Monarch of monaco. Ancestral curse of the princely family of Monaco. Charlene loses patience
April 17th, 2013
The rock of Monaco has been a refuge for primitive people since ancient times. Their traces were found in one of the caves of the Saint-Martin garden. Archaeologists attribute them to the late Paleolithic period (300 thousand years BC). Around 2000 BC. a tribe of Ligurs settled in this area. The ancient authors Strabo and Diodorus Siculus described them as harsh mountaineers, accustomed to hard work and full of deprivation of life.
Legends attribute the founding of Monaco to Hercules, whom the Phoenicians called Melkart, and the Romans called Hercules. It was believed that he landed in these places, returning from Spain, and built the first structures. According to his name, the city received the name "Portus Hercules Monoiki", which means "the port of the lonely (temple) of Hercules". It is known that in ancient times in the city that stood on the site of present-day Monaco, there really was a temple dedicated to Hercules. The Greek sailing route of Hecateus of Miletus mentions a city called "Monoikos polis ligustic" - "The Ligurian city of Monoikos". There is an assumption that in reality this name is of Ligurian origin, since the city served as a seaport of the Ligurian tribe of Oratells. Probably, later the name was changed, relying on the association with the "lonely Hercules".
Approximately from the X century BC. on the territory of Monaco there was a Phoenician fortification. It is believed that it was the Phoenicians who brought Middle Eastern palms to the Cote d'Azur. Later, the town was often visited by the Carthaginians, and in the XII-XIII centuries. BC. he is mentioned among the Greek colonies. One way or another, it was an important strategic point between Genoa and Massalia (modern-day Marseille).
In the II century. BC. the area was taken over by the Romans, who incorporated it into the Maritime Alps. In the port, Julius Caesar was loaded onto ships, setting off for the battle with Pompey. Through the city there was a road paved by the Romans to Marseille - "Via Julia", which for 500 years remained one of the main road arteries of the Roman state.
During the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian (III-IV centuries AD), a boat with the body of the executed Corsican Christian Devotus washed up on the shores of Monaco. Later, a church was built in his honor, and he himself was declared the patron saint of Monaco.
Since the 11th century, the Ligurian coast has been continuously raided by Arab pirates from North Africa. And in 975, the Muslims were finally expelled by Guillaume, Count of Provence. After which the coast began to belong to the Genoese Republic and began to be settled again.
There was a small fishing village on the site of Monaco. The German emperors Frederick Barbarossa (1152-1190) and Henry VI (1190-1197) recognized the stretch of the coast right up to present-day Monaco as the possession of Genoa (finally, in 1191).
-
Creation of the State of Monaco
On June 10, 1215, the Genoese adherents of the emperor (ghibellines), led by Fulco del Casello, appreciating the strategic importance of the Monaco rock and port, began to build a fortress with four towers on the site of the present princely palace. The castle replaced the fortification of the Muslims lying in ruins. The transfer of Monaco to Genoa was confirmed in 1220 and 1241 by the German emperor Frederick II (1212-1250), and in 1262 by the Count of Provence.
To attract new settlers, the founders provided them with substantial tax and land benefits. For the next three centuries, Monaco served as the object of a fierce struggle between the Ghibelline families of Doria and Spinola (supporters of the German emperors), as well as the Guelph families of Fieschi and Grimaldi (adherents of the popes), passing from hand to hand.
The founder of the Grimaldi family was considered Otto Canella, who was consul of Genoa in 1133. His son was named Grimaldi. In 1296, as a result of one of the civil wars in the Republic of Genoa, the Guelphs were expelled from Genoa and took refuge in Provence. Gathering a small army led by Francesco Grimaldi, on January 2, 1297, they took possession of the fortress of Monaco. According to the chronicle, the leader of the Guelphs disguised himself as a Franciscan monk and was allowed into the fortress by unsuspecting guards, after which he opened the gates to the armed soldiers.
This time, Grimaldi failed to gain a foothold in Monaco. In 1301, they lost the fortress and were able to return it only on September 12, 1331, when Karl Grimaldi took possession of the rock. In 1341 Charles I (1330-1363) conquered Monaco from the Spinola family. He enjoyed the support of the French kings, so he was able to take possession of Menton and Roquebrune. Charles's father and cousin Francesco, Rainier I was appointed Grand Admiral of France, who commanded the French fleet in the battle against the Flemings in 1304. Charles himself led the French king Philip VI (1328-1350) a detachment of crossbowmen who took part in the famous Battle of Crecy (1346), and his fleet took part in the siege of Calais. He later died during the capture of Monaco by the Genoese doge Simon Boccanegra. Charles's son, Rainier II (1363-1407), also in the French royal service, managed to keep only Menton (1346) and Roquebrune (1355), but in 1357 the Grimaldi lost their possessions. In 1395 they won them back, but in 1401 they lost them again.
Rainier II's children took back Monaco in 1419, and then divided the property among themselves. Thus, Jean I (1427-1454) became the sole lord of Monaco and Condamine. Having managed to free himself from the captivity of the Duke of Milan, he ruled his possessions until his death (1454).
Conflicts with Milan, Genoa and Savoy forced Grimaldi to seek patronage from neighboring states without giving up their independence. They managed to obtain such protection from Florence (1424), Savoy (1428) and Milan (1477). And in 1448, Jean I ceded half of Menton and Roquebrune to the Duke of Savoy in exchange for recognition of his rights to these territories. The son of Jean I Catalan (1454-1457) entered into an alliance with the French king and married his daughter to his relative Lambert, who later became the king's chamberlain. In 1489 Lambert managed to achieve recognition of Monaco's independence from the Duke of Savoy and the French king. The latter's support was bought at the cost of recognizing Savoy's suzerainty over 11/12 Menton in exchange for recognizing Grimaldian's feudal rights (this feudal oath was in effect until 1507).
