Prince Albert and Princess Charlene speak of their sadness after relative dies at the age of 29

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco have expressed their sadness following the unexpected death of a near relation.

The Prince and Princess of Monaco said they were ‘saddened” to learn of the death of Antoine de Massy, a second cousin of Albert II.

Antoine de Massy, 29, was found dead on October 25. Nice Matin reported that he had been discovered in a park. He was a keen tennis player and left Monaco for Miami at a young age to pursue his dream. He had hoped to represent Monaco at the Olympics.

Speaking after his death was confirmed, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene said ”he was part of a family history closely linked to sports in the Principality.’

The statement from the Prince’s Palace continued ”Their Highnesses share in the grief of his family and loved ones and offer them their sincere condolences at this painful time.”

Antoine’s passion for sport was well known and he had given interviews to the European press about his ambitions. He was the son of Christian Louis de Massy and his fourth wife, Cecile Gelebale. Christian’s father, Alexandre-Athenase Noghes, had been an international tennis player.

Albert II and Antoine shared great grandparents. Antoine was the grandson of Princess Antoinette who was the elder sister of Prince Rainier III, Albert’s father, who ruled Monaco from 1949 until his death in 2005.’ Antoinette and Rainer were the children of Princess Charlotte who was born to Prince Louis II and his mistress, Marie Juliette Louvet. Louis adopted Charlotte formally when she was 20 years old and she eventually became heiress to the throne, giving up her rights in Rainier’s favour in 1944.

No further details of the death of Antoine de Massy have been reported so far.