Prince Albert of Monaco’s illegitimate daughter Jazmin Grimaldi has revealed her close relationship with his second love child Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste as she marked his 18th birthday this weekend.
Jazmin, of California, shared a series of Instagram posts from her half-brother’s birthday party on Saturday, writing: ‘It’s a celebration. Happy birthday my little brother Alexandre!’
The 29-year-old is a trained opera singer and the little-known daughter of Prince Albert, 63, and American real estate agent Tamara Rotolo.
Albert confirmed he was the biological father of Alexandre, 18, whose mother was Nicole Coste, a former Air France flight attendant from Togo, in May 2005, just before he was enthroned as Prince of Monaco,
Prince Albert of Monaco’s illegitimate daughter Jazmin Grimaldi has revealed her close relationship with his second love child Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste as she marked his 18th birthday this weekend
Albert confirmed he was the biological father of Alexandre, 18, whose mother was Nicole Coste, a former Air France flight attendant from Togo, in May 2005, just before he was enthroned as Prince of Monaco
In the snaps, the brother and sister can be seen cuddling as they join fellow party goers for Alexandre’s 18th birthday bash.
In one image, the teen stood in front of a table laden with bottles of champagne and cakes filled with sparklers.
In another rare candid snap of the half siblings, Alexandre and Jazmin can be seen beaming at the camera with their arms around one another.
A DNA test in May 2006 confirmed Albert was the father of Jazmine Grace, the result of an affair with Tamara Rotolo, an American estate agent he met while she was on holiday in the South of France.
In another rare candid snap of the half siblings, Alexandre and Jazmin can be seen beaming at the camera with their arms around one another
Albert’s wife Charlene, 43, was last seen in Monaco in January and has been in her home country of South Africa for months after contracting a ‘serious sinus infection’ (pictured last week with her husband as they reunited for the first time in months)
Her mother, then a waitress, had a fling with the monarch back in 1991, while on vacation.
Jazmine was born in the 1990s and Alexandre in 2003.
Now a real estate agent, Tamara took Jazmin to California with her and the young woman only met her father aged 11.
As such Jazmin is a descendant of Grace Kelly, who married Prince Albert’s father, Prince Rainier of Monaco in April 1956.
In the snaps, the brother and sister can be seen cuddling as they join fellow party goers for Alexandre’s 18th birthday bash
Jazmin could be seen posing for snaps at the party in a red satin skirt with a white blouse, which featured trendy puff sleeves
Jazmin’s mother Tamara, then a waitress, had a fling with the monarch back in 1991, while on vacation (pictured left together). Meanwhile Alexandre’s mother Nicole, then a flight attendant, had an affair with the Prince for years (pictured together in 2002)
Jazmin and her father now see each other regularly and are believed to have last seen one another in February 2020.
Talking about meeting her father for the first time, she said back in 2015: ‘I wanted that moment to connect with my father, to get to know him, and to have him get to know me,’ Jazmin said.
‘Not having had that figure around, I missed that. It’s wonderful that it happened when it did, and we’ve been enjoying a great relationship ever since.’
Neither Albert’s daughter Jazmin nor his son, Alexandre can claim the throne of Monaco, according to negotiated financial agreements.
The line of succession instead favours Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, who have just turned six, and who frequently appear in their parents’ social media posts.
Prince Albert of Monaco faces growing calls to reveal whether his marriage to Princess Charlene is ‘on the rocks’ after it emerges he attended Red Cross Ball with his former mistress and their love child during her South Africa hiatus
Prince Albert of Monaco is facing growing calls to reveal whether his marriage to Princess Charlene is on the rocks after he attended a ball alongside his former mistress and their love child during his wife’s extended stay in South Africa.
Images have now emerged online showing Albert’s, 63, former mistress Nicole Coste and their love child Alexandre Grimladi-Coste, 18, attending Monaco’s the Red Cross Ball alongside the royal in July, which came during Charlene’s leave of absence from the country.
Mother-of-two Charlene, 43, was last seen in Monaco in January and has been in her home country of South Africa for months after contracting a ‘serious sinus infection’. Two weeks ago she underwent a ‘four-hour operation under general anaesthesia’, although it was not made clear whether this was linked to the sinus infection.