Lambert's policy was continued by the sons Jean II and Lucien I (1505-1523). The latter reflected in 1506-1507. Genoese siege. The French king confirmed the sovereignty of Monaco in 1498 and 1507, promising patronage to its rulers. The patent of King Louis XII (1498-1515) of 1512 recognized Monaco as an independent possession, whose lord cannot be "in any way diminished or interfered with in his rights, jurisdiction, sovereignty, prerogatives" and enjoys the "special patronage" of the monarch of France. In 1515, this position was confirmed by the new king Francis I (1515-1547). However, in 1523, the ruler was killed by adherents of the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, supported by France. Having become a seigneur, Bishop Augustin, Lucien's brother, broke off relations with King Francis I and entered into an alliance with his main enemy in Europe - the German emperor and the Spanish king Charles V (1519-1556). According to the Treaty of Burgos (1524), Monaco came under the patronage of Spain. It became the imperial fief, whose ruler had to take the feudal oath. Later, at the request of the lord of Monaco, this agreement was changed: the new agreement (November 1524) no longer contained a mention of the imperial fief.
Under the auspices of Spain
The union with Spain has put a heavy burden on the economy of Monaco. The Spanish garrison, located in Monaco by agreement of 1605, was maintained exclusively at the expense of the inhabitants of this state.
After the death of Augustin due to the minority of the children of Lucien I, the country was temporarily ruled by Etienne Grimaldi from Genoa. He scrupulously observed the treaty with Spain, but at the same time tried to strengthen the autonomy of Monaco. The reign of Lucien's son Honore I (1523-1581) was quite calm. His children Hercules I (1589-1604) and Charles II (1581-1589) continued the same policy. They focused on the administration of the estates assigned to them by Charles V in southern Italy. In 1604, Hercules was killed by conspirators.
Until 1616, the regency under the son of the murdered ruler Honore I was carried out by his uncle, Prince Frederic de Valdetard. In 1612, he persuaded his nephew to accept a new title - "lord and prince of Monaco." Since 1619, the Monaco monarch began to be called a prince. This title was recognized by the Spanish court and became hereditary.
Taking power into his own hands, the young prince gradually reoriented his policy to France. The negotiations, which began in 1630, lasted more than 10 years, with the prince receiving support from the first French minister, Richelieu. In 1635, another Franco-Spanish war began, and in 1640 an uprising against Spain broke out in Catalonia, the participants of which called on France for help. In this ominous atmosphere, on September 14, 1641 in Peronne, the Monaco ruler and the French king Louis XIII (1610-1643) signed a treaty, according to which Monaco was recognized as a free and sovereign principality under the protectorate of France, and the prince was obliged to command the French military garrison.
Under the protectorate of the French king
A few months after the conclusion of the treaty, the prince armed his followers, and with their help forced the Spanish garrison of the fortress to surrender. In 1642, Honoré II was solemnly received by the French court. Instead of his lost possessions in Naples, earlier donated by the Monaco seigneur Charles V, the prince received others - on French soil: the viscountry of Charles in Auvergne, the Duchy of Valentinois and the Marquisate of Beaux, together with the seigneur of Saint-Remy in Provence. At court he was patronized by the first minister, Cardinal Mazarin, and King Louis XIV (1643-1715) became the godfather of his grandson, the future Prince Louis I.
According to the Treaty of Pyrenees of 1659, the prince of Monaco was supposed to get back all his possessions in Naples and Milan, but he gave them up in favor of the French king, who handed them over to the Duke of Lanti.
Clickable 5000 px
Honoré II minted his own coin. He did a lot to decorate the city and especially the princely palace, where he collected a huge collection of pieces of furniture, paintings, valuables, etc. Monaco has hosted sumptuous ballet performances, festivities, balls and magnificent religious ceremonies. After the death of Honore II, his grandson Louis I (1662-1701) ascended the princely throne, with whose name the construction of a number of monumental buildings of the country is associated. He published a relatively liberal collection of laws. The Monaco cavalry led by the prince fought on the side of France and Holland in Flanders and Franche-Comte during the war against the British. When the problem of Spanish succession arose, in 1698 Louis XIV appointed Louis I as his ambassador to the papal court, instructing him to obtain support from the Pope as a French candidate for the Spanish throne. While in Rome, he squandered much of the wealth collected by his grandfather. In 1701, the prince died in Rome.
His son Prince Antoine (1701-1731) moved in the circles of the highest French aristocracy, kept in touch with the future regent - the Duke of Orleans. He achieved considerable heights in the French army, participating in many battles. Antoine restored and fortified the princely palace, where he organized magnificent festivities. The prince was fond of music, conducted his own orchestra and corresponded with prominent French composers: André Detouch, François Couprin and others. The close ties of Monaco with France, despite the neutrality of the principality, made them fear the invasion of the troops of the Duke of Savoy in 1707, and the prince began building new fortifications. The military threat was eliminated only after the conclusion of the Utrecht Peace in 1713.
With the death of Antoine, the male line of the Grimaldi dynasty was cut short. The daughter of Prince Louise-Hippolyta ruled the state for only a few months, and then power passed to her husband Jacques-François de Matignon, proclaimed by Jacques I (1731-1733). In 1733, he handed over the throne to his son Honore III (1733-1793). The new prince, like his predecessors, served in the French army, taking part in hostilities on the Rhine, Flanders and the Netherlands, for which in 1748 he received the rank of marshal.
During the War of the Austrian Succession in 1746-1747. Monaco was blocked by Austrian and Sardinian troops. They were driven back by the French forces under the command of Marshal de Belle-Ile. The subsequent reign of Honoré III was not overshadowed by conflicts. The principality's economy flourished, and the standard of living of the population grew, despite the country's scarce natural resources. Monaco's main source of income was maritime trade and the collection of duties on ships bound for Italy. The prince, who possessed vast estates in Auvergne, Valentinois, Provence and Normandy, also acquired land in Alsace.
