View source for Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

{{short description|Prince of Monaco from 1949 to 2005}}
{{Redirect|Prince Rainier|the Hungarian nobleman|Prince Rainer of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Rainier III
| full name    = Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi
| succession   = [[Prince of Monaco]]
| image        = Rainier III (JFKWHP-KN-C17888, cropped).jpg
| caption      = Rainier III in 1961
| reign        = 9 May 1949 – 6 April 2005
| predecessor  = [[Louis II, Prince of Monaco|Louis II]]
| successor    = [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert II]]
| regent       = Albert (2005)
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Grace Kelly]]|18 April 1956|14 September 1982|end=died}}
| issue        = {{plain list|
* [[Caroline, Princess of Hanover]]
* [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco]]
* [[Princess Stéphanie of Monaco|Princess Stéphanie]]
}}
| house        = [[House of Grimaldi|Grimaldi]]
| father       = [[Prince Pierre, Duke of Valentinois|Pierre de Polignac]]
| mother       = [[Charlotte, Hereditary Princess of Monaco]]
| birth_date   = {{Birth date|1923|5|31|df=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Prince's Palace of Monaco]], Monaco
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|2005|4|6|1923|5|31|df=y}}
| death_place  = [[Cardiothoracic Centre of Monaco]], Monaco
| burial_date  = 15 April 2005
| burial_place = [[Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate]], Monaco
| religion     = [[Catholic Church in Monaco|Roman Catholicism]]
| signature    = Rainier III signature.svg
| module       = {{infobox person | embed=yes
  | education     = {{plain list|
* [[University of Montpellier]]
* [[Sciences Po]]
}}
}}
}}

'''Rainier III''' (Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi;<ref>{{Britannica |title=Rainier III, prince de Monaco}}</ref> 31 May 1923 – 6 April 2005) was [[Prince of Monaco]] from 1949 to [[Funeral of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco|his death]] in 2005. Rainier ruled the [[Principality of Monaco]] for almost 56 years.

Rainier was born at the [[Prince's Palace of Monaco]], the only son of [[Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois|Hereditary Princess Charlotte]] and [[Prince Pierre, Duke of Valentinois|Prince Pierre]]. During his reign, he was responsible for the transformation of Monaco's economy, shifting from its traditional [[casino gambling]] base to its current status as a [[tax haven]] and cultural destination. The Prince also coordinated the substantial reforms of [[Monaco's constitution]], which limited the powers of sovereign rule.

Rainier [[Wedding of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and Grace Kelly|married]] American film star [[Grace Kelly]] in 1956, which generated global media attention. They had three children: [[Princess Caroline of Monaco|Caroline]], [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert]] and [[Princess Stéphanie of Monaco|Stéphanie]]. Rainier died in April 2005 from complications relating to a lung infection compromised by years of [[cigarette smoking]]; he was succeeded by his son, Albert II.

==Early life==
Rainier was born on 31 May 1923 at [[Prince's Palace of Monaco|Prince's Palace]] in Monaco, the first native-born prince since [[Honoré IV]] in 1758. Rainier's mother, Charlotte, was the only child of [[Louis II, Prince of Monaco]], and his lover, [[Marie Juliette Louvet]]; she was legitimised through formal adoption and subsequently named [[heiress presumptive]] to the throne of Monaco. Rainier's father, [[Count Pierre of Polignac]], who was half-[[French nobility|French]] and half-[[Mexican nobility|Mexican]], adopted his wife's dynasty, Grimaldi, upon marriage and was made a Prince of Monaco by his father-in-law. Rainier had an older sister, [[Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy]].<ref name="Times Obituary">"Obituary: Prince Rainier III of Monaco.", ''[[The Times]]'', London, 7 April 2005, p. 58.</ref> His parents divorced in 1933.

Rainier's early education was conducted in England, at the [[public school (England)|public schools]] of [[Summerfields, St Leonards-on-Sea|Summerfields]] in [[St Leonards-on-Sea]], Sussex, and after 1935<ref name="jvb">Von Bergen, Julie. (2017). ''Rainer III, Prince of Monaco''. Great Neck Publishing, 2017.</ref> at [[Stowe School]], in Buckinghamshire.  Rainier then attended the [[Institut Le Rosey]] in [[Rolle]] and [[Gstaad]], Switzerland from 1939, before continuing to the [[University of Montpellier]] in France, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1943, before studying at [[Sciences Po Paris]] in Paris.<ref name="Times Obituary"/>

