| New
York – It is with very great sorrow and deep regret
that we have learned of the passing of our Sovereign Prince, His Serene
Highness Prince Rainier III, aged 81, on Wednesday, April 6, 2005.
Above all we extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to His Serene
Highness Prince Albert of Monaco, Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline
of Hanover and Her Serene Highness Princess Stephanie as well as all
other members of His bereaved family.
We wish to acknowledge the overwhelming outpouring of condolences,
reflections and messages of friendship, comfort and support. These
marks of sympathy are a tribute to the very deep and extra-special
ties that exist between our country and the United States.
The official
Funeral is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 15 followed by
Mass at Monaco's Cathedral.
“Prince Rainier’s wholehearted devotion and dedication
to His beloved country through His sound guidance, benevolent leadership,
great foresight and wise counsel is recalled with gratitude,”
said Monaco’s Consul-General in New York, Hon. Maguy Maccario-Doyle.
“He was a remarkable monarch, one of Europe’s longest
serving, whose charisma and vision - with the support and encouragement
of His adored wife, the late Princess Grace - smoothly guided Monaco
through the 20th century to see it become a thriving international
business, cultural and artistic center as well as one of the world’s
foremost luxury tourist destinations,” she said.
Affectionately known as “the Builder Prince”, He instigated
countless avant-garde infrastructure policies since the 1950s and
for more than a half-century oversaw the Principality’s unique
geographical extension and its exceptional economic development.
His commitment
to scientific and environmental issues stemmed from his passion of
the sea and his legacy to the world’s oceans includes thoughtful
resource management and conservation techniques, as well as the promotion
of non-polluting industries.
Consul General Maccario-Doyle said Prince Rainier would long be remembered
for His formidable charitable legacy, His many philanthropic accomplishments
and His dedication to world peace and stability. As a leader of a
prosperous democratic nation, He gained much international respect
through His support of, and contributions to, numerous social, environmental
and humanitarian causes offering His patronage and financial support
over many years.
“He was enormously proud of the Principality’s admission
in 1993 as the 183rd member-state of the United Nations and again
in 2004, when Monaco became the 46th member-state of the European
Council,” she said.
“Our loss is one that will be difficult to overcome, as we mourn
not just the passing of a treasured and great leader, but also a charismatic,
visionary man and, above all, a true gentleman.”
A Book of Condolence for the public has been opened in the lobby of
the building housing the Consulate General of Monaco at 565 Fifth
Avenue (entrance on the corner of East 46th Street). It will be available
for signing between the hours of 10:00am and 3:00pm from Wednesday,
April 6 through Friday, April 15 (except Saturday and Sunday). Condolences
may also be sent via e-mail to: info@Monaco-Consulate.com.
The Consulate
General of Monaco will arrange a Memorial Service for HSH Prince Rainier
at St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York in co-operation with Monaco’s
Mission to the United Nations and the Princess Grace Foundation.
For more information, please contact the Consulate General of Monaco,
565 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Tel: 212-286 0500 or via e-mail
at:info@Monaco-Consulate.com.
Our website is: www.Monaco-Consulate.com.
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