Period of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars
All the possessions of the Monaco prince in France were lost after the French Constituent Assembly abolished feudal law on the night of August 4, 1789. Initially, the assembly upheld the Treaty of Peronne and even intended to compensate the prince for the loss of his property, estimated at 273,786 francs, but after the overthrow of the French king in 1792, this project was abandoned. Honore III's references to the Treaty of Peronne did not help, and by the time the prince died in 1795, the financial well-being of the dynasty had already been undermined.
In Monaco itself, a struggle broke out between two parties, one of which advocated the preservation of the sovereignty of the principality, and the other demanded, first of all, the creation of a system of representative government. As a result, the second game was victorious. In January 1793, a National Convention was elected, which soon announced the overthrow of the Grimaldi dynasty.
The entry of French troops into Nice hastened the formation of the new regime. On February 15, 1793, the French Convention decided to unite the principality with France. Monaco, renamed Fort Hercule, formed a canton within the French Republic, and then became its administrative center (later the center was moved to San Remo). All the wealth collected in the prince's palace was confiscated: paintings and works of art were sold out, and the palace itself turned into a barracks, and then into a hospital and a shelter for the poor. Most of the members of the princely family (including Honore III), some of whom served in the French army, were arrested, later released, but were forced to sell almost all of their property.
Clickable panorama 6000px
The situation changed after the abdication of the French emperor Napoleon. The First Peace of Paris on May 30, 1814 restored the borders of the principality, which had existed before January 1, 1792, under the French protectorate.
Honore IV, son of Honore III, became prince, but due to poor health, he ceded the throne to his brother Joseph. The son of the abdicated prince Honoré-Gabriel rebelled against this decision and persuaded his father to transfer power to him. In March 1815 Honoré IV (1815-1819) went to Monaco, but, having arrived in Cannes, he was arrested by the landing Napoleonic troops and taken to Napoleon.
After the final collapse of the Empire, according to the second Paris Treaty of November 20, 1815, the principality was under the protectorate of the Sardinian kingdom.
The treaty between Monaco and the Sardinian king Victor Emmanuel I was signed at Stupinigi on November 8, 1817. It was even less favorable for the principality than the treaty with France in force before the French Revolution. The principality's finances were in a deplorable state, the country's resources were noticeably reduced, and the communes, parishes and hospitals owed large sums.
After the death of Honore IV, power passed to his son Honore V (1819-1841), to whom in 1810 Napoleon conferred the title of baron, and the regime of the Restoration - the title of peerage of France. The new prince took steps to overcome the crisis. But his tough policies were met with popular discontent and protest demonstrations, especially in 1833 in Menton. After the death of Honoré V, power passed to his brother Florestan I (1841-1856), a great fan of literature and theater, who was completely unprepared to rule the state. Most of the issues were resolved by his wife Caroline, who temporarily managed to soften the discontent caused by the decrees of Honoré V. But the relaxation of tension did not last long, and soon Florestan and Carolina again tightened their policy, hoping in this way to return the prosperity to the principality.
Meanwhile, in Menton, demands for independence were heard louder and louder. The inhabitants of the city sought the adoption of a liberal constitution, like the one introduced by King Charles Albert in the Kingdom of Sardinia. They vehemently rejected the constitution proposed by Florestan. After the 1848 revolution in France, the situation became even more aggravated. Florestan and Carolina transferred power to their son Charles, but it was too late: uprisings began, Prince Florestan was overthrown, arrested and imprisoned, and the princely rule was abolished. However, in 1849 Florestan was restored to the throne.
On March 20, 1848, Menton and Roquebrune, officially remaining fiefs of Sardinia and Savoy, proclaimed themselves independent cities "under Sardinian patronage." On May 1, 1849, the authorities of the Kingdom of Sardinia issued a decree on their annexation to the district of Nice. The princes of Monaco Florestan and Charles III (1856-1889) did not manage to regain these territories.
In March 1860, in gratitude for the military assistance provided by the French emperor Napoleon III in the unification of Italy, the Kingdom of Sardinia ceded Savoy and the County of Nice to France, including Roquebrune and Menton. On July 18, 1860, Sardinia withdrew its troops from Monaco, ending the protectorate.
According to the treaty of February 2, 1861 between Prince Charles III and Napoleon III, Monaco renounced all rights to Menton and Roquebrune in favor of France, for which it received compensation in the amount of 4 million francs. The treaty officially recognized the independence of the principality of Monaco, but at the same time it was reduced to 1/20 of the former area. In accordance with the unpublished additional articles of the treaty, Monaco pledged not to transfer parts of its territory to another power other than France.
Principality before World War II
Reduced in size and deprived of resources, Monaco was in an extremely difficult financial and economic situation. It was impossible to further increase taxes. Back in the 1850s, the authorities planned to improve matters by opening a casino, but the gambling house of the French entrepreneur Durand soon closed due to lack of transport links and lack of competitiveness. The merchant Lefebvre, who bought the company, was also unable to get the business going.
After several attempts to revive trade, Charles III and his mother, Caroline, decided to form a company called the Sea Bathing Society. The concession for the creation of a gambling house was sold to the banker François Blanusa 1.7 million francs, who earlier headed a gambling house in Hamburg. The term of his license was 50 years. Blanc was able to organize a casino, the turnover of which soon exceeded the most optimistic expectations. The hotels, theater and casino, built by the "Society of Sea Bathing", from the very beginning began to attract crowds of tourists to the principality.
In 1865, Monaco and France signed a convention establishing a customs union. At the same time, the prince reserved the right to conclude international treaties and agreements. The parties agreed to build a railway line on the territory of Monaco. Since 1868, after the railway line between Nice and Ventimiglia went into operation, the number of tourists has increased even more. In 1870 the country was visited by 140 thousand people, and in 1907 - already more than 1 million (at that time there were 52 hotels in the principality).
