USA Foundation which vocation is to continue the
endeavors in which Princess Grace engaged in the artistic world. The foundation grants scholarships to young talented
artists in the disciplines of : dance, music, theater....
From January to May 1983, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert does a finance administration internship at the Morgan
Guaranty Trust of New-York, complemented by a marketing training at the banks Paris headquarters from January to
May 1984.
At the end of 1983, the Prince spent a few months at Moet-Hennessy in Paris gaining a rich experience of the management challenges of a rapidly expanding multinational corporation.
On October 10, 1983, he becomes President of the Monegasque Swimming Federation which activities he follows
closely.
On May 15, 1984, he is nominated President of the Monaco Yacht Club, thus reviving his ancestors sea4aring traditions,
as did Albert I who in 1906 founded the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco. The Yacht Club's multiple activities range
from : Sailing school, international sailing and motorboat races (Monaco-New York Transatlantic of 1985), race gathe-
rings for Maxi-raters, 'Monaco Classic Week'. At the Olympic games of Seoul in 1988, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert
was the representative of the International Olympic Committee for the sailing and yacht races which took place in Pusan.
On July 17, 1984, Prince Albert is nominated President of the Monegasque Athletic Federation. He takes a very active
role in the organization of the annual meeting of the 'Grand Prix IAAF-Herculis'.
He is also Honorary President of the Monaco Sports Associations' (ASM) volley-ball division.
In July 1984, he assists the Los Angeles Olympic games as a private person accompanying the Monegasque Olympic
Delegation.
In the winter of 1985, Prince Albert goes to New York for an internship at the international law firm Rogers & Wells.
A multi-disciplined sportsman, in 1985 the Prince part-takes in the Paris-Dakar Race. During his participation in the race,
the Prince is struck by the misery and poverty of the regions crossed, and decided to do something for the inhabitants.
With support from the Monegasque - Monaco Aid and Presence Association (MAP) of which he is founder and Honorary
President, in May 1988 he arranged for the construction of a free health center in Agades, Nigeria which bares his name.
Recently a maternity ward was added. Other similar projects are in the makings in war-ridden countries such as in ex-
Yugoslavia, and in developing countries such as Sri-Lanka, Brazil, Rumania....
In June 1985, he was co-opted as a fellow member of the International Olympic Committee during the organizations' 90th
session held in Berlin.
On September 3, 1986, he is nominated Honorary Member of the International Human Rights Institute which headquar-
ters are located in Geneva.
By Sovereign Order of November 11, 1986, Prince Albert is elevated to the rank of Colonel of the Police Forces by the
Sovereign Prince.
In 1987, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert receives the 1986 Sports Academy Award, " Prix Claude Foussier", decorated by
M. Claude Foussier, President of the Academy in Paris.
HSH Hereditary Prince Albert participated, along with the members of the Monegasque Bobsleigh and Skeleton
Federations (which he created), in the winter Olympics of Calgary in February 1988, Albertville in February 1992 and
Lillehammer in February 1994.
By Sovereign Order on June 1, 1988, the Hereditary Prince Albert is nominated President of the Organizing Committee
of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, an international annual event which draws hundreds to the Principality during
the month of February. The festival is a television movie market complemented by Imagina, the synthetic image market
organized in conjunction with the INA.
In December 1988, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert is nominated Vice-President of the Athletic commission of the
International Olympic Committee by Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranche. In 1990, he is also nominated member of the coor-
dinating commission for the 1996 Atlanta Olympiad.
In March 1990, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert agrees to part-take in the support committee of the WWF France.
In March 1992, he agrees to be patron of the 'Outward Bound, France' Association which is dedicated to the concept of
'learning by doing' in its training of young people.
HSH Hereditary Prince Albert agreed to being patron of the French Patrols for the year 1993.
On May 28, 1993 when the Principality of Monaco was accorded full membership to the United Nations Organization,
the Sovereign Prince designated the Hereditary Prince Albert as President of the Monegasque Delegation to the General
Assembly of the UN. He thus participated in the opening of the 48th session in New York in September 1993.
