BELOW a golden crown, Prince Rainier III was given a tearful farewell yesterday at a funeral in Monaco's cathedral.

Prince Rainier III of Monaco is to be laid to rest today beside his late wife, the American film star Grace Kelly, in the cathedral where they were married a half century ago.

MONACO will mix royal pomp, solemn Roman Catholic ceremonies and tight security as it hosts VIPs from around the world for today’s funeral of Prince Rainier III.

PRINCE Rainier of Monaco, whose fairytale marriage to Hollywood star Grace Kelly brought elegance and glamour to one of Europe's oldest dynasties, died yesterday.

Prince Rainier of Monaco’s chances of recovery are very slim, his doctors said today.

The people of Monaco were preparing for the death of their beloved ruler Prince Rainier today after his doctors were unable to say whether he would recover from the heart, lung and kidney problems that put him in intensive care.