Prince Albert has officially been enthroned leader of the small, but exotic country of Monaco.
As Prince Albert took his first steps as leader, the crowd cheered “Long live Prince Albert”. Side by side with his sisters, Princesses Stephanie and Caroline,
His Serene Highness Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre, Marquis of Baux, headed a procession of royalty from the palace to the port, where the celebrations began.
Prince Albert wore a plain dark suit, complimented by a sky blue tie during the formal ceremony.
After Prince Albert had led the procession through the narrow Monaco lanes and streets there was dancing and excitement throughout the city.
“You can feel it, there’s going to be a wave of something new here,” says Melanie Rey, a 20-year-old taking part in the festivities.
Shops were closed as citizens rejoiced and celebrated long into the night.
An outdoor dance party belted out tunes into the night, as Monaco celebrated the joy of a new era, a new leader.
A fireworks display topped off the evening set to a variety of acclaimed popular music such as U2.
Family HistoryPrince Albert took the throne from his father, His Serene Highness Rainier III, Sovereign Prince of Monaco.
Prince Rainier III of Monaco ruled from 1949 to 2005 before passing away earlier this year. He suffered renal and heart failure.
Most famous for his marriage to American super star, Grace Kelly, Rainier had 3 children, Albert and Princesses Caroline and Stephanie. Kelly died in a tragic car accident in 1982.
Rainier turned Monaco around. He changed it from a gambling haven into a respectable world class town, although still noted for its financial windfalls for residents.
Rainier is buried next to his late wife.
Albert is considered a worthy choice to the throne, despite his shortcomings he is considered far less exciting than his two sisters. Between them, Stephanie and Caroline have been married five times and have seven children.
If Albert has no legitimate children, the throne will be passed onto his sister, Caroline. Rainier changed the constitution to allow this to take place.
The Land of Plenty
With a reputation as the playground for the rich,
Monaco’s cultured atmosphere brims with restaurants, museums, hotels, theatres, casinos, even its own annual
Grand Prix.Ironically, for such a small principality populated by a little over 30,000 people, 130,000 banking clients are believed to have combined investments worth US$78 billion. However, a history of money-laundering and tax-evasion earned Monaco the reputation as one of the world’s largest
“uncooperative tax havens.”Prince Albert II has addressed the problem, stating in a
television interview one of his priorities is to erase the principality’s reputation of becoming a refuge for corruption and dirty money.
Troubling TimesPrince Albert’s enthronement is seen by many as a potential end to Monaco’s turbulent 700-year existence. But the portrayed playboy is no stranger to controversy himself. Soon after the death of Monaco’s former ruler Prince Rainer,
photos of Albert’s illegitimate 2-year-old son (the result of an affair with an air-hostess) were published in a gossip magazine. Albert even admitted other paternity claims may come forward, and said he would respond to them “when the time comes.”
By Manny Tsigas and
Paul Riordan
