Albert II (born 1958) is the reigning Prince of Monaco, heir to Rainier III and the dazzling Hollywood film actress Grace Kelly. His turbulent personal life did not leave the pages of the world tabloids for many years. Now he is known as a loving husband and exemplary father. An avid athlete, a brilliant diplomat, an active philanthropist - this person is surprisingly versatile, and all his merits can hardly be listed. Let's find out what was the path of Prince Albert II to the throne, and also recall some interesting points regarding his life. Moreover, this experience can help you look at your problems from a different angle and understand that there is always room for good endings in life.
Biography
Prince Albert II of Monaco was born on March 14, 1958 in the country's capital, the ancient city of Monaco-Ville. The boy received his education at the Albert I Lyceum and graduated with excellent results in 1976. After that, he completed a one-year course in various princely affairs and became a student at Amherst College, located in Massachusetts. After studying there for five years, Albert II became a bachelor of political science. After graduation, he served two years on the French warship Jeanne d'Arc aslieutenant. He also did internships for some time in large private companies in America and France.
As Crown Prince, Albert showed a particular interest in humanitarian issues, as well as charitable activities. During the last years of the government, Rainier III, his father, entrusted some of his duties to Albert. However, the Prince of Monaco began to help his parent in this in his youth. Thus, Albert II was perfectly prepared for the assumption of the throne.
March 7, 2005 Rainier III was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Cardiology Center due to heart failure. And on the last day of the month, Crown Prince Albert II was appointed Regent. On April 6, after the death of his 81-year-old father, he became the ruler of Monaco. And in November of the same year, his coronation took place.
Prince Albert II of Monaco bears the title of His Serene Highness. He also has a huge number of high awards and is a holder of many orders. In fairness, it should be noted that the monarch got them not so much because of his title, but for services to his homeland and the European community.
Heavy personal life
Until the age of fifty, the Prince of Monaco was a convinced bachelor and did not even think about marriage. He was constantly credited with love relationships with film actresses, models, athletes. The tabloid publications closely watched the novels of the prince and tracked each passion. Companions of Albert II in different years were called Naomi Campbell, Sharon Stone, Gwyneth P altrow. Truly windy anda fickle cavalier was Albert II, Prince of Monaco. Photos of his many chosen ones now and then flashed in the press. In 2001, the prince announced his engagement to American film actress Angie Eckhart. The press wrote that the son followed in the footsteps of his father. However, their relationship did not last too long.
The prince has two illegitimate children: a daughter and a son, born of different mothers. He officially recognized them, but they have no rights to the princely throne. This is due to the new laws of the country.
Monaco succession issues
The laws of the state until 2002 did not prescribe the rules of succession to the throne in the event that the prince has no children from a legal marriage. However, due to such inconstancy of Albert, they had to be changed in order for the ruling dynasty to retain the throne. Currently, Monaco has accepted the birthright with male preference. This means that if Albert had not had legitimate children, his elder sister Caroline would have become the heir to the throne, and then her son. Thus, no matter how frivolous Albert II, the Prince of Monaco, may be in his personal life, children born not from a legal spouse cannot have absolutely no rights to the throne.
Note that currently the Crown Prince of Monaco is the son of Prince Albert - Jacques.
Family
In the summer of 2010, the prince announced his engagement to Charlene Wittstock, and a year later they were married. What do we know about the chosen one of Albert II? She is twenty years younger than the prince. From early childhood, Charlenefond of swimming. At the age of eighteen, the girl won national competitions in this sport, and also participated in the Sydney Olympics. After that, she arrived in Monaco, where she met with Albert II.
Their relationship did not develop rapidly, on the contrary, the prince continued to start relationships with other women. The romance between Albert II and Charlene began only in 2006. And a year later, the girl was forced to leave the big sport due to an injury, and the prince invited her to Monaco.
Wedding ceremony
Their wedding has become one of the most magnificent and solemn ceremonies of the century. It was planned as a grand celebration for all residents of Monaco. At least a thousand invited guests, three public holidays, attracting a huge number of people - this is how Albert II conceived it. Photos and videos of the ceremony show that the celebration really succeeded: it was as luxurious as it was exquisite, and ended with magnificent fireworks. The bride and groom were delightful: he was in a white dress uniform of a carabinieri, she was in a charming silk dress with a twenty-meter train from Giorgio Armani. The wedding took place the morning after the civil ceremony.
