| More used to Grand Prix cars than dog sleighs, | | | | Monaco Grand Prix |
| Monaco's Prince Albert's forthcoming trek to the | | | | The Monaco Prince Albert inherited from his |
| North Pole has been greeted with surprise by | | | | father is now the world's best known tax haven, |
| many. | | | | and the ultimate European destination for luxury |
| But the Prince is fairly accustomed to the cold, in | | | | hotels, including the Hotel de Paris, frequently |
| contrast to the Mediterranean warmth of Monaco | | | | quoted in guides as among the top ten in the |
| where he became ruler last July following the | | | | world. |
| passing of his father Prince Rainier, who had ruled | | | | Local on-line travel guide comment that Prince |
| the tax haven for over 50 years. | | | | Albert's interest in the world's environment sets a |
| Albert represented Monaco at the last five Winter | | | | different agenda than that of his father, who |
| Olympic Games in their Bobsleigh team. And he is | | | | transformed the principality in his reign into an |
| going to face some cold and hostile conditions on | | | | economically safe country for the world's wealthy |
| his seven day trip to bring to the attention of | | | | to live and invest. |
| fellow world leaders the environmental damage to | | | | Residents of the principality enjoy a zero rated |
| the arctic regions that global warming is having. | | | | income tax. |
| Speaking at a recent news conference in Monaco, | | | | As well as being a tax haven, Monaco hosts the |
| Albert explained his thinking behind the trip to | | | | best known Formula 1 Grand Prix of the year |
| assembled journalists. | | | | around the streets of Monte Carlo and Fontveille |
| 'If in our modest way, by this action we are able | | | | in May. Over recent years Monaco has also |
| to bring environmental problems to the forefront | | | | become a destination of choice for the super-rich |
| and force some leaders to take stronger actions, | | | | in September, when it hosts the Monaco Yacht |
| this expedition will have achieved its objectives'. | | | | Show. |
| Environmentalists have welcomed Albert's | | | | And while the Grand Prix and Yacht Show fill the |
| expedition, and his image in the world's media is | | | | hotels in Monte Carlo and Monaco each year, and |
| changing from that of a playboy millionaire to a | | | | on an everyday basis every second car seems to |
| responsible leader. | | | | be an Aston Martin or Ferrari, locals hope that |
| In 2002 47 year old Prince Albert agreed to a | | | | Prince Albert doesn't look too close to home |
| DNA test to show whether he was the father to | | | | when it comes to his concern for the |
| a boy born to a former air hostess he had had a | | | | environment. Cancelling the Monaco Grand Prix in |
| relationship with, and more recently has been | | | | 2007 to show his concern for the environment |
| linked by the press with 28 year old South | | | | would certainly grab world headlines, but might not |
| African swimming champion Charlene Wittstock. | | | | be a popular decision among his subjects. |
| But one of the first actions he took after | | | | feels that there is little danger of this though - |
| succeeding to the throne was to sign the Kyoto | | | | Albert is after all the son of Hollywood star Grace |
| Protocol, taking Monaco outside of the small group | | | | Kelly, and future media appearances could just as |
| of countries that had failed to ratify the treaty, | | | | well be in celebrity magazines as environment |
| designed to reduce the world's emissions of | | | | campaign ones. |
| greenhouses gases. | | | | |