The economic progress of Monaco was accompanied by the expansion of urban development. The Spelyug quarter was quickly built up with luxury hotels and prestigious buildings. In 1866 it was renamed in honor of the prince - Monte Carlo. In 1869, an opera opened in Monte Carlo, which gained worldwide fame under the direction of the famous conductor Raoul Gainsbourg. During the reign of Charles III, train stations were built in Monaco and Monte Carlo, a post office was organized, the first postage stamps of the principality were issued and gold coins began to be minted. A separate bishopric was created in Monaco. In 1881, the civil code was enacted.
The population grew very quickly: in 1870, only 1,500 people lived in the principality. In 1888, this number increased to 10,000, and in 1907 - to 16,000.
The foreign policy activity of the principality also developed. In 1866-1905. Monaco has signed treaties on the extradition of criminals with Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Switzerland, Great Britain, Austria-Hungary, Denmark, as well as a convention on cooperation in the legal field with France, Italy, Belgium. The Principality signed multilateral agreements: the Paris (1883) and Berne (1886) conventions, the Madrid agreement (1891). It appointed ambassadors and diplomatic representatives to France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, as well as to the papal court.
Prince Albert I (1889-1922), famous for his scientific research in the fields of oceanography, paleontology, anthropology and botany, founded the Institute of Oceanography in Paris with the famous Oceanographic Museum in Monaco (opened in 1910), the International Peace Institute (1903). ) and "Exotic Garden". He also contributed to the development of the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology in Monaco and other research institutions.
In 1911, the prince approved the constitution of the Principality of Monaco, according to which the monarch had very broad powers, but shared legislative power with the National Council, elected by universal suffrage. In October 1914, the constitution was suspended.
Albert I patronized the development of art and culture: magnificent performances were staged at the Monaco Opera, the famous seasons of Russian ballet were held. According to the convention of 1912, French troops could enter the territory of the principality only at the preliminary request of the prince. In 1914, Albert I tried in vain to dissuade the German emperor from starting hostilities in the First World War. His son Louis served in the French army and was promoted to general during the First World War.
Officially, Monaco remained neutral in the First World War, but France feared that the principality might fall under the influence of the Germans, since the heir Louis was not married, and the prince's cousin Duke Wilhelm von Urach was a German citizen. On July 17, 1918, Monaco had to sign a treaty with France, which entered into force on June 23, 1919. The French Republic recognized and guaranteed the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the principality. The principality was obliged to act "in accordance with the political, military, maritime and economic interests of France" and coordinate foreign policy with her. Only Monaco and French citizens approved by the French government could become heirs or regents of Monaco. In the event of the termination of the princely dynasty, Monaco had to form an autonomous state under the protectorate of France. The French army and navy received the right to occupy Monaco, even without the consent of the prince.
In 1918, a political crisis erupted in the country: the National Council refused to recognize the legality of a daughter born out of wedlock from the heir to the heir Louis. On October 30, 1918, the authorities issued an ordinance allowing the heir to adopt or adopt children in the absence of their own legal descendants.
Modern Monaco
The grandson of Louis II, Prince Rainier III, who took the throne in 1949, contributed to the development of the principality's economy, scientific research, sports and culture. While retaining the traditional image of a luxury tourist destination and a gambling paradise (in 1973, casino revenues accounted for only 5% of the budget), the country has become a business, industrial and cultural center. Due to the drainage of areas of the sea, the area of the state during his reign increased by 1/5. In 1981, the city of Fontvieille was founded on the territory reclaimed from the sea to the west of the Monaco Rock. Currently, it is planned to extend the area where the Monaco Rock is located far out to sea, and significantly expand the territory of Monte Carlo. The developed areas will be built up: it is planned to create an underground railway and a station there. In the field of economics, measures were taken to modernize the tourism infrastructure, develop the hotel business and facilities for holding international meetings and congresses. Large-scale work was carried out in the country for the construction of port facilities, an underground railway, reconstruction and expansion of the hospital, administrative buildings, urban infrastructure, tunnels and parking lots. A new stadium and water stadium was built, as well as an airport for helicopters.
In 1966, the Monegasque state decided to tighten control over the most important source of income - the "Sea Bathing Society". Threatening to nationalize the casino, it bought most of the company's shares.
New education laws have improved compulsory schooling. They began to build new schools, take measures to develop sports and culture. The prince established prizes for writers and composers, opened the palace for concerts of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte Carlo. The princely family patronized the organization of art festivals and ballet performances. In 1954, the Monte Carlo television station began operating, and since 1961 the International Television Festival has been held. Scientific research began to develop: a Scientific Center, a laboratory for marine radioactivity, a center for underwater resources of the sea, etc. were opened in the principality.
In foreign policy, emphasis was placed on maintaining close relations with France: the French presidents and the Prince of Monaco have repeatedly exchanged official visits. In 1951, both countries signed a convention on good-neighborliness and mutual assistance in the field of customs duties, postal services, taxes, television. However, the topic of taxes caused friction in relations between states. France sought to return to its budget taxes on capital settled in Monaco. On May 18, 1963, after Monaco refused to make changes in the field of taxation and the establishment of French customs cordons on the border with the principality, a new Franco-Monaco convention was signed in Paris, which provided for the introduction of income tax in the principality on the basis of French taxation. But citizens of Monaco, the French who have lived in the country for more than 5 years, and companies in whose capital the share of Monegasque investments exceeded 25% were exempted from the tax.
Ruler Monaco Prince Albert II, Marquis de Beaux
Coat of arms of Monaco
In the late 1990s, Monaco was increasingly accused of becoming an international offshore money-laundering hub. In 2000, a commission of the French National Assembly presented a report and recommended that French banking control be extended to Monaco. Parliamentarians argued that the number of fake firms registered in Monaco had reached 6,000 by 1998, and 49 banks had 340,000 accounts, with 2/3 of the owners living abroad. It was argued that the justice of the principality, dependent on the princely house, did not take any measures to suppress the situation.
