Microstructure and texture development of fiber coatings of rhabdophane-sol-derived monazite was studied. As-deposited textures and orientation relationships during phase transformations were determined by TEM. Monazite coatings had a crystallographic texture relict from that of as-deposited rhabdophane, with layers of rod-shaped particles that changed orientation by 90degrees across layers. Heat treatment at 1200degreesC of minicomposites with these coated fibers caused considerable monazite grain coarsening, and disappearance of the texture.