Albert II, Prince of Monaco
Prince of Monaco since 2005 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Albert II, Prince of Monaco?
Summarize this article for a 10 years old
Albert II[1][2] OLY[3] (Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi; born 14 March 1958) is the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, reigning since 2005. He is the second child and only son of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and Grace Kelly.
| Albert II | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Albert II in 2019 | |||||
| Prince of Monaco | |||||
| Reign | 6 April 2005 – present | ||||
| Predecessor | Rainier III | ||||
| Heir apparent | Jacques | ||||
| Ministers of state | |||||
| Born | (1958-03-14) 14 March 1958 (age 65) Prince's Palace of Monaco, Monaco | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue | |||||
| |||||
| House | Grimaldi | ||||
| Father | Rainier III, Prince of Monaco | ||||
| Mother | Grace Kelly | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
| Signature |  | ||||
| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance |  Monaco | ||||
| Service/ |  Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince | ||||
| Years of service | 1986–2005 (end of active service) | ||||
| Rank | Commander-in-chief | ||||
Born at the Prince's Palace of Monaco, Albert attended the Lycée Albert Premier before studying political science at Amherst College. In his youth, he competed in bobsleigh during Winter Olympic finals before retiring in 2002. Albert was appointed regent in March 2005 after his father fell ill, and became sovereign prince upon his death a week later. Since his ascension, he has been outspoken in the field of environmentalism and an advocate of ocean conservation,[4] and adoption of renewable energy sources to tackle global climate change,[5][6] and founded The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2006, to directly raise funds and initiate action for such causes and greater ecological preservation.
With assets valued at more than $1 billion, Albert owns shares in the Société des Bains de Mer, which operates Monaco's casino and other entertainment properties in the principality.[7][8]
In July 2011, Prince Albert married South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock.[9] He has four children, American-born Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, French-born Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste and the twins Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès and Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco.