Albert II (b. 1958) - the reigning prince of Monaco, Rainier III and the heir to a dazzling Hollywood actress Grace Kelly.His turbulent love life for many years did not leave the pages of the world's tabloids.Now it is known as a loving husband and an exemplary father.An avid athlete, a brilliant diplomat and an active philanthropist - the man surprisingly versatile, and all its achievements can hardly be enumerated.Let's find out what was the way of Prince Albert II to the throne, and recall some interesting points about his life.Especially that this experience may help to look at their problems from a different angle and to understand that in life there is always room for good endings.
biography
Prince Albert II of Monaco was born March 14, 1958 in the capital of the country - the ancient city of Monaco-Ville.Education boy received at the Lycée Albert I and with excellent results he graduated in 1976. He then took a one-year training course to various princely affairs and became a student at Amherst - college, located in Massachusetts.After studying it for five years, Albert II became a Bachelor of Political Science.After graduation, he served two years in the French military ship "Jeanne d'Arc" as a lieutenant.Also, for some time he was an intern in the large private companies in America and France.
As crown prince, Albert showed a special interest in the problems of the humanitarian sphere, as well as charity events.In recent years, management of the country Rainier III, his father, Albert entrusted some of his duties.However, to help parents in the Prince of Monaco he began in his youth.Thus, to take the throne, Albert II was prepared perfectly.
March 7, 2005 Rainier III was in the intensive care cardiology center due to heart failure.On the last day of the month Crown Prince Albert II was determined Regent.April 6 after the death of 81-year-old father, he was the ruler of Monaco.In November of the same year he was crowned.
Prince Albert II of Monaco is the title of His Serene Highness.He also has a huge number of high awards and is the holder of many awards.In fairness it should be noted that the monarch they got not so much because of its title, as for services to the motherland and the European Community.
stormy personal life
to fifty years the Prince of Monaco was a confirmed bachelor and did not even think about getting married.He constantly attributed loving relationship with cinema actress, models, athletes.Tabloid closely watched novels Prince and track every pass.Companion Albert II over the years called Naomi Campbell, Sharon Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow.Truly windy and unstable cavalier was Albert II, Prince of Monaco.Photo of his many chosen ones now and then flashed in the media.In 2001, Prince announced his engagement to actress Angie Eckhart from America.The press wrote that the son went to his father's footsteps.However, their relationship did not last too long.
The Prince has two illegitimate child: a daughter and a son born to different mothers.It is officially recognized them, but no rights to the princely throne they have not.This is due to the new laws of the country.
Questions of succession in Monaco
The laws of the state until 2002, does not prescribe rules for succession to the throne in the event that the prince no children from a legal marriage.However, because of the volatility of Albert we had to change to the ruling dynasty retained the throne.Currently in Monaco it adopted the birthright to benefit men.This means that if Albert did not appear legitimate children, the heir to the throne would be his eldest sister, Carolina, and after - her son.Thus, no matter how frivolous personal life may have been Albert II - the prince of Monaco, children born not of legitimate spouses may not have absolutely no rights to the throne.
Note that currently the Crown Prince of Monaco is the son of Prince Albert - Jacques.
Family
summer 2010, Prince announced his betrothal to Charlene Wittstock, and a year later took their marriage.What do we know about the beloved Albert II?It is twenty years younger than the prince.From early childhood, Charlene fond of swimming.At the age of eighteen years she has won national competitions in the sport, and also participated in the Olympic Games in Sydney.After that she came to Monaco, where he met with Albert II.
Their relationship developed quickly, on the contrary, the prince went on to start a relationship with other women.Roman Albert II and Charlene began only in 2006. A year later, the girl because of an injury was forced to leave the sport, and Prince invited her to Monaco.
wedding ceremony
Their wedding was one of the most magnificent and solemn ceremonies century.It was planned as a grand celebration for all the people of Monaco.No less than a thousand invited guests, three state output, attracting a huge number of people - so it planned to Albert II.Photos and videos of the ceremony show that the triumph was indeed possible: it was as luxurious and sophisticated as, and finished a spectacular fireworks display.The bride and groom were delicious, he - in a white dress uniform carabinieri, she - in a charming dress made of silk with a twenty-meter train by Giorgio Armani.The wedding took place on the morning after the civil ceremony.
