4/15/2005: Another Friday, another funeral
Prince Rainier III of Monaco's funeral takes place today beginning at noon (10am GMT - 2am PDT). About ten thousand people have filed past to view his body in the chapel of the royal palace since he died on April 6 at 81.
Many hadn't heard of the tiny state of Monaco until 1956, when Rainier married glamorous, successful Hollywood movie star Grace Kelly. In the years since, Monaco (especially Monte Carlo with its Grand Casino, Grand Prix, and beautiful French Riviera harbor moored with luxury yachts) has become a playground for the wealthy. The royal family has had its ups and downs like any other, and the Rainiers' children - particularly daughters Stephanie and Caroline - often provided fodder for gossip tabloids over the years. Their son Prince Albert, 47, will succeed his father as monarch.
On April 10, Princess Caroline's husband Prince Ernst August of Hanover was rushed to hospital with an acute pancreatic problem and is reported to be in a coma, giving way to whispers about the legendary 700-year-old "Grimaldi Curse" which says the family will never enjoy long happy marriages.
French President Jacques Chirac, King Juan Carlos of Spain, and the UK's Prince Andrew are among the notables and dignitaries expected to attend the funeral. Prince Rainier will be buried in the evening in a private family ceremony next to Princess Grace, who died in a car crash in 1982. Coincidentally, they were also married on April 15.
click for Keyhole view of Monte Carlo's Grand Casino and the square that can be viewed on today's featured web cam
p.s. whoops, it looks like too much world traffic has taken the cam offline, at least for now - hopefully it will return!
