Albert and Charlene of Monaco in mourning: sudden death of one of their relatives, support for their marriage
It is sad news that should register the main family on the Rock this Thursday: a few hours ago, the archbishop emeritus Mgr Bernard Barsi died, two years after retiring in Nice. Hospitalized this Wednesday in one of the city’s hospitals, he was first declared in stable condition by a press release from the diocese, before finally dying.with his family“.
A news that should greatly sadden the prince albert and Charlene of Monaco, since the couple, devout Catholics, had been able to count on the man of the church for the greatest moments of his life and for many Monegasque ceremonies. The saddest, in particular, like that of the death of Prince Rainier III in 2005. Appointed five years earlier at the head of the principality, the archbishop had been able to celebrate the funeral of the former husband of Grace Kelly.
Six years later, while Prince Albert II was preparing his marriage to the one who was still called Charlène Wittstock, he once again called on Bishop Bernard Barsi. At the beginning of 2015, finally, it was still he who had declared the baptism of Gabriella and Jacques of Monaco, before retiring in 2020 after a ceremony during which Albert of Monaco had made a speech. There is no doubt, therefore, that the princely couple was saddened by learning the news.
A couple of believers
Will they be present at his funeral? For the moment, nothing has been announced by the Palace but it should be noted that the ceremony of his funeral will take place, according to the diocese and the family, only after January 3, in the Monegasque cathedral. And there is no doubt that the prince and princess will want to pay him a last tribute: very attached to religion, they would smoke the chosen seriously and rub shoulders with the man of the church.
Both have notably visited Pope Francis on several occasions: their last trip to Rome to see him again was held in July and the sovereign pontiff was able to bless the photos of Jacques and Gabriella, 8 years old, their adorable twins. Princess Charlene, meanwhile, who converted to Catholicism before her marriage (she was a Protestant until then), is known to spend many hours praying in most churches in Monaco, where she would regularly lay flowers , especially for Prince Rainier.