Prince Albert Of Monaco Lives An Insanely Lavish Life
Lifestyle News
By FELICIA LEE
History Of The Palace
Prince Albert II of Monaco’s palace was built in 1215 as a fortress of Genoa, but according to legend, in 1297, his ancestor, Francesco Grimaldi, gained entry disguised as a monk.
Once inside, Grimaldi let in his soldiers and gave Monaco control of the fortress. In the centuries to come, the family gradually converted it into a palace.
Restoration Of 500-year-old Frescoes
In 2015, the prince and his staffers were surprised when routine maintenance revealed an extensive series of 16th-century frescoes that had been painted over for unknown reasons.
Prince Albert II immediately hired a crew of restoration experts to uncover and restore the frescoes which depicted the 12 labors of Hercules and other mythological themes.
A Backyard Zoo
The palace zoo, built in 1954 by Prince Rainier III, has about 300 animals of 60 different species, including hippopotamuses, caimans, and lemurs, many of which are rescues.
Wanting to help future generations share his love for animals, Prince Albert II has expressed an interest in turning it into a petting zoo so kids could enjoy the animals up close.
An Expensive Education
Prince Albert II graduated with distinction from Lycée Albert I before doing his undergraduate studies at Amherst College in Massachusetts, a small, private liberal arts college.
Amherst is one of the most selective colleges in the U.S., admitting only 11% of those who apply, and it is also quite expensive, with a price tag of $76,800 per year.
North Pole To Antarctica
The prince’s travel adventures include a North Pole expedition by dogsled in 2006 to honor his great-grandfather, Prince Albert I, and raise awareness of climate change.
Likewise, he planned his trip to Antarctica in 2009 to give himself a better understanding of climate change and to learn about scientific research on the continent.