For the second time in less than six months, Prince Rainier III of Monaco has been hospitalized with a chest infection.
Rainier, 81, was admitted Monday to the same clinic where he was treated for a chest infection in October, his palace said Tuesday.
His condition had improved Tuesday but he was expected to remain hospitalized for a few more days.
Rainier, whose movie-star wife, Grace Kelly, died in a car crash in 1982, has a history of heart problems and has suffered from poor health in recent years.
“Given the medical history and respiratory problems created by this new health incident, appropriate medical surveillance and complementary examinations are necessary, and will be conducted in the coming days,” the palace said.
Rainier was also admitted to the clinic in February 2004 for a coronary lesion and a damaged blood vessel, and spent three weeks there the month before for what was described as general fatigue.
Monaco, a tiny principality famous for its casinos, Formula One Grand Prix and tax breaks that attract the rich and famous, is nestled on the Mediterranean Coast between Italy and the French Riviera. It is smaller than New York’s Central Park.