24/03/2005
NEWS STORY
According to reports, Prince Rainier of Monaco is gravely ill and is currently on an artificial respirator after suffering heart and kidney trouble. His children Prince Albert and Princesses Caroline and Stephanie are at his bedside.
The 81-year-old has been in intensive care since Tuesday (22) when a lung infection deteriorated without warning.
Rainier III, who acceded to the Monaco throne in 1949, is one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs.
In 1956, he stunned the world when he married movie actress Grace Kelly, who had previously starred in a number of major American movies, including three directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. Sadly, Princess Grace was killed in a car accident in November 1982.
Monaco, home of the most glamorous event on the F1 calendar, has hosted motor racing events since 1929.
If the worst should happen, the 2005 event would almost certainly go ahead, though the atmosphere and any post-race 'celebrations' would be seriously muted.