In 1944, the day before his 21st birthday, Rainier's mother renounced her right to the Monegasque throne and Rainier became Prince Louis's direct heir. In [[World War II]], Rainier joined the [[Free French Army]] in September 1944, and served under General [[Joseph de Goislard de Monsabert]] as a [[second lieutenant]]. As a soldier, he witnessed action during the [[Operation Northwind (1944)|German counter-offensive]] in [[Alsace]]. Rainier received the French [[Croix de guerre 1939–1945|Croix de Guerre]] with bronze star (representing a brigade level citation) and was given the rank of [[Legion of Honor]] in 1947. Following his decommission from the [[French Army]], he was promoted by the French government to captain in April 1949 and colonel in December 1954.<ref name="Times Obituary"/>

Rainier became the Sovereign Prince of Monaco at the age of 25 upon the death of his maternal grandfather, Prince Louis II, on 9 May 1949.<ref name="Times Obituary"/>

==Reign==
[[File:Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III.jpg|thumb|right|Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace arrive at the [[White House]] for a luncheon in May 1961.]]
[[File:50 franc Rainier III Anniversary of Reign - 1974.png|thumb|250px|[[Silver coin]]: 50 Francs, 25th Anniversary of [[Rainier III]] reign of [[Principality of Monaco]] (1949 – 1974)]]
[[File:100fr Rainier III - 1989.png|thumb|250px|[[Silver coin]]: 100 Francs, 40th Anniversary of [[Rainier III]] reign of [[Principality of Monaco]] (1949 – 1989)]]
After ascending the throne, Rainier III worked to recoup Monaco's lustre, which had become tarnished through financial neglect and scandal (his mother, Princess Charlotte, took a noted jewel thief known as René the Cane as her lover). Upon ascension, the Prince found a treasury that was practically empty. Monaco's traditional gambling clientele, largely European aristocrats, found themselves with reduced funds after World War II. Other successful gambling centres had opened to compete with Monaco. To compensate for the loss of income, Rainier decided to promote Monaco as a [[tax haven]], commercial centre, real-estate development opportunity, and international tourist attraction.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellomonaco.com/sightseeing/grimaldi-family/the-house-of-grimaldi-rainier-iii-the-builder-prince-of-monaco/|title=The House of Grimaldi: Rainier III- The Builder Prince of Monaco|date=27 September 2016|website=HelloMonaco|language=en-US|access-date=30 March 2020|archive-date=27 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527103447/https://www.hellomonaco.com/sightseeing/grimaldi-family/the-house-of-grimaldi-rainier-iii-the-builder-prince-of-monaco/|url-status=live}}</ref> The early years of his reign saw the overweening involvement of the Greek shipping tycoon [[Aristotle Onassis]], who took control of the [[Société des Bains de Mer]] and envisioned Monaco as solely a gambling resort. Prince Rainier regained control of SBM in 1964, effectively ensuring that his vision of Monaco would be implemented.<ref name=":0" />

