Yannick + Louise, Urbun Cafe, Cabinteely Co Dublin; 01 284-8872; urbun.ie

Prince Albert took over Monaco’s royal powers yesterday, assuming all but the throne in the tiny principality after a royal commission decided that his critically-ill father was too sick to perform his duties.

MONACO'S ailing Prince Rainier clung to life today, breathing through a respirator in an intensive care unit, with doctors refusing to say whether he might recover and his subjects praying that he will.