- Grace Kelly's movies were banned in Monaco by his order.
- At the time of his death he was the world's second-longest reigning monarch, after Thailand's King Bhumibol.
- Succeeded his grandfather Louis Grimaldi (Prince Louis II). Rainier's mother, Princess Charlotte, renounced her rights to succession so that he could come to the throne. (May 9, 1949)
- Drew up Monaco's latest constitution (1962), significantly reducing the power of the sovereign, ending autocratic rule, and placing power with the prince and a National Council of eighteen elected members.
- Served as a Second Lieutenant in the French army. His courage during the German counter-offensive in Alsace earned him the Croix de Guerre, the Bronze Star and the rank of Chevalier in the Legion of Honor. Although his grandfather, Prince Louis II, fought for the French during World War I, he supported the Nazi-installed Vichy government of his old army colleague, Marshall Petain, and did little when Italy invaded and occupied Monaco, setting up a fascist government. Louis's vacillation caused an enormous rift with Rainier.
- Died three days after the death of Pope John Paul II, the ruler of the world's smallest independent nation, the Vatican City. Monaco is the second smallest independent nation in the world.
- Underwent brain surgery after suffering an aneurysm in December 1999.
- Is portrayed by Tim Roth in Grace of Monaco (2014).
- Had three children: Princess Caroline of Monaco, Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Stéphanie of Monaco.
- Monegasque by nationality but is French, Italian, and Scottish by genealogy.
- Had a tumor removed from his lung on February 2nd 2000.
- Had his look-alike puppet in the French show Les Guignols de l'info (1988).
- Is portrayed by Ian McShane in Grace Kelly (1983)
- Seventh grandchild born. (1999)
- Grandfather of Jazmin Grace Grimaldi & Alexandre Coste.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content