And on December 10 last year, Albert II and Charlene Wittstock became parents: the princess gave her chosen one charming twins: Jacques and Gabriella. Two weeks later, the family organized the first photo session of the kids, and when the children were not even a month old, they first came out.
Spouses love dearlyeach other and work together selflessly for the benefit of the principality.
Passion for sports
The Prince of Monaco is passionate about sports from an early age. Most of all he is fond of football, swimming, tennis. Interestingly, the prince competed five times in the Olympic Games for the national team of his country, taking part in bobsleigh competitions. In 1985, Albert fought for first place in the Dakar Rally. But, unfortunately, he had to leave the distance. The reason was the malfunction of his car. He is also the patron of the AS Monaco football club.
Prince Albert II of Monaco is a member of the IOC and has been head of the country's National Olympic Committee for 11 years. For many years he has been the president of numerous sports federations (including swimming and modern pentathlon) and personally controls the holding of some competitions in the principality, for example, the annual athletics competitions.
Cooperation with the UN
Prince Albert II cooperates fruitfully with the UN. He managed to achieve the trust and recognition of this organization. The evidence is that he was chosen as the patron of the Year of the Dolphin in 2006 and entrusted with the official grand opening of it. Albert II takes part in many UN humanitarian and social initiatives.
Prince's environmental activities
Albert II organizes various events aimed at protecting the environment and combating environmental pollution. He considers this area extremely important for the development of the state. howstates the reigning prince, everyone should contribute to the care of the environment and be responsible for solving environmental problems, even at the household level.
Charity and cultural activities of the prince
Continuing the glorious traditions of his parents, Prince Albert II pays much attention to charity events. He participates in all sorts of actions and missions, both in Monaco and outside the Principality.
Albert II serves as Vice President of the Foundation, established by Princess Grace in 1964. This organization, first of all, provides patronage to gifted dancers, musicians, artists.
Every year she awards scholarships to talented young people. In addition, the Foundation participates in charitable activities, both within the Principality and internationally. First of all, assistance is provided to children suffering from certain diseases. The Foundation helps them organize all-round leisure: arranges creative workshops, studios, children's theaters. In addition, assistance is provided in various medical research.
Interestingly, Prince Albert II of Monaco is acting as Honorary President of the International Napoleonic Society founded twenty years ago.
Humanitarian activities
The ruler of Monaco is actively involved in various humanitarian activities. In 1982, he was appointed head of the Red Cross of the Principality. Today it oversees international aid programs interritory of the country.
With the participation of Albert, humanitarian actions are also carried out in other states: Romania, India, Brazil. At the same time, His Grace himself travels to the places where they are held. So, for example, he visited places that suffered from the terrible tsunami that happened in Thailand on December 26, 2004.
Interesting facts
- Albert became the first acting monarch to visit the North Pole.
- According to the press, when the hero of our story was a participant in the Olympics, he refused any privileges and settled with the rest of the athletes, without emphasizing his origin at all.
- Shortly before the prince's wedding, information appeared in the press that the bride was going to run away from the crown. The reason was the appearance of the third illegitimate child of Albert. However, in the end it turned out that these were just idle conjectures of the tabloid media. Later, Charlene herself commented on these rumors, calling them ridiculous and ridiculous.
- The reigning Prince of Monaco is considered one of the richest people in the world. Today, his capital is estimated at more than one billion dollars. It includes houses and lands located in France and Monaco.
- For the second year in a row, he leads the ranking of the most beautiful men on the planet according to the famous edition of Glam Magazine.
When Prince Albert II ascended the throne, Monaco was a prosperous and prosperous state with centuries-old traditions and a happypeople. And, thanks to his tireless efforts, it remains so to this day. Stormy romantic adventures did not prevent him from creating a strong and happy family and showing himself to be a brilliant ruler who cares about the prosperity of his principality and its people.