On October 24, 2002, as a result of three years of negotiations between Monaco and France, a new treaty was signed, replacing the 1918 treaty. He confirmed the "traditional friendship" of the two countries, the French guarantees of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the principality, as well as the obligation of Monaco to exercise its sovereignty in accordance with the "fundamental interests of the French Republic in the spheres of politics, economy, security and defense" and to coordinate its foreign politics. Monaco has the right to open diplomatic missions abroad or transfer the representation of its interests to France. The provisions on the possibility of changing the order of succession to the throne and the introduction of French troops were formulated much softer than in 1918. The text of the treaty indicated only that the territory of Monaco was "inalienable", and that France should be notified of the change in succession to the throne, and French troops could enter the territory of Monaco only with the consent of the prince or at his request (except in cases where sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity are threatened, but the normal functioning of the government is interrupted).
Rainier III tightly controlled the political life of the principality. In 1950, the authorities banned the activities of the Communist Party. Until 1958, the National Democratic Accord bloc, a coalition of the Radical Socialist Party and the Monaco Democratic Party, won the elections to the National Council, and in 1958 it was overtaken by the National Union of the Independent. In January 1959, the National Council was dissolved, and in 1911, the constitution was suspended. In January 1961, the prince approved the new composition of the parliament. And on December 17, 1962, the country received a new constitution, confirming the extensive powers of the monarch. Legislative power belonged to the prince and the elected National Council, and executive power belonged to the Government Council, consisting of a minister of state and three councilors. At the same time, the head of the Government Council had to be a citizen of France and was appointed by the prince from among three candidates recommended by the French president. Parliament did not have the right to control the actions of the government, and to come up with legislative initiatives. In 1963, women in Monaco were given the right to vote. The elections to the National Council in 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 1998 were invariably won by the National Democratic Union (NDU) party, formed by the merger of the National Union of the Independent and the National Democratic Accord. As a result of the 1998 elections, the VAT received over 67% of the votes and all 18 seats in the National Council. The opposition parties National Union for the Future of Monaco and Union for the Monegasque Family received 23% and 9% of the votes, respectively.
Someday global warming will cause glaciers to melt and all land will go under water. It would seem that humanity is doomed to extinction (at least until the gills grow back), but Vincent Callebaut, who designed giant island ships on which people can survive, did not agree with this.
Project ship with the street of Monaco
Albert II (born 1958) is the reigning prince of Monaco, heir to Rainier III and the dazzling Hollywood film actress Grace Kelly. His stormy personal life has not left the pages of world tabloids for many years. Now he is known as a loving husband and an exemplary father. An avid athlete, a brilliant diplomat, an active philanthropist - this person is surprisingly versatile, and all his merits can hardly be enumerated. Let's find out what was the path of Prince Albert II to the throne, as well as recall some interesting moments concerning his life. Moreover, this experience can help you look at your problems from a different angle and understand that there is always a place in life for good endings.
Biography
Prince Albert II of Monaco was born on March 14, 1958 in the capital of the country - the ancient city of Monaco-Ville. The boy received his education at the Lyceum of Albert I and graduated with excellent results in 1976. After that, he completed a year's course in various princely affairs and became a student of Amherst, a college located in Massachusetts. After studying there for five years, Albert II became a bachelor of political science. After graduation, he served for two years on the French naval ship Jeanne d'Arc as a lieutenant, and for some time did an internship in large private companies in America and France.
As the crown prince, Albert showed particular interest in humanitarian issues, as well as charitable events. In the last years of governing the country, Rainier III, his father, entrusted some of his duties to Albert. However, he began to help his parent in this in his youth. Thus, Albert II was excellently prepared for accepting the throne.
On March 7, 2005, Rainier III ended up in 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.
Stormy personal life
Until the age of fifty, the Prince of Monaco was a convinced bachelor and did not even think about getting married. He was constantly credited with love relationships with film actresses, models, athletes. The tabloid publications closely watched the prince's novels and tracked every passion. Sharon Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow were called companions of Albert II in different years. Albert II, Prince of Monaco, was a truly windy and fickle gentleman. 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 his father's footsteps. However, their relationship did not last too long.
The prince has two daughters 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.
Succession to the throne in Monaco
Until 2002, the laws of the state did not prescribe the rules of succession to the throne in the event that the prince has no children from legal marriage. However, due to such inconstancy of Albert, they had to be changed in order for the ruling dynasty to retain the throne. At present, in Monaco, the birthright is accepted with the predominance of the male sex. This means that if Albert did not have legitimate children, his older sister Carolina would become the heir to the throne, and then her son. Thus, no matter how frivolous in his personal life Albert II, the prince of Monaco, children born not of a legal wife cannot have absolutely any rights to the throne.
Note that at present the Crown Prince of Monaco is the son of Prince Albert - Jacques.
Family
In the summer of 2010, the prince announced his betrothal to Charlene Wittstock, and a year later their marriage took place. What do we know about the chosen one of Albert II? She is twenty years younger than the prince. From early childhood, Charlene was fond 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 have relationships with other women. The romance of Albert II and Charlene began only in 2006. A year later, due to an injury, the girl was forced to leave the big sport, 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 testify that the celebration really succeeded: it was as luxurious as it was exquisite, and ended with a magnificent fireworks display. The bride and groom were delightful: he was in a white full dress carabinieri, she was in a charming silk dress with a twenty-meter train from the wedding. The wedding took place the morning after the civil ceremony.
And on December 10 of 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 for the kids, and when the children were not even a month old, they first came out.
The spouses love each other dearly and together selflessly work for the good of the principality.
Sportsmanship
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 played 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 But, unfortunately, he had to leave the distance. The cause was a malfunction of his car. He is also the patron saint of 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 supervises the holding of some competitions in the principality, for example, the annual athletics competitions.
Cooperation with the UN
Prince Albert II is fruitfully cooperating with the UN. He managed to gain the trust and recognition of this organization. Evidence is that it was he who was chosen as the patron saint of the Year of the Dolphin in 2006 and was entrusted with the official inauguration of it. Albert II takes part in many UN humanitarian and social initiatives.