During his reign, the [[Societé Monégasque de Banques et de Métaux Précieux]], a bank which held a significant amount of Monaco's capital, was bankrupted by its investments in a media company in 1955, leading to the resignation of Monaco's cabinet. In 1962, Rainier ratified the Principality's new constitution, which significantly reduced the power of the sovereign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://monaconow.com/rainier-iii-the-builder-prince/|title=Monaco Now {{!}} Rainier III, the Builder Prince|date=16 December 2019|website=Monaco Now|access-date=30 March 2020|archive-date=13 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413033540/https://monaconow.com/rainier-iii-the-builder-prince/|url-status=live}}</ref> He had suspended the previous constitution in 1959, saying that it "has hindered the administrative and political life of the country". The changes ended autocratic rule, placing power with both the Prince and a National Council of eighteen elected members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/royalty-obituaries/1487262/Prince-Rainier-III-of-Monaco.html|location=London|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Prince Rainier III of Monaco|date=7 April 2005|archive-date=25 December 2017|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225230030/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/royalty-obituaries/1487262/Prince-Rainier-III-of-Monaco.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the time of his death, he was the world's second longest-serving living [[head of state]], just below the [[King of Thailand]], [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]], and the longest-reigning monarch in Europe.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-07-05 |title=Prince Rainier III of Monaco |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/prince-rainier-iii-of-monaco-528258.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526093302/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/prince-rainier-iii-of-monaco-528258.html |archive-date=2022-05-26 |access-date=2024-08-30 |work=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/monaco-s-prince-rainier-dies-1.567019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408091726/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/monaco-s-prince-rainier-dies-1.567019|url-status=live|archive-date=8 April 2016|title=Monaco's Prince Rainier dies|date=6 April 2005|publisher=CBC News|access-date=30 August 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In the 1940s and 1950s, Rainier had a ten-year relationship with the French film actress [[Gisèle Pascal]], whom he had met while a student at Montpellier University,<ref name="jvb" /> and the couple lived at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Rainier's sister, [[Princess Antoinette, Baroness of Massy|Princess Antoinette]], wishing her own son to ascend the throne, spread rumors that Pascal was infertile. The rumours combined with a snobbery over Pascal's family origins ultimately ended the relationship.<ref name=IndFeb07>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/giselle-pascal-435470.html|title=Obituary: Giselle Pascal|date=8 February 2007|work=The Independent|access-date=11 January 2014|archive-date=3 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203000903/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/giselle-pascal-435470.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rainier established a postal museum in 1950: the [[Museum of Stamps and Coins]], in Monaco's [[Fontvieille, Monaco|Fontvieille]] district<ref name=StampMag>{{cite news|url=http://www.stampmagazine.co.uk/news/article/monaco-refreshing-rainier/8284|title=Monaco: Refreshing Rainier|publisher=Stamp Magazine|access-date=4 August 2014|archive-date=10 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810200932/http://www.stampmagazine.co.uk/news/article/monaco-refreshing-rainier/8284|url-status=dead}}</ref> by using the collections of the Monegasque princes [[Albert I, Prince of Monaco|Albert I]] and [[Louis II, Prince of Monaco|Louis II]]. The prestigious philatelic collectors organization, Club de Monte-Carlo de l'Élite de la Philatélie, was established in 1999 under his direct patronage.  The club is headquartered at the postal museum, and its membership restricted to institutions and one hundred prestigious collectors.<ref name='PF'>{{cite web|title=Museums|url=http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/News/Postage-stamps/Why-100-of-the-world's-top-collectors-will-be-in-Monaco-this-weekend/1187.page|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815032716/http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/News/Postage-stamps/Why-100-of-the-world's-top-collectors-will-be-in-Monaco-this-weekend/1187.page|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 August 2014|work=Why 100 of the world's top collectors will be in Monaco this weekend|publisher=Paul Fraser Collectibles|access-date=4 August 2014}}</ref> Rainier organized exhibitions of rare and exceptional postage stamps and letters with the club's members.<ref name='PF'/> 

Throughout his reign, Rainier surveyed all the process of creation of Monaco stamps. He preferred stamps printed in [[Intaglio (printmaking)|intaglio]] and the art of engravers [[Henri Cheffer]] and [[Czesław Słania]].<ref name="StampMag" />

Rainier's car collection was opened to the public as the [[Monaco Top Cars Collection]] in Fontvieille.<ref name='FIAMon'>{{cite web|title=Monaco Top Cars Collection|url=http://www.fiaheritagemuseums.com/240-monaco-top-cars-collection.html|work=FIA Heritage Museums|publisher=FIA|access-date=4 August 2014|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806125631/http://www.fiaheritagemuseums.com/240-monaco-top-cars-collection.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Marriage and family===
{{main|Wedding of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and Grace Kelly}}
[[File:Famiglia reale del Principato di Monaco (1966).jpg|190px|left|thumb|The Princely Family in 1966]]
The Prince met [[Academy Award]]–winning actress [[Grace Kelly]], in 1955, during a photocall at the Palace scheduled to support her trip to the [[Cannes Film Festival]]. After a year-long courtship described as containing "a good deal of rational appraisal on both sides," Prince Rainier married Kelly in 1956.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/19/newsid_2720000/2720723.stm 1956: Prince Rainier marries Grace Kelly] , ''BBC: On This Day''. Accessed 31 May 2008.</ref> 

The union was met with mass attention from the public, and was described as the "wedding of the century" and the "world's most anticipated wedding" by the media. The civil ceremony took place at the Palace on 18 April, with the religious wedding being held on 19 April at the [[Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate|Saint Nicholas Cathedral]]. Rainier wore a military dress of his own design, based on the uniforms of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]. Presided over by Bishop Gilles Barthe, the marriage was broadcast by [[MGM]] Studios, and viewed by over 30 million people across the globe. The couple honeymooned in the [[Mediterranean]] on their yacht, ''Deo Juvante II''.

