Monaco on Death Watch for Prince Rainier

FOXNews/AP ^ | March 24, 2005

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Monaco on Death Watch for Prince Rainier

Thursday, March 24, 2005

MONACO — Hooked to a respirator, Prince Rainier III (search) of Monaco was being treated for cardiac and kidney failure at a seaside clinic in the tiny Mediterranean enclave that he transformed into a glitzy resort for the rich.

Throughout Monaco, Rainier's subjects braced for what they feared could be the final days of a man many revere as a father figure. On Thursday, Rainier was spending his third day in intensive care at a hospital with a view of his hilltop palace.

"Monaco became Monaco thanks to him. I think of him like a second grandfather," said Sandrine Negre, 22, out strolling with friends near the hospital. "This really hurts me."

Rainier's heir, Crown Prince Albert (search), 47, was seen entering the hospital Thursday for a visit. Rainier's two daughters, Princess Caroline (search), 48, and Princess Stephanie (search), 40, also were seen paying calls.

A medical bulletin from the royal palace Wednesday described the ailing prince's condition as "stable."

[CyberAnt]

Well .. are they keeping him alive artificially ..?? If so - why don't they just let him starve to death - it's so peaceful and euphoric .. why would anyone deny that to people ..??

I don't need this [/s] do I ..??

[CzarNicky]

Only because there is no yellow.

[ZeitgeistSurfer]

Sorry to hear about the Prince. However, no one should cry over Monaco. As a country it serves three functions:

(1) Laundering money and sheltering it from EU taxation;
(2) A meeting ground for connecting rich, fat Sardinian gangsters with blond Russian "Natashas"; and
(3) Fleecing said Sardinian gangsters of their money in two-bit gambling casinos.

Nice views of the Mediterranean on the plus side.

[Steve_Seattle]

Time flies - I remember when I was an F1 fan back in the 60's, I'd see Prince Rainier up there on the podium after the Monaco GP with Graham Hill or Stirling Moss. But that was another era, a more graceful one . . .

[monday]

"I always wondered if Albert was gay. I think he is."

Only one problem with your theory. He has a reputation for being one of the biggest playboys on the French Riviera. The women love him and he loves them back.

[monday]

"I seem to remember something about the fact that if there is no offspring of the ruling prince, the whole country, slot machines, roulette wheels and all, reverts back to the control of France."

True, but Albert could adopt his nephew, Caroline's son, and name him successor, or Rainer could name Caroline his successor. She has four children.

Then as last resort, there is Stephanie. She has two or three kids too. No chance Monaco will be reverting to France any time soon.

[foolscap]

I think Princess Grace was the most beautiful royal bride I can remember. She beat Princess Di hands down.

[monday]

"What? No photos?"

Rainer and Grace



Albert, Grace, Caroline, Rainer



Caroline's oldest, Andrea and Charlotte Casaraghi

[BluH2o]

Monaco is intriguingly beautiful. First visited it nearly 40 years ago when I had the opportunity to watch the Grand Prix. Went back about 12 years ago, although there were some changes it was pretty much the way I remembered it, the most notable change was a new yacht basin just west of the old one. Monaco is a tax haven for wealthy Europeans who establish residency there, there are more Rolls Royce, Bentley's and other high end automobiles (not to mention lavish yachts) per capita than anywhere else in the world ... excepting perhaps some oil rich Persian Gulf state.

[cogitator]

One of his ex-girlfriends is Claudia Schiffer. If that's gay, I'm coming out of the closet right now.

[oilfieldtrash]

Claudia Schiffer was probably a beard.

[spectre]

An update on Fox News said he is "clinging to life on a respirator".

I'll never forget how heartbroken he was when Grace died. Don't think he ever got over it.

sw

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[IndyTiger]

I think Princess Grace was the most beautiful royal bride I can remember. She beat Princess Di hands down.

I agree. Grace Kelly was head and shoulders above Diana Spencer in looks, brains, and maturity.