The Eurovision Song Contest 1972 was the 17th annual Eurovision Song Contest. It was held in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Although Monaco had won the previous year's contest, the principality was unable to meet the demands of hosting the event (on January 31, 1972, Monaco's ruler Rainier III of Monaco received a letter from the European Broadcasting Union about holding the 1972 Eurovision in Monaco, he was unable to provide a venue, the props and everything else so in February 1972, Prince Rainier declined because of the expenses).