Prince Albert II of Monaco
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Prince Albert II of Monaco

Prince Albert II of Monaco, born Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi on March 14, 1958, is the reigning monarch of the Principality of Monaco and head of the House of Grimaldi. The only son of Prince Rainier III and the iconic American actress Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco), he succeeded his father in 2005. Albert attended Lycée Albert Premier and later Amherst College, where he studied political science, graduating in 1981. A keen sportsman, he competed in bobsleigh at five Winter Olympic Games between 1988 and 2002 and has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985. Beyond his athletic pursuits, he served in the French Navy and has been involved with numerous charities and causes since his mother's passing in 1982, becoming president of the Monaco Red Cross.A defining characteristic of his reign has been his profound commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. In 2006, he established the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which has become a significant global philanthropic entity dedicated to combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and managing water resources, with a focus on the Mediterranean Basin, Polar Regions, and least developed countries. He is the only head of state to have visited both the North and South Poles, underscoring his dedication to polar research and advocacy. Under his leadership, Monaco has aimed to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, spearheading initiatives in renewable energy and sustainable urban development. Prince Albert II married Charlene Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer from South Africa, in 2011, and they have twins, Prince Jacques Honoré Rainier and Princess Gabriella Thérèse Marie. His reign has been marked by significant reforms, a commitment to social progress, and a powerful global voice for environmental stewardship.

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