Albert II of Monaco

Albert II
Albert in 2025
Prince of Monaco
Reign6 April 2005 – present
PredecessorRainier III
Heir apparentJacques
Ministers of state
See list
Regent of Monaco
Tenure31 March – 6 April 2005
MonarchRainier III
Born (1958-03-14) 14 March 1958
Prince's Palace of Monaco, Monaco
Spouse
​
(m. 2011)​
IssueJazmin Grace Grimaldi
Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste
Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès
Jacques, Hereditary Prince of Monaco, Marquis of Baux
Names
Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi
HouseGrimaldi
FatherRainier III, Prince of Monaco
MotherGrace Kelly
ReligionCatholicism
SignatureSignature of Albert II
Military career
Allegiance Monaco
Branch
Public Services
Service years
1986–2005
(end of active service)
Rank
Commander-in-chief

Albert II (Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi; born 14 March 1958) is Prince of Monaco, reigning since 2005.

Born at the Prince's Palace of Monaco, Albert is the second child and only son of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. He attended the Lycée Albert Premier before studying political science at Amherst College. He is an Olympian, having competed in bobsleigh at multiple Winter Olympic Games from 1988 until his retirement in 2002. Albert was appointed regent in March 2005 after his father fell ill, and became sovereign prince upon his father's death a week later. Since his accession, he has been outspoken in the field of environmentalism and an advocate of ocean conservation and the adoption of renewable energy sources to address global climate change, and founded the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2006 to raise funds and initiate action for such causes and broader ecological preservation.

With assets valued in 2010 at US$1 billion, Albert owns shares in the Société des Bains de Mer, which operates Monaco's casino and other entertainment properties in the Principality. In July 2011, Albert married South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock. He is the father of Gabriella and Jacques, the latter his heir presumptive. Prior to his marriage, he had a daughter and a son, Jazmin and Alexandre, both from different unions. Albert recognizes four children, although he has been the subject of multiple paternity claims.