The activities of the prince in the field of environmental protection
Albert II organizes various activities aimed at protecting and combating environmental pollution. He considers this area to be extremely important for the development of the state. According to the ruling prince, each person 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 kinds of actions and missions, both in Monaco and outside the principality.
Albert II serves as Vice President of the Princess Grace Foundation in 1964. This organization, first of all, provides patronage to gifted dancers, musicians, artists.
Each year she awards scholarships to talented young people. In addition, the Foundation participates in charity events, both within the principality and internationally. First of all, assistance is provided to children suffering from certain diseases. The Foundation helps them in organizing all-round leisure: arranges creative workshops, studios, children's theaters. In addition, assistance is provided in the conduct of various medical research.
Interestingly, Prince Albert II of Monaco acts as the Honorary President of the International Napoleonic Society, created twenty years ago.
Humanitarian activities
The ruler of Monaco is actively involved in various humanitarian activities. In 1982 he was appointed head of the Principality's Red Cross. Today he oversees international assistance programs carried out in the country.
With the participation of Albert, humanitarian actions are carried out in other states: Romania, India, Brazil. At the same time, His Lordship himself travels to the places where they are held. For example, he visited places that were affected by the horrific tsunami that struck Thailand on December 26, 2004.
- 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 gave up any privileges and settled with the rest of the athletes, without emphasizing his origin at all.
- Shortly before the wedding of the prince, information appeared in the press that the bride was going to escape from the aisle. The reason was the appearance of Albert's third illegitimate child. However, in the end it turned out that these were just idle speculations of tabloid media. Later, Charlene herself commented on these rumors, calling them ridiculous and funny.
- The reigning prince of Monaco is considered one of the richest men in the world. Today his capital is estimated at over one billion dollars. It includes houses and lands located in France and Monaco.
- For the second year in a row, he tops the rating of the most handsome men in the world according to the famous publication "Glam Magazine".
When Prince Albert II ascended the throne, Monaco was a prosperous and prosperous state with centuries-old traditions and a happy people. 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 proving himself to be a brilliant ruler who cares about the prosperity of his principality and its people.
The loyal subjects of the tiny state in southern Europe had to be pretty worried when they learned that the princely family was expecting the birth of twins. According to the rules of succession, when both a boy and a girl are born, the male child receives the priority right to the throne. If same-sex children are born, this right passes to the first-born baby. But those who have studied the history of Monaco argue that they tried to transfer power to the man in any case, even bypassing the established rules. However, after the birth in December 2014 of the twins Gabriella and Jacques, all conversations began to be more theoretical in nature. In practice, despite the fact that Gabriella was born a few minutes earlier, Jacques is considered the legal heir of Albert.
The future prince of Monaco and his sister are growing up healthy and developed children. Once the prince proudly shared that his little son inherited his passion for sports. “We often watch rugby and football with children. Gabriella, and especially Jacques, do it with great pleasure. "
.jpg)
Children of the second grade
And what about the other children of the prince, whose childhood and adolescence are spent far from the palace? Indeed, they cannot claim the crown of the principality of Monaco, but in the event of the death of Albert II, they, as direct heirs, have legal grounds to claim his fabulous fortune! And today it is estimated at two billion euros. However, neither Jasmine nor Alexander (the prince's illegitimate children) bother with thoughts of possible wealth. At least for now. Now they are more concerned about whether the famous father, burdened with "important" state affairs, will have at least a little time for them.
So, the monarch did not consider it necessary to appear at the graduation ceremony dedicated to the graduation of the eldest daughter Jasmine. At that time, he was in Monte Carlo for a fashion show, where he was pleased to contemplate long-legged beauties defiling on the catwalk in outfits from the new collection of Louis Vuitton.
In turn, the mother of 12-year-old Alexander Nicole Coast, in an interview with the British tabloid, complained that the prince last saw his son more than a year ago. “He just hit the stream ... was in the midst of rumors. And all because of his new wife. I understand that she feels uncomfortable knowing that her dearest husband has children from other women, but I have to think about the future of my son. What is Alexander's fault ?! " According to Nicole, Albert is not serious about his father's obligations, limiting himself only to the regular payment of alimony - about 30 thousand euros per month. “But money won't raise my child. He must have a beloved father, ”said Nicole, a former Togo flight attendant and now a fashion designer, with a sigh.
In order not to traumatize the psyche of her growing son, Nicole changed her luxurious villa on the Cote d'Azur to a house in Great Britain. “I don’t want my boy to endure angry ridicule from his peers, but there it would be inevitable,” she explained. In the end, Nicole Costa fully experienced for herself what it means to quarrel with the prince. “People who called themselves my friends suddenly stopped communicating with me. I was not invited anywhere, again because of Albert, so as not to put him in an awkward position, if he tries to attend a party or a reception, "Nicole stated sadly.
Irresponsible lover
The Monaco womanizer met Alexander's mother on an Air France plane when he was flying from Nice to Paris. This was in 1977. The black beauty with almond-shaped eyes, originally from Togo, a state in Central Africa, immediately attracted the prince. “He asked for my phone number and a few days later called and invited him to his place,” Nicole recalls. Their romance, which they carefully concealed, lasted six years. According to the stewardess, Albert was forced to break off this relationship by his father, Prince Rainier - the then ruler of Monaco wanted a more profitable party for his son. Alexander was born after the couple broke up.
“When he found out that I was pregnant, at first he was very happy. He promised support. However, after a couple of months, his enthusiasm noticeably faded. Albert's father and other advisers described to Albert what serious consequences his irresponsible behavior would have, ”Nicole complained. Enraged by Albert's frivolous behavior, Prince Rainier even made changes to the Constitution. Since 2002, only a member of the Grimaldi family, that is, the legal heirs of his son and two daughters, Caroline and Stephanie, can ascend to the throne of the Principality of Monaco.
