The History of Monaco in 7 Key Dates
1297 – The capture of Monaco by François Grimaldi
It was in 1297 that the history of the Grimaldi family became intertwined with that of Monaco. This period saw Genoa embroiled in internal strife between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. On the night of 8 January, the Guelph François Grimaldi, known as ‘Malizia’, disguised himself as a monk and used this ruse to seize the fortress.
It is, in fact, since this feat of arms that the Grimaldi coat of arms has been flanked by two monks brandishing a sword, and the statue on the Place du Palais commemorates this founding episode.
1866 – Founding of Monte-Carlo
Prince Charles III played a key role in the Principality’s development, notably by lending his name to the new town that sprang up on the Spélugues plateau.
As early as 1858, he conceived the idea of a district dedicated to sea bathing and leisure. This ambitious project quickly took shape with the construction of the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo and the Hôtel de Paris, which were inaugurated in 1863 and 1864 respectively. In his honour, Charles III officially named this district ‘Monte-Carlo’. Hotels, cafés and restaurants subsequently sprang up rapidly. Charles III thus laid the foundations for modern Monaco.
1911 – First constitution under Albert I
Responding to the aspirations of his people, Prince Albert I established an institutional framework. In 1911, the Principality of Monaco thus adopted a constitution and entered the era of political modernity.
The 1911 constitution organised the government and established a division of legislative power between the Prince and a Conseil National, whose members were elected from among men of Monegasque nationality.
The 1962 Constitution, under the reign of Rainier III, evolved to ensure greater respect for fundamental, political, economic and social freedoms. Women were granted the right to vote in all elections and the death penalty was abolished.
1949 – Rainier III’s accession to the throne
Rainier III was just 26 years old when he succeeded his grandfather, Prince Louis II. He thus became the youngest sovereign in Europe.
That same year, the Principality signed the Convention of Accession to UNESCO, the UN specialised agency responsible for culture, education and science.
This also marked the start of major development projects. Rainier III, the ‘Prince Builder’, decided to revitalise Monaco by breathing new life into it. This programme of major works was so significant that it increased Monaco’s territory by more than a fifth of its total area.
1956 – The wedding of Rainier III
Some unions go down in history… The marriage between Rainier III and Grace Kelly remains etched in people’s memories to this day. After being introduced on the Rock in 1955, the Hollywood star decided to become a princess for love a year later.
This unique union became the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television: a live black-and-white broadcast watched by 30 million viewers, with 1,800 journalists in attendance.
1993 – Monaco’s accession to the UN
Having held observer status since 1956, the Principality became, on 28 May 1993, the 183rd Member State of the United Nations, having previously joined UNESCO, the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948 and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1957.
This was a policy close to the heart of Prince Rainier III, who wished for Monaco to play a full and equal role in the community of nations. In 2004, the Principality also joined the Council of Europe.
2005 – Accession to the throne of Prince Albert II
At the age of 47, Albert II was enthroned in the Throne Room following the death of Rainier III on 6 April 2005. It was a moment that left a lasting impression on the Monegasques, who had gathered for the occasion in the Place du Palais. From the very start of his reign, the Prince demonstrated his commitment to the environment, a cause that would become one of the priorities of his policy.
Bonus – 2050 – Carbon neutrality
Because whilst history is important, the future is essential: let’s choose a forward-looking date. 2050 is the year in which Monaco hopes to achieve carbon neutrality, as announced in 2015 at the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Under the leadership of the Sovereign Prince, Monaco is pursuing a determined policy of sustainable development. The Principality is working hard towards this goal and has also announced an interim target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.