MOSCOW, April 6 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences Wednesday over the death of Prince Rainier of Monaco, Interfax news agency reported.
Rainier died Wednesday of multiple organ failure. He had been hospitalized since March 7.
"I express my sincerest condolences over this heavy loss," the Russian leader said in his message to Rainier's son and successor, Prince Albert II.
"Rainier II will remain in our memory as a gallant warrior who fought for the liberation of Europe during World War II, as a wise ruler who has done a great deal for the prosperity of Monaco and its subjects and for the international prestige of the principality, and as an enlightened patron of science and arts," the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying in a telegram to Albert.
Putin expressed his confidence that Albert would be "a worthy successor" to his father, Interfax said.
