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Centenary Prince Rainier III Celebration

Centenary Prince Rainier III Celebration

On Wednesday, May 31, the father of HSH Prince Albert, Prince Rainier III, would have been 100 years old. Known as the Builder Prince, he extended Monaco’s territory by almost a quarter of its surface. He gained 31 hectares from the sea, including 22 hectares that make up Fontvieille, the Principality’s business district. In 1964, the underground railway line was established by him, and the Grimaldi Forum was another of the Prince’s remarkable achievements.

Prince Rainier was also a forward-thinker who abolished the death penalty 19 years earlier than France, strengthened the Monegasque constitution in 1962, and revised it in 2002. He ratified Monaco’s accession to the UN in 1992 and to the Council of Europe in 2004. Prince launched the Television Festival in 1961 and the Circus Festival in 1974.

The Principality of Monaco will celebrate Prince Rainier III’s centenary on May 31, starting at 2:30 pm. The organizing committee, chaired by Princess Stéphanie, has pulled out all entertaining program in various locations.

Place du Palais Princier will be the heart of the festivities where the Prince at Home exhibition “Le Prince chez Lui, Rainier III en images (1923-2005)” and many performances to be held. At Cathedral Square and Place Saint-Nicolas, you’ll find workshops, clowns, and a magician, with music to boot.

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Most of the shows take Place several times in different locations, including at the Town Hall for most of the performances. Wherever you go in Monaco, you can join in with the festivities and at Saint-Martin Gardens activities for all ages and with special kid’s areas. The Esplanade de Gouvernement and stage at the Oceanographic Museum will allow the Principality’s young athletes to shine at “Monaco’s Got Talent.” The famous Club Bouliste du Rocher also contributes to the festivities with a significant international pétanque competition.
You can have a serving of birthday cake from 9.15 pm onwards at the Place du Palais Princier (Palace Square), the Parvis de la Cathédrale (Cathedral Square), the Place de la Mairie (Town Hall Square), the Saint-Martin Gardens, the Club Bouliste, and the Oceanographic Museum. And at 10.15 pm, a firework display launched from the Port Hercule breakwater will light up the sky.

Calling all Monegasque nationals: to mark the centenary of Prince Rainier III, the Sovereign Prince is giving a numbered commemorative coin to all Monegasques (including children born up to and including May 31, 2023).

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