Princess Grace gave birth to their first child, [[Princess Caroline of Monaco|Princess Caroline]], on 23 January 1957. Their second child and heir, [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Prince Albert]], was born on 14 March 1958. Their youngest, [[Princess Stéphanie of Monaco|Princess Stéphanie]], was born 1 February 1965, with all children having been delivered at the Palace.

In 1979, the Prince made his acting debut alongside the Princess in a half-hour independent film, ''Rearranged'', produced in Monaco. After its premiere in Monaco, Princess Grace showed it to [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] TV executives, in New York in 1982, who expressed interest if extra scenes were shot. Later that year, Grace died in a car crash caused by a [[cerebral hemorrhage]], making it impossible to expand the film for an American release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084576/|title=Rearranged (1982)|website=IMDb.com|access-date=7 March 2017|archive-date=5 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105064653/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084576/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0504/15/lkl.01.html |title=CNN.com – Transcripts |website=Transcripts.cnn.com |date=15 April 2005 |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-date=5 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005183424/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0504/15/lkl.01.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v_VfBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT269 |title=Grace: A Biography |author=Thilo Wydra |date=18 November 2014 |publisher=Skyhorse |isbn=9781629149677 |access-date=7 March 2017}}</ref> After Grace's death, Rainier refused to remarry.<ref name=":1" /> He established the [[Princess Grace Foundation-USA]] in 1982 in her honor, to support fledging American artists.

==Illness and death==
{{also|Funeral of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco}}
[[File:Rainier III 1998-10-05.jpg|thumb|Prince Rainier III ''(middle)'' with his son Albert ''(left)'' in 1998]]
[[File:Interior of Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco (10).jpg|thumb|The tomb of Prince Rainier III at the [[Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate]]]]

[[File:Statua di bronzo a grandezza naturale del Principe Ranieri III.jpg|thumb|Life-size bronze statue of Prince Rainier III by Dutch sculptor [[Kees Verkade]]]]

Rainier smoked sixty cigarettes a day.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Barker |first=Dennis |date=2005-04-06 |title=Prince Rainier of Monaco |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/apr/06/guardianobituaries1 |access-date=2017-03-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In the last years of his life his health progressively declined. He underwent surgery in late 1999 and 2000, and was hospitalized in November 2002 for a chest infection. He spent three weeks in hospital in January 2004 for what was described as general fatigue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7270562 |title=Prince Rainier moved to intensive care – World news – Europe |publisher=NBC News |date=22 March 2005 |access-date=9 May 2014 |archive-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102152747/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7270562 |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2004, he was hospitalized with a coronary lesion and a damaged blood vessel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-07-me-rainier7-story.html|title=Prince Rainier III, 81; Ruler Transformed Monaco, Made Grace Kelly His Princess|website=Los Angeles Times|date=7 April 2005|access-date=14 August 2024|archive-date=24 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424004238/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-07-me-rainier7-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In October of that year, he was again in hospital with a lung infection. His son, Hereditary Prince Albert, later appeared on [[CNN]]'s ''[[Larry King Live]]'' and told [[Larry King]] that his father was fine, though he was suffering from [[bronchitis]].<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0411/18/lkl.01.html Interview With Prince Albert of Monaco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506215558/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0411/18/lkl.01.html |date=6 May 2021 }}, ''CNN'', 18 November 2004. Accessed 31 May 2008.</ref>