When Alexander was born, Albert gave Nicole a $ 3 million house in Paris. “He visited us often and was a really caring father. Arranged pirate receptions, took his son for walks, - the stewardess confessed in the media. - The problems began after I asked Albert to officially recognize our 2-year-old son. He demanded to carry out genetic tests for DNA. And on his own initiative he inflated a scandal in the media. "
Stung by the behavior of her former lover, Nicole, having received the test results, handed them over to reporters. And the French press went berserk. "The flight attendant from Togo told the truth!" - shouted the headlines. So, three months after the death of Prince Rainier and a week after the proclamation of Albert as the new ruler of Monaco, the world learned about his secret.
Albert was forced to turn to his subjects. “I know that there are people who have a certain kind of complaint against me. I intend to deal with these matters as soon as the time comes, ”the prince reacted diplomatically in a televised address. But then another bomb exploded: the journalistic brotherhood quickly realized that the monarch meant, of course, the American Tamara Rotolo. In 1993, she tried to prove through the courts that the powerful Grimaldi is the father of her daughter. However, the Californian court dismissed the claim, arguing that this issue lies outside its jurisdiction.
Albert met a charming waitress in 1991 during a tennis tournament in Monaco. At first she agreed to ride on his yacht, then she appeared at a reception in the palace, and then ... she did not refuse to brighten up the prince's loneliness in the bedroom. Upon returning to her homeland, Tamara did not end her relationship with Albert, and, as a result, it turned out that she was pregnant. The prince reacted quickly to the stunning news - he began to avoid his American passion and diligently ignore her until the woman gave birth. Girl.
For the first time, the prince saw his daughter quite by accident - during an official visit to the United States. Rotolo learned that Albert intended to visit the town of Cody. “When he was playing jokes with the children who were handing him flowers, a little girl suddenly ran out of the crowd. A tall brunette followed her. Tamara, taking the baby by the hand, led her to the prince with the words: "This is our daughter." Albert was terribly embarrassed, blushed and could not utter a word. And so he left, ”local newspapers stated.
State: Principality of Monaco
Capital: Monaco
Monarchy type: Dualistic constitutional monarchy
Ruling Monarch: Albert II
1215 is considered the year of birth of the Monaco monarchy. The current ruling clan Grimaldi set foot on these lands 82 years later. It was with them that history began, the ups and downs of which the modern public is keenly interested in to this day.
For more than 700 years of reign, the dynasty has not changed even once. The independence of Monaco, the oldest and smallest state, has been repeatedly tried to abolish. In the course of numerous conflicts, the Monegasque rulers were forced to turn to France for help, which, recognizing Monaco as a free and sovereign state, took them under its protectorate.
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III
Only in 1860, the French protectorate over Monaco ended. The principality gained independence. In 1911, the prince approved the constitution of the Principality of Monaco. In accordance with it, the monarch retained very broad powers, but shared legislative power with the National Council, which was elected by universal suffrage. In October 1914, the constitution was suspended.
The independence of the state became questionable again during the First World War. But the reigning at that time, Prince Louis II, despite the most difficult conditions and the economic crisis, managed to keep the reins of government. His grandson, Prince Rainier III, who took the throne in 1949, did a lot for the development of Monaco: he developed science, industry, sports and culture. Has transformed the country into a business hub while maintaining the traditional image of a luxury tourist destination and a gambling paradise.
"Thanks to my father, Prince Rainier, who was engaged in the modernization of the principality, Monaco is a modern state. We have a colossal heritage and great potential in many areas, and in addition, we are open to the world. This is the strength of Monaco," says Prince Albert II.
The popularity of monarchs among the public also increased during the reign of Rainier. This was largely due to his marriage to the popular American actress Grace Kelly. It would not be wrong to say that the young prince's acquaintance with the icon of cinema changed the fate of the state. The prince rebuilt the appearance of the oldest principality, and his wife was actively involved in charity and cultural development.
In this marriage, three children were born: Princess Caroline (born 1957), Crown Prince Albert (born 1958) and Princess Stephanie (born 1965).
The couple's happiness was cut short in 1982 when Grace's car plunged into the abyss. Prince Rainier, after the death of his wife, never married.
After the death of his father in 2005, Albert II came to the throne. In the past, a participant in the Winter Olympics, an active athlete and conqueror of peaks, the prince married Charlene Wittstock, a swimmer and school teacher from South Africa. The wedding took place on July 1, 2011. How soon 34-year-old Princess Charlene will be able to give birth to an heir is not known. Until this happens, the first in line to the throne is the elder sister of Prince Caroline.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II
Interesting Facts:
- Now Monaco is an independent state associated with France. Monaco, while maintaining its sovereignty and independence, entrusts a significant part of its power to France. The latter is also responsible for protecting Monaco if it is attacked by another people.
- Monaco is a paradise for entrepreneurs. The principality has a very liberal taxation system. The income of individuals (both citizens of the country and foreigners permanently residing in Monaco, with the exception of the French) has not been taxed since 1870.
- The culture of Monaco is very rich. Enrico Caruso, Fyodor Chaliapin, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti performed on the stage of the Opera Monte Carlo. In 1911 S.P. Diaghilev founded the Diaghilev Russian Ballet under the patronage of Prince Pierre of Monaco.
- Despite the small area of the population, Monaco has the largest number of police officers per person in the world, 500 police officers per 33,000 people.
- The National Orchestra of Monaco has 85 members, while the army has only 82 members.
Prince Albert II was born on March 14, 1958 in the family of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and his wife, actress Grace Kelly, who was the muse of Alfred Hitchcock. Albert has an older sister, Princess Caroline, she is also Princess of Monaco and Hanover, and a younger sister, Princess Stephanie. Recall that the full name of the monarch is Albert Alexander Louis Pierre Grimaldi and also has the title (Sérénité) His Lordship.
