Zinneke, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wiki Commons

Prince Albert II of Monaco has fired two cannons linked to the birth of his father, Prince Rainer III.

The Sovereign Prince was joined by his sisters, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie, as the two historic guns were put back into use.

The cannons, on the Fort Antoine Esplanade in Monaco, were used a century ago to signal the birth of Prince Rainier.

They were fired to mark the arrival of the prince on May 31st 1923.

They have been restored to mark the centenary of the birth of Rainier who went on to be one of the most celebrated of all Monaco’s rulers and among the most famous royals of the 20th century.

Prince Albert II fired the cannons alongside his wife, Princess Charlene.

Princess Stephanie’s son, Louis Ducruet, was also present for the twilight ceremony.

The guns may be fired again on November 19th, Monaco’s National Day, when a salute traditionally takes place.