In the same year, as Honorary President of the 101st session of the International Olympic Committee, HSH Hereditary
Prince Albert organized for the session to take place in Monaco in September 1993. It was during this important reunion
that the city of Sydney was chosen to be host city for the summer Olympic games of the year 2000.
In November 1993, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert is nominated President of the Monegasque Olympic Committee.
In November 1993, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert accepts to be Honorary President of the Friends of Opera Association
in Monaco.
By Sovereign Order on August 29, 1995, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert is nominated President of the committee in char-
ge of research and organizing the events commemorating in 1997 the "700th Anniversary of Grimaldi reign in Monaco".
In October 1995, in his position as President of he Monegasque Delegation, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert was, with
HSH Princess Caroline alongside HSH the Sovereign Prince, present at the commemorative ceremonies for the 50th
Anniversary 9f the United Nations in New York.
On a daily basis, the Hereditary Prince Albert consults with HSH the Sovereign Prince on State affairs. He is interested
in the management and administration of governmental affairs and participates in numerous social and official functions
of the Principality.
MONACO
The members of this family bear the title Prince[ss] of Monaco (Serene
Highness).
HONORÉ IV, Prince of Monaco 12 Mar 1795 (Monaco 17 May 1758-Paris
16 Feb 1819); m.Paris 15 Jul 1777 (div 1793) Louise d'Aumont, Duchesse
de Mazarin et de la Meilleraye (Paris 22 Oct 1759-Paris 13 Dec 1726)
1a) HONORÉE V Gabriel, Prince of Monaco (Paris 13 May 1778-Paris
2 Oct 1841)
2a) Tancrede FLORESTAN Roger Louis, Prince of Monaco (Paris 10 Oct
1785-Paris 20 Jun 1856); m.Commercy 27 Nov 1816 Caroline Gibert (Paris
18 Jul 1793-Monaco 25 Nov 1879)
1b) CHARLES III Honoré, Prince of Monaco (Paris 8 Dec 1818-Château
de Marchais 10 Sep 1889); m.Brussels 28 Sep 1846 Antoinette de Mérode
(Brussels 28 Sep 1828-Monaco 10 Feb 1864)
1c) ALBERT Honoré Charles, Prince of Monaco (Paris 13 Nov
1848-Paris 26 Jun 1922); m.1st Château de Marchais 21 Sep 1869 (div
1880) Lady Mary Douglas-Hamilton (Hamilton Palace 11 Dec 1850-Budapest
14 May 1922); m.2d Paris 30 Oct 1889 (judicially separated 1902) Alice
Heine, Dowager Dsse de Richelieu (New Orleans 10 Feb 1858-22 Dec 1925)
1d) LOUIS II Honoré Charles Antoine, Prince of Monaco (Baden-Baden
12 Jul 1870-Monaco 9 May 1949); m.Monaco 24 Jul 1946 Ghislaine Dommanget
(Rheims 13 Oct 1900-Neuilly-sur-Seine 30 Apr 1991); he had an illegitimate
daughter:
1e) Charlotte Louise Juliette, legitimated and granted title Dss
de Valentinois 16 May 1919, renounced rights in favor of her son 30 May
1944 (Constantine, Algeria 30 Sep 1898-Paris 16 Nov 1977); m.Monaco 19
Mar 1920 (div 1933) Pierre Cte de Polignac, cr Duc de Valentinois, cr Pr
