Rainier III, Prince of Monaco
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Rainier III was Prince of Monaco from 1949 to his death in 2005. Rainier ruled the Principality of Monaco for almost 56 years.
Prince Rainier in 1961
Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace arrive at the White House for a luncheon in May 1961.
The Princely Family in 1966
Prince Rainier III (middle) with his son Albert (left) in 1998
Monarchy of Monaco
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The sovereign prince is the monarch and head of state of the Principality of Monaco. All reigning princes and princesses have taken the name of the House of Grimaldi. When Prince Rainier III died in 2005, he was Europe's longest reigning monarch. The Grimaldi family, which has ruled Monaco for eight centuries, is Europe's longest-ruling royal family.
Monarchy of Monaco