Founded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa, Monaco has been governed by the House of Grimaldi since 1297, except when under French control from 1789 to 1814. Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia from 1815 until 1860 by the Treaty of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. The Prince of Monaco was an absolute ruler until a constitution was published in 1911. In July 1918, a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection over Monaco. The treaty, formally famous in the Treaty of Versailles, accomplished that Monegasque policy would be aligned with French political, military, and economic interests.

Prince Rainier III, the ruler of Monaco, acceded to the throne following the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II, in 1949. The heir apparent, Prince Albert, was born in 1958. A new constitution, proclaimed in 1962, abolished capital punishment, provided for female vote, and accomplished a Supreme Court to guarantee fundamental liberties. In 1993, Monaco became an official member of the United Nations with full voting rights.