Even though it was difficult at the time to reach the Principality, the Casino proved to be a tremendous boon to their economy. Prince Louis used the Monaco police to warn Jewish inhabitants of Monaco that they were marked to be arrested by the Gestapo, allowing them time to escape. Many visitors during this time marveled at the vast collection he had accrued. Present Constitution states that He delegates its full exercise to the courts, which administer justice in His name. In 1911, Prince Albert I adopted the first Constitution of the Principality, separating the 3 forms of power: executive, legislature and judiciary originally held by the Prince. The executive branch is under the authority of the Prince, the Government is exercised by a Minister of State who represents the Prince assisted by a Council of Government. The Minister of State and Government Counsellors are responsible to the Prince for the administration of the Principality. In 1993, the Principality of Monaco became the 183rd member of the United Nations in 1993 with full voting rights. In 2002 a new treaty between France and Monaco established that if there were no heirs to carry on the Grimaldi dynasty, the Principality would remain an independent nation.
Part of the Treaty of Versailles in July 1918 provided for limited French protection over Monaco. It was under his rule that Monaco was recognized as independent by King Charles VIII of France in 1489. Almost two centuries after François Grimaldi first captured the fortress atop the Rock of Monaco, the Grimaldi’s had achieved indisputable sovereignty over the Principality. In 1793, French Revolutionary forces captured Monaco, further exacerbating the situation of the royal family. The Prince’s family was imprisoned, freed, and then several members of his family had to enter the French army in desperation. Nevertheless, the Italian army invaded and occupied Monaco. Initially the Ligurians, the ancient people who first settled Monaco, were concerned with the strategic location of the Rock of Monaco. Jean I, who died in 1454, was succeeded by a son, Catalan. His son, Charles Grimaldi, who would come to be known as Charles I, is considered by historians to be the real founder of the Principality. In spite of the four million franc indemnity, Monaco’s reduced size and loss of the income it would have gained from Roquebrune and Menton prevented the Principality from escaping its difficult financial predicament.
The Prince represents the Principality in its dealings with foreign powers. The Prince was received at the French Court and was awarded many honors and privileges. This established that the Principality’s international policy would be aligned with French political, military, and economic interests. Prince Rainier III established the Principality’s status in the international community as well. He oversaw the addition of the Fontvieille district; a district completely recovered from the sea which increased the Principality’s surface area by 25%. He pioneered many innovative infrastructure improvements, as well as major projects such the Port Hercule transformation, which allows for more ships to dock there as well as large cruise ships, and the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, a futuristic conference and cultural center. Founded by the Phocaeans of Massalia during the 6th century, the colony of Monoikos became an important port of the Mediterranean coast. The Societé des Bains de Mer (SBM) opened the famous Monte Carlo Casino in 1863. With an ideal location, Monaco provided an enchanting setting for hotels, the theater, and a casino. Despite a lack of resources, the people of Monaco lived rather well, enjoying extensive maritime commerce and profiting from the taxes imposed on ships on their way to Italy.
Following the death of his grandfather in 1949, Prince Rainier III succeeded the throne as the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. On April 6, 2005, Prince Rainer III died after a reign of 56 years. Lucien’s son, Honoré I had two sons, Charles II and Hercule, and enjoyed a peaceful reign towards the end of his lifetime. In 1856, Charles III of Monaco (Honore IV grandson) granted a concession to Napoleon Langlois and Albert Aubert to establish a sea-bathing facility for the treatment of various diseases, and to build a German-style casino in Monaco. The Hôtel de Paris was established in 1864 by Charles III of Monaco adjacent to the casino. Prior to this point, the ruler of Monaco was referred to as “Lord of Monaco”. After Napoleon abdicated the throne in 1814, Monaco was returned to its previous state under the new rule of Honoré IV. Honoré II led Monaco through a brilliant period; his chief contribution was re-establishing Monaco’s alliance with France, which was only realized after more than ten years of negotiations.
