Languages of Monaco Monaco, their tongue was threatened with extinction in the 1970s. However, the language is now being taught in schools. In the old part of Monaco, the street signs are marked with Monégasque in addition to French. During his accession ceremonies in 2005, Albert II, Prince of Monaco, made a speech to his people in Monégasque. Standard Italian is also a major language in Monaco. Italian nationals make up 19% of the total population. Italian was the ancestral language of the ruling House of Grimaldi, and was the official language of Monaco when it was a protectorate of the Kingdom of
Crown Council of Monaco legislative power, the Prince must consult it before signing international treaties, dissolving the National Council, naturalizing citizens, or making certain other executive decisions. At the end of March 2005, the Crown Council carried out what may have been one of its most far-reaching acts. Prince Rainier, the Sovereign since 1949, had for some weeks been seriously ill in hospital in Monaco and the Crown Council established that Rainier was temporarily incapable of ruling. (During the period of Rainier III's incapacity, his doctors in Monaco were agreed that his ill health showed little signs of improving and, agreeing with eminent Parisian