Crown Council of Monaco
Encyclopedia
The Crown Council of Monaco
is a seven-member administrative body which meets at least twice annually to advise the Prince of Monaco
on various domestic and international affairs. It is one of three such councils designated by the Principality
's Constitution
, the other two being the National Council
and the State Council.
.
At the end of March 2005, the Crown Council carried out what may have been one of its most far-reaching acts. Prince Rainier III, the Sovereign since 1949, had for some weeks been seriously ill in hospital in Monaco and the Crown Council established that Rainier was temporarily incapable of ruling. (During the period of Rainier III's incapacity, his doctors in Monaco were agreed that his ill health showed little signs of improving and, agreeing with eminent Parisian doctors who were called to give their independent opinions.)
Then-Hereditary Prince Albert was informed of the Crown Council's incapacity finding regarding Rainier III and, following the Constitution of Monaco
, was duly called upon to rule over Monaco as Regent.
The Crown Council noted, nevertheless, that if the health of Rainier III were to improve sufficiently, he would be in a position to re-assume his functions as ruler.
Prince Albert's Regency lasted but a few days into April 2005, when Rainier III died at the age of 82. He was then formally succeeded as Monaco's sovereign by Albert in his own right as Prince Albert II.
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
is a seven-member administrative body which meets at least twice annually to advise the Prince of Monaco
Prince of Monaco
The Reigning Prince or Princess of Monaco is the sovereign monarch and head of state of the Principality of Monaco. All Princes or Princesses thus far have taken the name of the House of Grimaldi, but have belonged to various other houses in male line...
on various domestic and international affairs. It is one of three such councils designated by the Principality
Principality
A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a monarch with the title of prince or princess, or by a monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince....
's Constitution
Constitution of Monaco
The Constitution of Monaco, first adopted in 1911 after the Monegasque Revolution and heavily revised by Prince Rainier III on December 17, 1962, outlines three branches of government, including several administrative offices and a number of councils, who share advisory and legislative power with...
, the other two being the National Council
National Council of Monaco
The National Council is the parliament of the Principality of Monaco. Its 24 members are elected from lists by universal suffrage for five-year terms, and though it may act independently of the Prince, he may dissolve it at any time, provided that new elections be held within three months.The...
and the State Council.
Membership
There are seven total members of the Crown Council. The Prince appoints the council's President and three other members; the final three members are chosen amongst candidates put forward by the National CouncilNational Council of Monaco
The National Council is the parliament of the Principality of Monaco. Its 24 members are elected from lists by universal suffrage for five-year terms, and though it may act independently of the Prince, he may dissolve it at any time, provided that new elections be held within three months.The...
.
Affairs
Though the Crown Council is simply an advisory committee and has no legislative power, the Prince must consult it before signing international treaties, dissolving the National Council, naturalizing citizens, or making certain other executive decisions.At the end of March 2005, the Crown Council carried out what may have been one of its most far-reaching acts. Prince Rainier III, the Sovereign since 1949, had for some weeks been seriously ill in hospital in Monaco and the Crown Council established that Rainier was temporarily incapable of ruling. (During the period of Rainier III's incapacity, his doctors in Monaco were agreed that his ill health showed little signs of improving and, agreeing with eminent Parisian doctors who were called to give their independent opinions.)
Then-Hereditary Prince Albert was informed of the Crown Council's incapacity finding regarding Rainier III and, following the Constitution of Monaco
Constitution of Monaco
The Constitution of Monaco, first adopted in 1911 after the Monegasque Revolution and heavily revised by Prince Rainier III on December 17, 1962, outlines three branches of government, including several administrative offices and a number of councils, who share advisory and legislative power with...
, was duly called upon to rule over Monaco as Regent.
The Crown Council noted, nevertheless, that if the health of Rainier III were to improve sufficiently, he would be in a position to re-assume his functions as ruler.
Prince Albert's Regency lasted but a few days into April 2005, when Rainier III died at the age of 82. He was then formally succeeded as Monaco's sovereign by Albert in his own right as Prince Albert II.
External links
- The Crown Council as described by the Government of Monaco's official website
- http://www.palais.mc/wwwpal.nsf/(NewsActu)/e639ecc20b27cd8bc1256fd5005c5427?OpenDocument The Crown Council's finding of Prince Rainier's incapacity (in French)