Monaco Prince Takes Pole Position

More used to Grand Prix cars than dog sleighs,Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco's Prince Albert's forthcoming trek to theThe Monaco Prince Albert inherited from his
North Pole has been greeted with surprise byfather 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, inhotels, including the Hotel de Paris, frequently
contrast to the Mediterranean warmth of Monacoquoted in guides as among the top ten in the
where he became ruler last July following theworld.
passing of his father Prince Rainier, who had ruledLocal 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 Winterdifferent agenda than that of his father, who
Olympic Games in their Bobsleigh team. And he istransformed the principality in his reign into an
going to face some cold and hostile conditions oneconomically safe country for the world's wealthy
his seven day trip to bring to the attention ofto live and invest.
fellow world leaders the environmental damage toResidents 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 tobest 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 ablein May. Over recent years Monaco has also
to bring environmental problems to the forefrontbecome 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'sAnd while the Grand Prix and Yacht Show fill the
expedition, and his image in the world's media ishotels in Monte Carlo and Monaco each year, and
changing from that of a playboy millionaire to aon 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 aPrince Albert doesn't look too close to home
DNA test to show whether he was the father towhen it comes to his concern for the
a boy born to a former air hostess he had had aenvironment. Cancelling the Monaco Grand Prix in
relationship with, and more recently has been2007 to show his concern for the environment
linked by the press with 28 year old Southwould 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 afterfeels that there is little danger of this though -
succeeding to the throne was to sign the KyotoAlbert is after all the son of Hollywood star Grace
Protocol, taking Monaco outside of the small groupKelly, 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 ofcampaign ones.
greenhouses gases.