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DOSSIER SPÉCIAL

Prince Rainier III Centenary by Milena Radoman

Rainier III was born 100 years ago. A series of events is planned to pay tribute throughout the year
to the “Builder Prince”v.

On 31 May 2023, Prince Rainier would have the historical Grimaldi family home since 1854, Prince Rainier in Pictures
turned 100 and to celebrate the centenary of the his life-long refuge,” explain Thomas Fouilleron • The Builder Prince: An Ambition For Monaco
longest-reigning prince of the Grimaldi dynasty (56 and Vincent Vatrican, respectively Director of - 20 July to 31 December 2023. This exhibition,
years), Monaco has organised a series of events the Palace Archives and Director of Monaco’s created by the great connoisseur of high
throughout this year. “It’s a tribute to everything Audiovisual Institute. society, Stéphane Bern, shows how Rainier III
he did for our country that we still enjoy today. Contemplating these photos of everyone from permanently transformed the face of his state
It is also an opportunity to introduce him to a General de Gaulle to Nelson Mandela, via Frank and includes scale models, plans, photographs
and unpublished documents.
Sinatra, Léopold Sédar Senghor, Queen Sofia of
new generation so they may understand that
© Depositphotos/chrupka everything we see today in Monaco, everything Spain and Princess Anne of England as a child, • The Prince And His Animals – at Monaco
we travel through the tumultuous history of the
Jardin Animalier Zoo until 31 December 2023. A
that benefits us, both socially and on a building
20 century as we stroll through the halls of the
great animal-lover, Prince Rainier III created the
and construction level, started with him and his
th
vision of things,” underlines Princess Stéphanie,
President of the Centenary Commemorations centuries-old palace…Some shots are particularly Zoological Acclimatisation Centre of Monaco
in 1954. A selection of unpublished archive
touching, such as this almost life-size portrait
Committee. Various events highlight the role of of the prince winking facetiously at the lens; images of the sovereign show the evolution
the Builder Prince in the urbanisation of the city or those of Rainier III riding his son’s scooter of the park.
(with the creation of Larvotto, Fontvieille and the at Easter and carrying two inflatable Father • Prince Rainier III: A Rose Garden Tribute To
floating breakwater). “The ‘Builder’ moniker did Christmases that he was going to give to his His Wife - at the Princess Grace Rose Garden
not just refer to construction but also to what children, “giving off a far from princely image,” until January 2024. Exhibition of photos of the
he was able to do in Monaco and for Monaco: as the photographer, Howell Conant, reports; but creation of the collection of roses dedicated
the new Constitution, the social model, the on this point, Grace and Rainier were in perfect to the Grimaldi family in Fontvieille.
nationalisation of the SBM, the Red Cross...He agreement: not to let their high position prevent • Prince Rainier III: Sailor At Heart - at the
is the builder of the Principality’s image, of its them from being themselves. Yacht Club de Monaco until 31 December 2023.
international commitment, in particular with Until 20 August 2023 – State Apartments of
Monaco’s membership of the UN. Nothing was the Prince’s Palace
more important to him than allowing Monaco to
have credibility and an impact on the international
scene,” adds the princess.

Private Prince
One event in particular stands out: the exhibition,
Le Prince Chez Lui (The Prince At Home), which
brings together rare archive pictures taken in
the state apartments of the prince’s palace.
The exhibition curators, Thomas Fouilleron
and Vincent Vatrican, have chosen shots of the
prince that perfectly portray the statesman, going
through paperwork with his advisors; but also
the shy young man and the father of a family,
sometimes donning his overalls to indulge in his
passion for wrought iron sculpture: we are able
to savour some of the prince’s precious, private
moments at the palace. Each princely residence
corresponds to the different stages of his life:
“The Palace of Monaco where he was born and
grew up until his studies and the tumult of war;
the Villa Iberia in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, where Défilé de voitures anciennes, conduites par la famille princière, inauguration d’expositions, lâcher de 100 colombes, animations © Palais Princier de Monaco - F. Nebinger
the bachelor prince lived until his marriage to de rues… Les célébrations du centenaire de Rainier III, orchestrées par le regretté Albert Croesi, ont commencé par une fête
populaire sur le Rocher.
Grace Kelly; the Rocagel house he built for his Parade of old cars, driven by the princely family, inauguration of exhibitions, release of 100 doves, street entertainment... The
family; and finally the Château de Marchais, celebrations of the centenary of Rainier III, orchestrated by the late Albert Croesi, began with a popular festival on the Rock.

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