On 10 December last year, Albert II and Charlene Wittstock became parents: Princess gave his handpicked charming twins: Jacques and Gabriella.Already two weeks later the family organized the first photo shoot kids, and when the children did not have a month, first appeared.
couple tenderly love each other and work together selflessly for the benefit of the principality.
sportsmanship
Prince of Monaco an early age dearly loves sports.Most of all, he enjoys soccer, swimming, tennis.Interestingly, the Prince appeared five times in the Olympics for his country, taking part in competitions in bobsled.In 1985, Albert fought for first place in the 'Dakar'.But, unfortunately, he had to leave the race.The reason was the failure of his car.He is also the patron of the football club "Monaco".
Prince of Monaco Albert II - a member of the IOC for 11 years the head of the National Olympic Committee of the country.He acts for many years president of the numerous sports federations (including swimming and modern pentathlon) and personally oversees the principality in some competitions, for example, the annual athletics.
Cooperation with UN
Prince Albert II cooperates with the United Nations.He managed to gain the trust and recognition of the organization.The evidence is that it was chosen as the patron of the Year of the Dolphin 2006 and entrusted officially inaugurate it.Albert II participates in many humanitarian and social initiatives of the United Nations.
Activities prince in environmental
Albert II organizes various activities aimed at protecting the environment and combating environmental pollution.He believes this area is extremely important for the development of the state.According to the ruling prince, everyone must contribute to the care of the environment and take responsibility for solving environmental problems, even at the household level.
Charity and cultural activities Prince
Continuing the proud tradition of his parents, Prince Albert II pays much attention to charitable activities.He participates in various events and missions, both in Monaco and outside the principality.
Albert II acts as Vice-President of the Foundation, created by Princess Grace in 1964.This organization, first of all, has the patronage of gifted dancers, musicians and artists.
Every year it awards scholarships to representatives of talented youth.In addition, the Foundation is involved in charitable activities, both inside the principality and at the international level.First of all, it is to help children who suffer from these or other diseases.The Foundation helps them to organize comprehensive leisure: arranges workshops, studios, children's theaters.In addition, assistance is provided in carrying out various medical studies.
Interestingly, the Prince Albert II of Monaco acts as Honorary President established twenty years ago, the International Napoleonic Society.
Humanitarian activities
ruler of Monaco is actively involved in various humanitarian activities.In 1982 he was appointed head of the Red Cross of the principality.Today he controls the international assistance programs conducted in the country.
Albert carried out with the participation of humanitarian actions in other countries: Romania, India and Brazil.At the same time, His Serene Highness himself travels to their venues.For example, he visited the places that were affected by the horrific tsunami that struck Thailand December 26, 2004.
Interesting facts
- Albert became the first serving monarch to visit the North Pole.
- According to the press, when the hero of our story was a participant in the Olympic Games, he refused any privileges and it was settled with the other athletes, it is not stressing their origins.
- Shortly before the wedding of Prince in the press reported that the bride is going to run away from the wedding.The reason called the emergence of a third illegitimate child of Albert.But in the end it turned out that this is just idle speculation tabloid media.Later she commented Charlene these rumors, calling them absurd and ridiculous.
- Reigning Prince of Monaco is considered one of the richest men in the world.Today, its capital is estimated at over one billion dollars.It includes the house and land located in France and Monaco.
- second consecutive year, he headed the list of the most beautiful men on the planet's version of the famous publication «Glam Magazine».
When ascended the throne, Prince Albert II, Monaco was a successful and prosperous state with a centuries-old tradition and happy people.And, thanks to his tireless efforts, it remains so to this day.Stormy romantic adventures did not prevent him to create a strong and happy family and show a brilliant ruler who cares about the prosperity of his principality and its people.
