Prince Hitachi, the brother of Emperor Akihito, and his wife Princess Hanako will attend the funeral of Prince Rainier III of Monaco on Friday, the government said Tuesday.

The couple, who plan to leave Japan on Wednesday, previously visited Monaco in 1995 and 1999.

The Monaco monarch died April 6 at age 81 after a battle with lung, heart and kidney problems. He married American film star Grace Kelly in 1956.

Princess Grace died in a car accident in 1982.