Education and sports career
Residents of Monaco can proudly claim that their sovereign is a diversified personality, open to new things in different areas of life. In 1976, Albert graduated from high school at the Albert I Lyceum and continued his studies at Amherst College in Massachusetts in the United States, where he studied economics, music, English literature and political science. Having received a diploma in political science, the future prince studied at the naval school in France aboard the helicopter carrier Jeanne d'Arc. In 1988, Albert became Lieutenant Commander of the Reserve in the French Service.
From childhood, Prince Albert of Monaco was fond of sports, with completely different types: football, swimming, oriental types of wrestling. He has competed in five Winter Olympic Bobsleigh Games and has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985. In 1985 he took part in the Dakar Rally. His Serene Highness is also a big fan of water sports and today leads the Monaco Yacht Club, contributing to international competitions such as the solar boat races that are currently taking place in Monaco.
Prince Rainier III, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, their children Albert, Caroline and Stephanie Governing body
In 1982, when Albert was 24 years old, his mother, Grace Kelly, died in a car accident, after which he headed the Monaco Red Cross, and also became vice president of the Princess Grace Foundation of Monaco. The foundation provides grants and scholarships to talented dancers, actors and musicians. Gradually, Father Rainier III trusted the prince with state missions, and soon Albert joined the General Assembly of the United Nations. During his father's near-death illness, from March 31, 2005 until Rainier's death (April 6), Albert was regent. On April 6, 2005, after the death of the prince, who died at the age of 81, Albert became the 14th sovereign Principality of Monaco... Along with the official title, Albert received more than 20 other titles such as Duke of Valentinois, Count Polignac and others. From the very beginning of his reign, in 2005, he began to establish international relations, develop tourism and the real estate sector, in order to change the image of the principality only as a "tax haven". In March 2013, Prince Albert II announced the second large-scale project to expand the territory of Monaco (the first was the construction of the Fontvieille area), the project is called the Portier quarter, with an area of 6 hectares, which will occupy part of the sea area in the Larvotto area, but will attract new income in Monaco ...
Albert II is called the "green" prince for his active participation and initiatives in environmental protection. In April 2006, he led an expedition to the North Pole to draw attention to global warming and became the first head of state to visit the North Pole. An unsuccessful attempt was made by his ancestor Albert I, who was an outstanding navigator and studied the world's oceans. In June 2006, the sovereign created its environmental protection fund. Climatic changes, diversity of nature and water elements are the three main directions of the foundation's work. It supports the invention of alternative energies and the introduction of hybrid vehicles in Monaco and around the world. In 2008 he became a member of the UN Champions of the Earth program. In January 2009, Albert II traveled to the South Pole in the company of South African explorer Mike Horn, thus becoming the only monarch and head of state to visit both poles of the Earth.
Prince Albert II actively travels the world, representing his kingdom. In recent years, he has visited the UK several times - including for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as at the Olympic Games in London and Sochi. At the Sochi Olympics, Prince Albert II expressed his admiration for the opening ceremonies and called the 2014 Olympic Games a real success. The prince is a member of the Committee for the Support of the World Organization for the Protection of Nature WWF, President of the Committee for the organization of the International Television Festival in Monte Carlo, the Economic Chamber of Monaco, the Association of Friends of the Opera Monte Carlo, the International Association of Unesco Art. He actively cooperates with the UN and won the recognition of this organization, in particular, in 2006 he was appointed patron of the "Year of the Dolphin" and officially opened it on September 17, 2006.
Stormy youth and personal life
For a long time Albert did not have a constant life partner and remained single. The monarch of the most glamorous state in the world was a recurring character in the gossip. And how could it be otherwise! The son of the legendary Grace Kelly, a 5-time participant in the Winter Olympics, a public figure, a party goer, an enviable groom, he was not deprived of female attention. He is credited with having affairs with the most beautiful women in the world: Karen Mulder, a Dutch model, also known as one of the Victoria's Secret Angels, who announced her love affair with the prince live on French television, and the Ukrainian figure skating champion also appeared on the red carpet with him. Oksana Grischuk, who was even introduced to the father of Prince Rainier III. Albert spent time in the company of the German model Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, who was later invited to the monarch's wedding. Many beauties dreamed of marrying a prince, but received the title of Princess of Monaco Charlene Wittstock, who tried to escape the aisle three times after announcing her engagement in 2010. They say that Charlene learned about illegitimate children and the numerous novels of her lover, which shook her faith in Albert's feelings. He has officially recognized two illegitimate children (from different mothers), but they cannot inherit the throne. But the fact is that Jasmine Grace Grimaldi, daughter of American Tamara Rotolo, and Alexander Eric, son of black flight attendant Nicole Coast, are his illegitimate children. Albert decided to publicly admit this only after the death of his father. 
They met Charlene Wittstock, a swimmer and teacher from South Africa, in 2000 at a swimming competition held in Monaco. The Crown Prince expected that it was not so difficult to win the heart of young Charlene (Charlene is 20 years younger than him), but only after six years of dating, he managed to convince her to move to Monaco. And a year later, he realized that it was she who should become his wife and wear the status of the Princess of Monaco. Also, Albert was already under fifty years old, and it was time to think about the future heir to the principality. In June 2010, their engagement was announced and the wedding took place on July 1, 2011. The wedding, which lasted two days, was called "the most impressive wedding in Monaco in 55 years." In 2014, it became known that Princess Charlene was pregnant, and on December 10 she gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The children were named Jacques Honore Rainier and Gabriella Teresa Maria. The son received the titles of Crown Prince of Monaco and Marquis de Beaux, and the daughter - the titles of Princess of Monaco and Countess de Carlades.
In anticipation of celebrating the 10th anniversary of his accession to the throne, Prince Albert II admitted to the media that Monaco is flourishing and developing even faster than he had hoped. “Our country is a place where peace, security reigns, where there is a real quality of life. I do not know how long my reign will last, but I am making plans for the distant future. I regularly communicate with my colleagues, heads of other countries, and I see that many of them cannot take the initiative for a long time, but introduce short-term reforms. "
