Prince Albert on Monaco throne

PRINCE Albert made his first official appearance since assuming Monaco’s royal powers from his critically ill father, attending mass for the late Pope John Paul yesterday.

Albert, the only son of ailing Prince Rainier and his late film star wife Grace Kelly, was accompanied at Monaco’s cathedral by one of his sisters, Princess Caroline.

There was no update yesterday from the palace on the health of 81-year-old Rainier, who has been in intensive care since March 22 with heart, kidney and breathing problems.