Antoine de Massy, Prince Albert II’s first cousin once removed, has died aged 29, the Prince’s Palace announced on Monday 26th October.
He was the son of Christian de Massy, Prince Albert II’s first cousin, and the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III and aunt of the current Sovereign.
“Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène learned with sadness of the death of Antoine de Massy, aged 29, grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III,” the Palace said in its communiqué on Monday.
A family connection to Monaco tennis
The Palace paid tribute to his enthusiasm for a sport closely associated with his family: “Passionate about tennis, he was part of a family history closely linked to the sport in the Principality.”
Antoine began playing as a young child. In a 2012 interview with L’Uomo Vogue, he recalled being introduced to tennis by his father at the age of three. He later moved from Monaco to Florida to pursue intensive training alongside his schooling, speaking of his admiration for Novak Djokovic and his ambition to represent Monaco at the Olympic Games.
His grandfather, Alexandre-Athenase Noghès, was a Monegasque tennis player. His aunt Elizabeth-Ann de Massy led both the Monte-Carlo Country Club and the Monegasque Tennis Federation until her death in 2020. Her daughter, Antoine’s cousin Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, now heads those institutions and the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
“Their Highnesses share in the grief of his family and loved ones and extend their sincere condolences at this painful time,” the Palace concluded.
According to Monaco-Matin, Antoine’s body was found on Sunday in a garden behind Villa Sauber, near Boulevard du Larvotto, after he failed to attend a family lunch. Monaco’s prosecutor general told the newspaper that an investigation had been opened to establish the cause of death. One person was arrested on Monday morning after police reviewed CCTV footage; they may be considered a witness. The cause of death has not been established.
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