Antoine de Massy, Monegasque tennis player and cousin of Prince Albert, dies aged 29

Antoine de Massy, a Monegasque tennis player and second cousin of Prince Albert II of Monaco, has died aged 29. Hello Magazine reported the death on 26 October 2026.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene said they were saddened to learn of his death. In their words, they "share in the grief" of Mr de Massy's family and loved ones, and they offered sincere condolences.

Mr de Massy's family ties run deep through the principality's history. He was the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III, Albert's father. His grandfather was Anthony Noghes, who founded the Automobile Club de Monaco. His uncle, Alexandre-Athenase Noghes, was also a tennis player from Monaco.

Tennis was central to his life from an early age. He began playing at the age of three. As a young player he left Monaco for Miami, in the United States, to pursue the sport with his father.

Hello Magazine, citing the French regional newspaper Nice-Matin, reported that Mr de Massy was found in a public garden in Monaco. The same reports said that a person had been taken into custody in connection with his death, and that an accident had not been ruled out.

Condolences for a 29-year-old's death are rarely about the headlines. For many readers, the most striking detail is how young he was, and how much of his life was spent on the court.