Saturday, June 25, marked exactly 100 years since the passing of Prince Albert 1.
It was on that day in 1922 that Monaco heard the news that their beloved Prince had died in hospital in Paris at the age of 73. He had been at the head of the state for 32 years.
Albert 1 had taken over from Charles III on September 10, 1889. He in turn was succeeded by Louis II.
The Journal de Monaco published a special edition in which the loss of the Prince was noted with great sadness. “He accomplished so much for the prosperity, the reputation and the security of his Principality,” the publication noted.
Lady Mary Hamilton, Prince Albert’s first wife, had died one month earlier. The Prince was separated from his second wife, the American Alice Heine.
Crowned heads from across Europe mourned the loss of the wise Prince who had been a leading scientific figure in the early part of the 20th century.
The Prince’s body was brought to Monaco by special train on July 1 and the religious ceremonies were held in the Cathedral on July 8.
Louis II ruled until his death in 1949, when his grandson, Prince Rainier III succeeded him.
