Prince Albert celebrates 20 years on the throne

Albert II, Prince of Monaco, celebrates 20 years on the throne today.

He actually took over his father’s duties a week earlier, on 31 March 2005, after a consultation with the Crown Council of Monaco. His father, who was very ill, was unable to fulfil his princely duties. The following day it was announced that the chances of Rainier’s recovery were slim. He died on 6 April at the Cardiothoracic Centre of Monaco at the age of 81.

Following a three-month mourning period, Prince Albert was enthroned as the ruler of Monaco on 12 July.

At the time, Albert was 47 and unmarried. He did have two children, Jazmin Grace Grimaldi (born 1992) and Alexandre Coste (born 2003), who are not eligible to inherit the Monegasque throne. Before 2002, there was a law which stated that only the last reigning prince’s direct and legitimate descendants could inherit the throne. To prevent any succession issues, this was amended to include the prince’s legitimate siblings and their legitimate descendants in the line of succession. Monaco still follows male-preference primogeniture.

Prince Albert married Charlene Wittstock, and they went on to have twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, in 2014. They are now second and third in the line of succession. Due to male-preference primogeniture, Prince Jacques is ahead of his sister in the line of succession, even though she was born first.

Prince Albert is the patron of many organisations, including many which focus on sports. He also has a great interest in environmental issues. As reigning Prince, he has overseen judicial and legal reforms and the development of social housing and infrastructure in Monaco.