IT WAS far from poolside romps and tabloid sleaze. When the middle member of the world's second most dysfunctional royal family made his appearance at Maynooth College yesterday evening it was all solemnly splendid.
His Serene Royal Highness (the correct way to address Prince Albert of Monaco) was just that. Looking scholarly in gold rimmed glasses and ermine trimmed robes, he wandered the college grounds.
He graciously answered questions about the latest Grimaldi family scandal pictures of his brother in law's poolside activities with an exotic dancer, splashed across the world's press.
Stephanie was "doing very well, as well as can be expected in the circumstances," he said. And his father Prince Rainier? "He was obviously upset like the rest of us."
It was 23 years since the prince visited Maynooth as a five year old with his parents and his sister, Caroline. This time he was there to receive an honorary doctorate and unveil a memorial to his late mother and her ancestors.
In the gold tasselled ceremony programme, the last visit was frozen in a photograph. The young prince with nobbly knees, an urchin hat and his father's large hands on his shoulders. His mother, Grace, looking unspeakably beautiful behind Caroline in her white knee socks and shiny shoes.
The college presented him with a copy of the family signatures when they last visited in 1963. His was a serious five year old's signature in block lettering.
After an hour in the chapel with 110 invited guests Prince Albert walked to the college's Heritage Wall, dedicated to Irish Americans.
At the "wall", Cardinal Cahal Daly unveiled a huge granite slab, dedicated to Princess Grace and her Irish American forebears, the Kelly family from Co Mayo and Pennsylvania. "Bless them and their loved ones, living and deceased," Cardinal Daly said. "May this Heritage Wall always be a symbol of truth and wisdom."
In a tent to one side, the senior academics and theologians stood respectfully and answered the responsorial psalms. But for one of them the glamour of it all was too much. "Next stop Monte Carlo", he whispered.