On 7 March 2005, he was again hospitalized for a lung infection. On 22 March, he was then moved to the hospital's intensive care unit. The following day, it was announced he was on a [[ventilator]], suffering from [[renal failure|renal]] and heart failure. On 26 March, the palace reported that despite intensive ongoing efforts to improve the prince's health, he was continuing to deteriorate; however, on 27 March, he was reported to be conscious, his heart and kidney conditions having stabilized. His prognosis remained "very reserved".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4385965.stm|title=Rainier's condition 'stabilises'|date=27 March 2005|work=BBC News|access-date=18 August 2008|archive-date=21 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621180606/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4385965.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 31 March 2005, following consultation with the [[Crown Council of Monaco]], the [[Palais Princier]] announced that Hereditary Prince Albert would take over the duties of his father as [[regent]] since Rainier was no longer able to exercise his princely functions.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7347372 Son of ailing Prince Rainier takes over duties] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222062543/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7347372 |date=22 February 2025 }}, ''MSNBC'', 31 March 2005. Accessed 31 May 2008.</ref> On 1 April 2005, the Palace announced that Rainier's doctors believed his chances of recovery were "slim".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rainier-s-recovery-chances-slim-doctors-say-1.538503|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090307012018/http://origin.www.cbc.ca/world/story/2005/04/01/rainier-050401.html|url-status=live|archive-date=7 March 2009|title=Rainier's recovery chances slim, doctors say|date=1 April 2005|publisher=CBC News|access-date=18 August 2008}}</ref> On 6 April, Prince Rainier III died at the [[Cardiothoracic Centre of Monaco]] at 6:35&nbsp;am local time at the age of 81. His son subsequently became the new Prince of Monaco as Albert II.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4415291.stm|title=Monaco's Prince Rainier, 81, dies|date=6 April 2005|work=BBC News|access-date=18 August 2008|archive-date=14 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114064142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4415291.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Funeral of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco|His funeral]] was held on 15 April 2005 at the [[Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate]], the cathedral where Rainier and Grace had married nearly 50 years before. He was laid to rest beside his wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/b1c5425907fc1876c125706d0042ab74gb?OpenDocument&2Gb |title=Monaco Cathedral |date=28 July 2008 |publisher=Service Informatique du Ministère d'Etat (Monaco Minister of State Information Service) |access-date=18 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623235650/http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/b1c5425907fc1876c125706d0042ab74gb?OpenDocument&2Gb |archive-date=23 June 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Burial">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/monaco/1487978/Monacos-farewell-to-its-sovereign-and-friend.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/monaco/1487978/Monacos-farewell-to-its-sovereign-and-friend.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Monaco's farewell to its sovereign and friend|last=Randall|first=Colin|date=16 April 2005|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=18 August 2008|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Rainier's death was overshadowed in the media as it occurred shortly after [[Death and funeral of Pope John Paul II|that of Pope John Paul II]].<ref name="Burial"/>

==Honours==
* France: Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of the Legion of Honour]]<ref name="chiavassa">{{cite book |last1=Chiavassa |first1=Henri |title=The History of the Principality of Monaco as Seen Through its Postage Stamps |date=1964 |publisher=Postage Stamp Issuing Office |location=Monaco |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9uNFAQAAIAAJ |access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>
* Iran [[Pahlavi Dynasty|Iranian Imperial Family]]: Recipient of the [[2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire|Commemorative Medal of the 2,500-year Celebration of the Persian Empire]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://badraie.com/guests.htm |title=Grand State Banquet |website=badraie.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040302191209/http://badraie.com/guests.htm |archive-date=2 March 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Italy: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=32067 |title=Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana |website=Quirinale.it |date=30 May 1953 |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-date=14 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214082657/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=32067 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order pro merito Melitensi|Order of Merit]]
* Portugal: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Military Order of Saint James of the Sword]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154&list=1 |title=CIDADÃOS ESTRANGEIROS AGRACIADOS COM ORDENS PORTUGUESAS – Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas |website=Ordens.presidencia.pt |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-date=3 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303144739/http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Republic of San Marino: Grand Cross of the [[Equestrian Order of Saint Marinus]]<ref name="chiavassa" />
* Nicaragua: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Rubén Darío]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cloud.gouv.mc/webweb/Annuoff.nsf/(ListCh)/B7433860E52C08F9C12567C20033DFD7!OpenDocument |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=cloud.gouv.mc |title=Annuaire officiel de la principauté de Monaco |date=2012-02-20 |lang=fr |archive-date=1 September 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180901025859/https://cloud.gouv.mc/webweb/Annuoff.nsf/(ListCh)/B7433860E52C08F9C12567C20033DFD7!OpenDocument |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Awards===
* IOC [[International Olympic Committee]]: Recipient of the [[Olympic Order|Gold Olympic Order]]<ref>{{cite web |website=Comité Olympique Monégasque |lang=en |url=http://www.comite-olympique.mc/index.php/en/history/a-few-dates |title=A few dates |access-date=19 April 2019 |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222112252/https://www.comite-olympique.mc/index.php/en/history/a-few-dates |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Arms and emblems==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| [[File:Great coat of arms of the house of Grimaldi.svg|253px]]<br />Coat of arms of Prince Rainier III<br />of Monaco
| [[File:Royal Monogram of Prince Rainier III of Monaco.svg|290px]]<br />Monogram of<br />Prince Rainier III
| [[File:Dual Cypher of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco.svg|200px]]<br />Dual cypher of Prince Rainier<br />
and Princess Grace
|}

