Prince Albert of Monaco has said that he wants US President Donald Trump to be held accountable for the riots that took place on 6 January at the US Capitol in Washington D.C. that saw Trump supporters storm the Capitol while members of the Senate and House of Representatives were in session to certify the election results.
Albert is the son of the late American actress Grace Kelly who became Princess Grace of Monaco upon her marriage to Prince Rainier in 1956. Albert was born with American citizenship through his mother but renounced it upon his 21st birthday. His eldest child, Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, was born and raised in the United States.
Speaking to People, His Serene Highness said: “This is not the America I know — the one I partially grew up in, went to school in. President Trump has to be held accountable.”
He said that he was shocked at seeing people invade the Capitol building. The Prince said: “I was up at our country house, Roc Agel, so as soon as I put on the news before going to bed, there it was — live from the streets of Washington. It’s just unbelievable. I’m still in shock, but at the same time, I’m not totally surprised because, unfortunately, this is where we were heading.
“My immediate reaction was shock. My wife [Princess Charlene] had already retired and I told her afterwards. It was shock and disbelief and then it kind of quickly turned into disgust, really. But also anger about how this could have happened and how this was fueled by President Trump.”
Albert also shared that he knew there would be issues, no matter who won the November 2020 election: “It is a very somber moment, not only in the U.S. but in contemporary world history: a president still in office who has, directly and indirectly, spurred a revolt like this. I agree with those who have said that President Trump has to be held accountable for this.”
The Prince of Monaco isn’t the only royal who has shared an opinion on the riots. Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, who lives in New York City with his family, tweeted on 6 January: “When a President accepts and encourages such behaviour by the public he should no longer be president and the 25th amendment should be invoked. This is an embarrassment to democracy and to the Republic of the United States of America.”
Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on 20 January at noon.
