Funeral of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

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Funeral of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
The tomb of Rainierivs III ('Rainier III' in Latin), Prince of Monaco
Date15 April 2005; 18 years ago (2005-04-15)
LocationCathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, Monaco-Ville
ParticipantsPrincely Family of Monaco

The funeral of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, took place at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate in Monaco-Ville on 15 April 2005. A heavy smoker, Rainier suffered from chest and lung infections in his final years and was hospitalized numerous times. He was placed in intensive care unit with renal and heart failure in March 2005. He died on 6 April at the age of 81.[1] His only son, Albert, was at his bedside.[2] He was Europe's longest-serving monarch at the time of his death.[3][4]

Funeral service[edit]

Rainier's remains lay in state from 6 April at the Palatine Chapel at the Prince's Palace of Monaco.[3][5] Members of the public were allowed to file past the coffin to pay their respects.[6] On the day of the funeral, flags flew at half-mast.[7] His coffin was draped in a red and white flag that featured the coat of arms of the House of Grimaldi and the moto Deo Juvante ("With God's Help").[8][3] It was borne in a procession of 170-member staff by ten pallbearers chosen from the Prince's Company of Carabineers who carried it from the palace to the cathedral on a 200-metre route.[3][8][9] Rainier's children, some of his grandchildren, and other close relatives followed behind.[3] His dog Odin was also included in the procession.[3] The coffin was brought out of the palace via the Gate of Honor, which was symbolically closed afterwards.[5] The band played Beethoven's "Funeral March" as the coffin proceeded through the city and a battery fired 36 gun salutes.[6][10] The funeral march was chosen by his elder daughter.[6]

The coffin was taken into the cathedral by six officers.[11] Once inside the cathedral, a sword was placed on the coffin,[3][4] and candles were lit by his family members.[11] Dignitaries and representatives from 60 countries were present for the ceremony, including members of the royal families of Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.[11][7] The 90-minute service was broadcast on television.[3][6] The music that accompanied the requiem mass included Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, which had been previously played at his wife Grace's funeral.[3][12] The Archbishop of Monaco gave the eulogy, in which he described Rainier as the "builder prince".[3] He went on to add "For all of us, the prince was, of course, the sovereign, but he was also a friend, a member of the family."[3] He also described Rainier and his late wife Princess Grace as "an exceptional couple, united by the heart and spirit."[3] Rainier was buried during a private service attended by close relatives in the family crypt next to his wife, who had died in 1982.[3][6] Another mass held at the cathedral was attended by members of the public.[9]

Floral tributes were left outside the cathedral by members of the public.[8] 1,300 members of the police from Monaco and France were responsible for providing the security.[3][6] The harbour was completely sealed off.[9] Monte Carlo Casino and other businesses were also closed on the day of his funeral.[3][4]

Attendees[edit]

Family[edit]

House of Grimaldi[edit]

Foreign royalty[edit]

Members of reigning royal families[edit]

Non-royal dignitaries[edit]

Other notable attendees[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Monaco's Prince Rainier, 81, dies". BBC News. 6 April 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  2. ^ Dahlburg, John-Thor (7 April 2005). "Prince Rainier III, 81; Ruler Transformed Monaco, Made Grace Kelly His Princess". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Funeral service pays tribute to Prince Rainier". Associated Press. 15 April 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2023 – via NBC News.
  4. ^ a b c Oliver, Mark (15 April 2005). "Prince Rainier of Monaco laid to rest". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Prince Rainier III's Funeral Ends in Monaco". Associated Press. Retrieved 3 March 2023 – via Fox News.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h "Monaco to bid farewell to Rainier". CNN. 15 April 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Pomp and solemnity for Prince Rainier's funeral". The New York Times. 15 April 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Rainier's Funeral". CBS News. 15 April 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Lichfield, John (16 April 2005). "Monaco buries Prince Rainier next to Grace". The Independent. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Family, royalty attend Rainier's funeral". CBC News. 15 April 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "Monaco's Prince Rainier farewelled". ABC. 15 April 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  12. ^ Gecker, Jocelyn (16 April 2005). "Bells toll for Prince Rainier III". Associated Press. Retrieved 3 March 2023 – via The Seattle Times.
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