of Monaco 18 Mar 1920 (Kerscamp 24 Oct 1895-Neuilly-sur-Seine 10 Nov 1964;
see Polignac)
1f) Antoinette Louise Alberte Suzanne, Baronne de Massy (b.Paris
28 Dec 1920); m.1st Genoa 4 Dec 1951 (div 1954) Alexandre Noghès
(b.Monaco 15 Jun 1916); m.2d The Hague 2 Dec 1961 (div 1973) Jean-Charles
Rey (Monaco 22 Oct 1914- Monaco 17 Sep 1994); m.3d Monaco 28 Jul 1983 John
Gilpin (Southsea, Hants 10 Feb 1930-London 5 Sep 1983)
1g) Elisabeth Anne de Massy, b.Monaco 1947; m.1st Monaco
19 Jan 1974 Bernard Alexandre Baron Taubert Natta (Geneva 2 Jul 1941-Geneva
13 Apr 1989); m.2d 1984 Nicolai Vladimir Costello, dit de Lusignan
1h) Jean-Léonard Baron Taubert Natta, b.Geneva
1974
2h) Mélanie de Lusignan, b.1985
2g) Christian Louis Baron de Massy, b.Monaco 17 Jan 1949;
m.1st Buenos Aires 14 Nov 1970 (div 1978) Maria Marta Quintana y del Carril
(b.London 17 Jun 1951); m.2d Cecile N (b.Guadeloupe); m.3d Ramatuelle 11
Sep 1982 (div 1987) Anne Michelle Lütken (28 Nov 1959- London 25 Nov
2001)
1h) Laetizia de Massy, b.Buenos Aires 16 May 1971
2h) Brice Baron de Massy, b.1988
3h) Baron Antoine de Massy, b.1997 [1996?]
3g) Christine Alix de Massy (Monaco 8 Jul 1951-Nice
15 Feb 1989); m.1st Monaco 14 Feb 1972 (div 1976) Charles Wayne Knecht
(b.Philadelphia 23 Nov 1944); m.2d 25 Mar 1988 Leon Leroy
1h) Keith Sebastian Knecht, b.Philadelphia 1972; m.Jul
1999 Donatella Dugaginy
2f) RAINIER III Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand, Pr of Monaco (b.Monaco
31 May 1923); m.Monaco (civ) 18 Apr 1956 (rel) 19 Apr 1956 Grace Kelly
(Philadelphia 12 Nov 1929-k.in car wreck at Monaco 14 Sep 1982)
1g) Caroline Louise Marguerite (b.Monaco 23 Jan 1957); m.1st Monaco
(civ) 28 Jun 1978 (rel) 29 Jun 1978 (div 1980) Philippe Junot (b.Paris
19 Apr 1940); m.2d Monaco 29 Dec 1983 Stefano Casiraghi (Milan 8 Sep 1960-k.in
boating accident nr Cap Ferrat 3 Oct 1990); m.3d Monaco 23 Jan 1999 Ernst
August Pr of Hannover (b.Hannover 26 Feb 1954)
1h) Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi (b.Princess Grace
Clinic, Monte Carlo 8 Jun 1984)
2h) Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi (b.Princess Grace
Clinic, Monte Carlo 3 Aug 1986)
3h) Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi (b.Princess Grace
Clinic, Monte Carlo 5 Sep 1987)
2g) Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre, Marquis des Baux (b.Monaco 14 Mar
1958)
3g) Stéphanie Marie Elisabeth (b.Monaco 1 Feb 1965); m.1st
Monaco 1 Jul 1995 (div 1996) Daniel Ducruet (b.27 Nov 1964); m.2d Geneva
12 Sep 2003 Adans Lopez Peres
1h) Louis Robert Paul Ducruet (b.Princess Grace Clinic,
Monte Carlo 26 Nov 1992)
2h) Pauline Grace Maguy Ducruet (b.Princess Grace Clinic,
Monte Carlo 4 May 1994)
3h) [illegitimate] Camille Marie Kelly Grimaldi (or Gottlieb)
(b.Princess Grace Clinic, Monte Carlo 15 Jul 1998)
2b) Florestine Gabrielle Antoinette (Fontenay 2 Oct 1833-Stuttgart
24 Apr 1897); m.Monaco 15 Feb 1863 Wilhelm, Duke von Urach (Stuttgart 6
Jul 1810-Schloß Lichtenstein 17 Jul 1869)
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