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http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12674684%255E401,00.html

THE WORLD

Prince 'clinically dead'
By Ian Sparks in Monte Carlo
28mar05

PRINCE Rainier, of Monaco, already is "clinically dead" but is being kept breathing by a life-support machine, sources in the Mediterranean principality say.

The ailing monarch has been in intensive care for three weeks with an acute lung infection.
As speculation grew yesterday Prince Rainier actually died on Friday, French president Jacques Chirac was preparing to dash back from an official trip to Japan.

Although Monaco is a principality, it forms an enclave in the South of France. Its relationship with its larger neighbour is crucial.

Mr Chirac would be expected to be on hand for the announcement of Prince Rainier's death and would be a key figure at the funeral.
The president is said already to have booked his flight to Nice airport to attend the funeral, as has Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, of Italy, and other heads of state.

Yesterday there were suggestions news of Prince Rainier's death was being delayed so casinos in the tax haven state could stay open until the end of the Easter tourist period, one of the most lucrative weekends of the year.

Under Monaco law, they are obliged to close for a three-day period of mourning for a death in the ruling Rainier family.

Sources claim officials decided Prince Rainier should be kept alive until after the Easter weekend.

They then would announce his death today, with the funeral next Monday, April 4.

The principality's palace said on Saturday the prince's heart, lung and kidney functions were gradually worsening. The prognosis remained "extremely guarded".

Prince Rainier's health "does not stop worsening", said a palace statement, signed by three doctors. One police source in Nice, however, said: "It's very sad but we are working as though Prince Rainier had already died. There is so much to be done from the security point of view."

The French air force plans to create a no-fly zone above Monaco for the expected gathering of world leaders at the funeral.

Prince Rainier's three children – Caroline, Albert and Stephanie – have continued to take turns visiting the Cardio-Thoracic Centre since Prince Rainier was taken to hospital on March 7.

Caroline's two sons, Andrea and Pierre, accompanied their mother to his bedside on Saturday.

Pope John Paul II, himself struggling with poor health, sent a message of support for Prince Rainier, who has overseen the tiny Mediterranean principality for more than a half-century.

The Pope sent a special blessing, the palace said yesterday.