04-06-2005, 11:57 AM
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<b>Monaco's Prince Rainier dies, 81</b>
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Rainier had been in poor health for several years
Monaco's Prince Rainier has died at the age of 81, after spending several weeks in hospital.
The prince, who had ruled the tiny Mediterranean principality since 1949, died at 0635 (0435 GMT), the royal palace said.
Europe's longest-reigning monarch, he had been suffering from heart, kidney and lung problems.
He will be succeeded by his 47-year-old son, Prince Albert, who took over his father's royal duties last week.
Prince Albert was at his father's side when he died, the Reuters news agency reported.
Doctors called him a little before 0600 to tell him that the end was near, the palace said.
Affluent haven
Rainier suffered several bouts of bronchitis and had several operations in recent years.
He was taken to hospital on 7 March with a lung infection, and moved into intensive care on 22 March.
Rainier's reign made headlines in 1956, when he married the US Hollywood star Grace Kelly, who brought a new glamour to Monaco.
It helped the prince turn the principality into an affluent and stylish haven for the rich and famous.
Grace Kelly died car-crash in 1982. They had three children: Caroline, Albert and Stephanie.
<b>Monaco's Prince Rainier dies, 81</b>
<img src='http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41000000/jpg/_41000497_rainierap203b.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
Rainier had been in poor health for several years
Monaco's Prince Rainier has died at the age of 81, after spending several weeks in hospital.
The prince, who had ruled the tiny Mediterranean principality since 1949, died at 0635 (0435 GMT), the royal palace said.
Europe's longest-reigning monarch, he had been suffering from heart, kidney and lung problems.
He will be succeeded by his 47-year-old son, Prince Albert, who took over his father's royal duties last week.
Prince Albert was at his father's side when he died, the Reuters news agency reported.
Doctors called him a little before 0600 to tell him that the end was near, the palace said.
Affluent haven
Rainier suffered several bouts of bronchitis and had several operations in recent years.
He was taken to hospital on 7 March with a lung infection, and moved into intensive care on 22 March.
Rainier's reign made headlines in 1956, when he married the US Hollywood star Grace Kelly, who brought a new glamour to Monaco.
It helped the prince turn the principality into an affluent and stylish haven for the rich and famous.
Grace Kelly died car-crash in 1982. They had three children: Caroline, Albert and Stephanie.
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