The Reigning Prince or Princess of Monaco is the sovereign monarch and head of state of the Principality
of Monaco. All Princes or Princesses thus far have taken the name of the House of
Grimaldi, but have belonged to various other houses in male line; the current Prince is Albert II.
Powers of the Prince
Monaco, along with Liechtenstein, is one of only two countries in Europe where the
monarch still plays an active role in day-to-day politics.
The Prince or Princess exercises his or her authority in accordance with the Constitution and laws. He or she represents the
Principality in all foreign relations and any revision, either total or partial, of the Constitution, must be jointly agreed to
by the Prince and the National Council.
Legislative power is divided between the Prince who initiates the laws, and the National Council which votes on them.
Executive power is retained by the Prince. The Minister of State and the Government Council are directly responsible to the
Prince for the administration of the Principality.
Judiciary powers also belong to the Prince, the present Constitution states that the Prince has full authority in the courts
and tribunals which render justice in his or her name.
Albert II, also grants amnesty and Monegasque citizenship, and bestows orders, titles and other ranks of distinction (see
Awards and decorations of Monaco)
Titles and styles
Like all Monegasque royalty, the Prince is styled His Serene Highness (or, in the case of a ruling Princess, Her Serene Highness), abbreviated
to S.A.S. (Son Altesse Serenissime). Though they are rarely used, the Prince also bears a great many other hereditary
titles, some of which are occasionally bestowed on his relatives or their spouses. Most of these titles have merged with the
Crown of Monaco as a result of the Grimaldi family's acquisition of various duchies,
counties, baronies, and other
fiefs, though they are almost all extinct and carry no administrative power. The current
Prince's complete titles and styles are:
His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco (princely title)
- Duke of Valentinois, only a Monegasque title (formerly also a French
title)
- Marquis of Baux, only a Monegasque title
- Count of Carladès, only a Monegasque title
- Count of Polignac, a French title
- Baron of Calvinet, only a Monegasque title
- Baron of Buis, only a Monegasque title
- Lord of Saint-Rémy, only a Monegasque title
- Sire of Matignon, only a Monegasque title
- Count of Torigni, only a Monegasque title
- Baron of Saint-Lô, only a Monegasque title
- Baron of La Luthumière, only a Monegasque title
- Baron of Hambye, only a Monegasque title
- Duke of Estouteville, only a Monegasque title
- Duke of Mazarin, only a Monegasque title
- Duke of Mayenne, only a Monegasque title
- Prince of Château-Porcien, only a Monegasque title
- Count of Ferrette, only a Monegasque title
- Count of Belfort, only a Monegasque title
- Count of Thann, only a Monegasque title
- Count of Rosemont, only a Monegasque title
- Baron of Altkirch, only a Monegasque title
- Lord of Isenheim, only a Monegasque title
- Marquis of Chilly, only a Monegasque title
- Count of Longjumeau, only a Monegasque title
- Baron of Massy, only a Monegasque title
- Marquis of Guiscard, only a Monegasque title
Non-reigning princes(ses) of Monaco
Prince(ss) of Monaco is a title also given to certain members of the princely
family of Monaco. It is not to be confused with the ruling Prince's title "Reigning Prince
of Monaco", from which the first word is commonly dropped; or with the title of the heir
apparent or presumptive to the throne, Hereditary Prince of Monaco.
See also
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