Monaco's Rainier hospitalised

Prince Ranier and his son and heir, Crown Prince Albert

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MONTE CARLO, Monaco (CNN) -- Prince Rainier of Monaco has been hospitalised with a chest infection, his palace said.

Rainier, 79, was admitted on Saturday to the Centre Cardio-Thoracique de Monaco, a heart and chest clinic, "because of a bronchial pulmonary infection," the palace press bureau said in a statement.

Despite improvement in his condition since he was admitted, Rainier will need to remain in the hospital for several days, the statement said.

Rainier is Europe's longest-serving monarch. He has ruled the tiny country on the French Riviera for 53 years, and his family -- the Grimaldis -- have been in power there since 1297.

Rainier was married to film star Grace Kelly, who became known as Princess Grace. She died in a car crash in 1982.

The glamorous couple had three children, daughters Caroline and Stephanie -- who were tabloid favourites because of their failed marriages and Stephanie's ill-fated singing career -- and son Albert, who is heir to the throne.

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