==Ancestry==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center | ref=<ref>{{citation |last1=Louda |first1=Jiří |author-link1=Jiří Louda |last2=Maclagan |first2=Michael |author-link2=Michael Maclagan |year=1999 |orig-year=1981 |title=Lines of Succession: Heraldry of the Royal Families of Europe |edition=2nd |location=London |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=978-0-316-84820-6|page=115}}</ref>
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''Rainier III, Prince of Monaco'''
|2= 2. [[Prince Pierre, Duke of Valentinois]]
|3= 3. [[Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois]]
|4= 4. Count Maxence Melchior Édouard Marie Louis de Polignac
|5= 5. Susana Mariana Estefanía Francisca de Paula del Corazón de Jesús de la Torre y Mier
|6= 6. [[Louis II, Prince of Monaco]]
|7= 7. [[Marie Juliette Louvet]]
|8= 8. [[Count Charles de Polignac]]
|9= 9. Joséphine Le Normand de Morando
|10= 10. Isidoro Fernando de la Torre y Carsí
|11= 11. María Luisa de Mier y Celis
|12= 12. [[Albert I, Prince of Monaco]]
|13= 13. [[Lady Mary Victoria Douglas-Hamilton]]
|14= 14. Jacques Henri Louvet
|15= 15. Joséphine Elmire Piedefer
}}

== See also ==
* [[Prince Rainier Day]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*[http://www.palais.mc/ Prince's Palace, Monaco, official website]
*[http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=36333 Cardinal Ratzinger sends condolences to Monaco on Prince Rainier's death]
*[http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen5/f15_monaco.html The Monte Carlo Royal Palace – 360 degree QTVR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050413143649/http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen5/f15_monaco.html |date=13 April 2005 }}
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/royalty-obituaries/1487262/Prince-Rainier-III-of-Monaco.html Prince Rainier III of Monaco] – Daily Telegraph obituary

{{S-start}}
{{S-hou|[[House of Grimaldi]]|31 May|1923|6 April|2005}}
{{S-reg|}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Louis II, Prince of Monaco|Louis II]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[List of rulers of Monaco|Prince of Monaco]]|years=1949–2005}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert II]]}}
{{S-roy|mc}}
{{S-bef|rows=2|before=[[Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Valentinois|Charlotte]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Hereditary Prince of Monaco]]|years=1944–1949}}
{{S-vac|next=[[Princess Caroline of Monaco|Caroline]]}}
|-
{{S-ttl|title=[[Duke of Valentinois]]¹ <br><small>(''[[de facto]]'')</small>|years=1977–2005}}
{{S-aft|rows=2|after=[[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert II]]}}
|-
{{S-bef|before=[[Louis II, Prince of Monaco|Louis II]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Marquis of Baux]]|years=1944–1958}}
{{s-ref|Title extinct in 1949.}}

{{Monegasque princes}}
{{Princes of Monaco}}
{{Caroline, Princess of Hanover}}
{{Princess Stéphanie of Monaco}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rainier 03 of Monaco, Prince}}
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:2005 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century princes of Monaco]]
[[Category:21st-century princes of Monaco]]
[[Category:Sciences Po alumni]]
[[Category:Burials at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate]]
[[Category:Deaths from kidney failure]]
[[Category:Marquesses of Baux]]
[[Category:House of Grimaldi]]
[[Category:Monegasque International Olympic Committee members]]
[[Category:People educated at Stowe School]]
[[Category:Monegasque philatelists]]
[[Category:Alumni of Institut Le Rosey]]
[[Category:Monegasque princes]]
<!-- Orders and honours -->
[[Category:Grand Masters of the Order of Saint-Charles]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Saint-Charles]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Saint-Charles]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Grimaldi]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Grimaldi]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of Cultural Merit (Monaco)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of George I]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of José Matías Delgado]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de guerre (Belgium)]]
<!-- Member of the * Collar of Merit of the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]
* Knight Grand Cross of the [[Equestrian Order of Saint-Martin]]
* Knight Grand Cross of the [[Military Order of Saint-Jacques of the Sword]]
[[Category:Knights of the Royal Order of the Seraphim]]
*Lebanese Medal of Merit -->
[[Category:Recipients of the Olympic Order]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Philately of Monaco]]
[[Category:Polignac family]]
[[Category:Monegasque Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of English descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Monegasque people of German descent]]
[[Category:Free French military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Dukes of Mayenne]]
[[Category:Dukes of Valentinois]]