It was on this day in 1958 that Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi was born, 14 months after his older sister Princess Caroline, giving Rainier III the son he had always wanted. Bells rang out across the principality and the artillery at Fort Antoine fired a 101-gun salute in celebration, announcing the birth of the new Hereditary Prince to the entire Monegasque population along with a proclamation from the Sovereign Prince. He was later baptized on April 20, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert of Monaco, Marquis des Beaux with Prince Louis de Polignac as his godfather and HM Queen Victoria-Eugenia of Spain as his godmother. The succession was secured and the people saw the prince who would lead their small but proud and noble country into the 21st Century. Mad for Monaco joins all the Monegasque and His Serene Highness' many friends around the world in wishing the Sovereign Prince a very happy birthday with many more to come. Vive Monaco! Vive Albert II!
Hopefully it won't take long before Albert and Charlene are sending cards to announce the birth of their firstborn.
ReplyDeleteHis birth, as I've read, also signified a major step for Princess Grace towards the acceptance, admiration and love of the Monegasques.
Happy Birthday to Prince Albert.