Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand de Grimaldi (born May 31, 1923), better known as Rainier III, is the Prince of Monaco.

He was born in the principality of Monaco, the son of the Princess of Monaco, Charlotte Louise Juliette (1898 - 1977), and her husband, Prince Pierre-Marie-Xavier-Antoine-Melchoir (1895 - 1964]]), Count of Polignac, France.

Rainier was first sent to study at St.Leonards-on-Sea in England then at Stowe, a prestigious private English school. From there, he went to Institute Le Rosey, Rolle/Gstaad, Switzerland before going on to university in France.

His grandfather, Prince Louis II, had been a General in the French army and during World War II. Rainier served as an artillery officer in the army. Second Lieutenant Rainier fought so courageously during the German counteroffensive in Alsace that he won the "Croix de Guerre," the "Bronze Star" and was given the rank of "Chevalier in the Legion of Honor."

In 1949, Rainier became the Prince of Monaco on the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II.

In 1956, in a highly publicized event, Prince Rainier III married American actress Grace Kelly (1929 - 1982). Their children are:

1. Princess Caroline Louise Marguerite, born January 23, 1957
2. Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre, heir to the throne, and Marquis of Baux, born March 14, 1958
3. Princess Stephanie Marie Elisabeth, born February 1, 1965

As Prince, Rainier III was responsible for Monaco's new constitution in 1962 that significantly reduced the power of the sovereign. The changes ended autocratic rule, placing power with the prince and a National Council of eighteen elected members.

He is the world's longest reigning monarch.