Hopes of Rainier recovery slim, say doctors

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

He remained in “precarious” health today after suffering heart, liver and kidney failure, and “hopes for a favourable outcome remain extremely weak”, said a statement signed by a medical team of five doctors.

However, “in full agreement” with the three children of the 81-year-old monarch, doctors considered “active therapy” justified for the time being.

The names on the statement indicated that another doctor, Claude Gibert, had joined the team from Paris’ La Pitie Salpetriere Hospital. It was the first time Rainier’s three children, Prince Albert, Princesses Caroline and Stephanie, have been mentioned in regular health updates.

Prince Albert spent his first day as regent of Monaco caring for his critically ill father who still holds the throne of the tiny principality but is too sick to perform his duties.

Albert’s official programme was still being worked out by aides who were meeting to determine if he would make a public appearance or remain discreet as his 81-year-old father remained in a hospital’s intensive care unit, a palace spokesman said.

“For the moment, Prince Albert is preoccupied with the health of his father,” the spokesman said.

Monaco’s royal powers were conferred on Albert yesterday after a royal commission, which had been appointed by Rainier, decided the elder monarch could no longer rule.

The regency means Albert, 47, who has been groomed from childhood to rule, takes over while Rainier is sick. His father, who keeps the throne, could regain the royal powers if he recovers.

The announcement made by the palace marked the first time since 1949 that Prince Rainier had not been in control of the Mediterranean realm famous as a playground for the rich and famous. Rainier is Europe’s longest-serving living monarch.

Albert’s smiling face greeted Monaco on the front page of the Monaco-Matin newspaper, replacing the gloomy headlines that have tracked Rainier’s deteriorating health since he entered intensive care 11 days ago.

“Monaco placed under the regency of Albert,” the paper said, describing the event as both “painful and historic.”

Rainier was admitted to hospital in the principality on March 7 and was moved to intensive care on March 22, when his health took a sudden turn for the worse. He was being treated for breathing, kidney and heart trouble.

Another medial bulletin was due today.

Albert is the only son of Rainier and his late wife, Grace Kelly, the American film star who exchanged Hollywood stardom for the life of a princess.