Prince Rainier, who died on 6 April 2005 at the age of 81, would have celebrated his one hundreth birthday in 2023. This year will therefore mark the centenary of the birth of the "Builder Prince". An organising committee chaired by Princess Stéphanie is tasked with preparing a series of major events looking back at the life of the man and the Head of State.
A country does not have to be big to have big dreams, nor does it need a large population to achieve them.
Prince Rainier III of Monaco
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This statement by Prince Rainier III guided his reign, which lasted for 56 years from 1949 until his death in 2005, making it the longest personal reign of all the Princes of Monaco.
Following commemorations held throughout 2022 to mark the death of Prince Albert I , the Principality is now preparing to celebrate the reign of a Prince who left an immense legacy, largely thanks to his efforts to raise the country's international profile. Alongside a specially created organising committee chaired by Princess Stéphanie, the Princely Family has unveiled the programme of festivities that will get under way on 31 May, the birthday of the "Builder Prince".
The day will see the whole Monesgasque family come together on the Rock, with workshops and activities on the themes that were closest to Prince Rainier III's heart. An exhibition called "The Prince At Home" will also open on that day in the State Apartments of the Prince's Palace, displaying a collection of archive photos, objects, and rare documents. There will be other exhibitions across the Principality, from the Princess Grace Rose Garden highlighting the Prince's love for his wife, to the Yacht Club which will celebrate his affection for the sea, and the Zoological Gardens highlighting his attachment to animals.
There will be numerous other highlights throughout 2023, including a concert by the Palace Guards band at the United Nations in New York on 19 June, to mark the 30th anniversary of Monaco's becoming a member of the UN, a move largely instigated by Prince Rainier III. Annual events held in Monaco will also include special tributes, such as the traditional Monegasque language competition in which the Principality's schollchildren take part, the "U Sciaratu" summer carnival, and the Red Cross Gala. This year of commemorations will also be a chance to relive the legendary Centenary Ball of 1966.
Finally, the major events that will take place towards the end of 2023 and the start of 2024, including the Christmas Market and the Rallye Monte-Carlo
Historique, not to mention the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo, will shine a light on the achievements of Prince Rainier III during his half-century on the throne.
