Prince Albert of Monaco was joined by his wife Princess Charlene at the funeral of his first cousin Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy today.
The couple, sporting black masks, walked side-by-side as they led the funeral procession outside the Cathedral of Monaco this morning.
They were joined by Prince Albert’s sisters Princess Stephanie and Princess Caroline of Hanover, as well as Elizabeth-Ann’s children Melanie Antoinette de Massy and Jean- Leonard Taubert de Massy.
The baroness, who was the daughter of Princess Antoinette (the late Prince Rainier III’s older sister), and international tennis champion Alexandre-Athenase Noghès, died at Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco last Wednesday evening.
Her cause of death has not been revealed, and it is not clear if she was ill prior to her passing.
Prince Albert of Monaco was joined by his wife Princess Charlene (pictured left) at the funeral of his first cousin Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy today
The couple (pictured centre), sporting black masks and matching ensembles, walked side-by-side as they led the funeral procession outside the Cathedral of Monaco this morning
The baroness, who was the daughter of Princess Antoinette (the late Prince Rainier III’s older sister), and international tennis champion Alexandre-Athenase Noghès, died at Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco last Wednesday evening. Pictured, her coffin being carried towards the cathedral
Pallbearers carry the coffin of late Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy after the funeral ceremony at Monaco Cathedral
Prince Albert of Monaco (pictured left, with his wife Princess Charlene, centre) seen with his first cousin Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy (pictured right in 2008) after she died, aged 73
Leading the mourners at the cathedral were Prince Albert, 62, and his wife Princess Charlene, 42, who looked solemn as they paid their respects.
They arrived alongside Albert’s two sisters Princess Stephanie and Princess Caroline of Hanover, with all three women wearing black lace mantilla and face masks.
Monaco has embarked on a ‘gradual and cautious’ reopening process since the coronavirus lockdown, with some schools and businesses now open. Places of worship are also no longer closed, but, the number of worshippers allowed per session is limited according to facility capacity, and face masks are compulsory.
Princess Charlene opted for an elegant black dress featuring a matching belt for the funeral, while her sister-in-laws sported sophisticated coats.
Prince Albert and his wife Princess Charlene walk arm-in-arm as they leave the funeral ceremony for his first cousin Baroness Elizabeth-Ann, who died aged 73
Princess Charlene sported a lace headpiece with her long-sleeved frock, while her husband Prince Albert donned a smart black suit for the sombre occasion
The royal couple were joined by Prince Albert’s sisters Princess Stephanie and Princess Caroline of Hanover (pictured left), as well as Elizabeth-Ann’s children Melanie Antoinette de Massy and Jean- Leonard Taubert de Massy (pictured to the right of Princess Charlene)
Leading the mourners (pictured) at the cathedral were Prince Albert, 62, and his wife Princess Charlene, 42, who looked solemn as they paid their respects
The parents-of-two (pictured centre) arrived without their children and sported black masks and matching ensembles
Along with Monaco’s royal family, the tennis world also paid tribute to the baroness, who was the president of the Monegasque Tennis Federation, following her death. Sports star Rafael Nadal took to Twitter to share his ‘sincere condolences’ for Elizabeth-Ann’s family, and said she would be ‘greatly missed’.
‘As a woman who was so attached to the traditions of the Principality, she regularly took part in events bringing together all generations,’ read a statement from the Prince’s Palace the day after the baroness’ death, according to local media.
Born in Monaco on July 3 1947, Elizabeth-Ann was the first child of Princess Antoinette of Monaco, elder sister of Prince Rainier III, and Alexandre Noghès.
She is survived by two children, Jean-Léonard, who was born in 1974 from her first marriage to Baron Bernard Taubert-Natta, and Mélanie-Antoinette, born in 1985 with her second husband choreographer Nikolaï Costello.
Princess Charlene, pictured above with her husband, opted for an elegant black dress featuring a matching belt for the funeral, along with demure heels
Princess Stephanie and her sibling Princess Caroline walked side-by-side when attending the funeral. They both sported sophisticated black coats
Elizabeth-Ann’s children Melanie-Antoinette de Massy de Lusignan and Jean-Leonard Taubert-Natta de Massy stand next to Princess Charlene
Elizabeth-Ann’s son Jean-Léonard counts Prince Albert as a godfather, while the baroness is godmother to the royal’s sister Princess Stéphanie of Monaco.
The baroness was heavily involved in charity work across her home nation, and was president of the Monegasque Tennis Federation and the Monte Carlo Country Club.
She was also passionate about animal welfare, holding head roles in both Monaco’s Society for the Protection of Animals and the Canine Society of Monaco.
Charlotte Casiraghi, Pierre Casiraghi, Louis Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb leave after the funeral ceremony for late Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy at Monaco Cathedral in Monaco
Mourners wearing black face masks leave the cathedral following the ceremony. Prince Albert and his wife Princess Charlene lead the royal family down the steps of the building
Archbishop of Monaco Dominique-Marie David stands in front of Monaco Cathedral before the funeral ceremony for late Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy
Several rows of flowers are placed at the steps of the Monaco Cathedral for the funeral of Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy
The cathedral in Monaco where the funeral for Baroness Elizabeth-Ann took place this morning. The baroness was heavily involved in charity work across her home nation, and was president of the Monegasque Tennis Federation and the Monte Carlo Country Club
The tennis world paid tribute to the baroness on social media, with Rafael Nadal writing: ‘My sincere condolences to the family of Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy who died last night at the Center Hospitalier Princesse-Grace.
‘She has always been very attached to us and to the world of tennis, she will be greatly missed.’
While the Monte-Carlo Tennis Tournament said: ‘It is with great sadness and great emotion that we announce the death of Baroness Elizabeth-Ann de Massy, President of the Tournament Committee.
‘All our thoughts and our sincere affection go to her daughter, Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, as well as to her loved ones.’