The absence of Charlene from Monaco, which has involved missing a string of high-profile events, has led to speculation around the state of her marriage, after news emerged that Albert is facing a paternity suit over a love child born in the early years of their relationship.
Charlene and Albert reunited last week for the first time in months after Albert and their children flew to South Africa, but photographs of the pair embracing were branded ‘awkward’ by a body language expert.
In recent weeks, lifestyle magazines across Europe have speculated feverishly that the royal couple could be headed for divorce. French magazine Madame Figaro stating the images ‘failed to convince the Monegasques’ amid reports Charlene is looking for a house in Johannesburg.
French royal commentator Stéphane Bern pointed out that in Charlene’s absence, Albert had allowed Nicole Coste, an air hostess with whom he had an affair, to attend the Red Cross ball in July (pictured, Albert at the event)
Images have now emerged online showing Albert’s former mistress Nicole (left) and their love child Alexandre (right) attending the ball alongside Prince Albert
According to The Telegraph, the magazine asked: ‘How long can she remain away from her children, her duties?’
‘How long will the fight against rhinoceros poaching remain the Princess of Monaco’s top priority?
‘How long will Albert II of Monaco go on bearing this affront, which is becoming ridiculous?’
Historian Philippe Delorme said that ‘lots of people got the impression it was an arranged marriage’ between Charlene and Albert, adding: ‘Albert chose a wife who resembled his mother, and Charlene clearly felt very ill at ease in this Grace Kelly role they wanted her to play’
In photographs shared online, Nicole can be seen wearing an elegant purple gown to the event with dangling diamond earrings, while the son she shares with Prince Albert (right) opted for a blue suit
In May 2005, just before he was enthroned as Prince of Monaco, Albert confirmed he was the biological father of Alexandre, 18, whose mother was Nicole, a former Air France flight attendant from Togo (pictured together in 2002)
Former Olympic swimmer Charlene reportedly tried to flee Monaco for her native South Africa on three separate occasions before the royal wedding after discovering Albert had allegedly fathered a love child – his third – while they were together. She was seen in floods of tears on her wedding day in 2011 (pictured)
The couple recently reunited for the first time in months after Albert and their children flew to South Africa, but photographs of the pair embracing were branded ‘awkward’ by body language expert Judi James
And according to The Times, French royal commentator Stéphane Bern has stated Charlene rarely stayed in the royal palace with Albert while living in Monaco and instead lived in a flat over a luxury chocolate shop.
He pointed out that in Charlene’s absence, Albert had allowed Nicole, an air hostess with whom he had an affair, to attend the Red Cross ball.
The son who was born of that affair, Alexandre, 18, also attended the event in July.
In May 2005, just before he was enthroned as Prince of Monaco, Albert confirmed he was the biological father of Alexandre, whose mother is Nicole, a former Air France flight attendant from Togo.
Neither Alexandre nor his half sister Jazmin can claim the throne of Monaco, according to negotiated financial agreements.
The line of succession instead favours Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, who have just turned six, and who frequently appear in their parents’ social media posts.
Nicole previously said that after Albert married Charlene, the royal distanced himself from his son.
She told the Mail On Sunday in 2014: ‘The truth is that, I’m sorry to say, Albert hasn’t seen Alexandre since a brief visit last September. It has become impossible since he married that girl.
‘I suppose as a new wife, how would one feel? But she should think about my innocent child.
‘I don’t want to attack her but I think it is just jealousy and I don’t know why. I have been through hell in my fight for my son’s name and future.’
The mounting speculation about the couple’s marriage comes days after Charlene shared professional photographs of her reunion with Prince Albert online, saying she was ‘thrilled’ to have her family back.
Last week, she shared a series of photos cuddled up with her kids in South Africa with the caption: ‘I am so thrilled to have my family back with me (Gabriella decided to give herself a haircut!!!) Sorry my Bella I tried my best to fix it,’ referring to her daughter’s choppy fringe.
However a body language expert told FEMAIL Princess Charlene showed ‘no emotional bond’ towards her husband Prince Albert in the images.
Judi James said that rather than being the loved-up reunion photo one would expect of a couple surrounded by split rumours, the royals’ poses suggested ‘no signs of connection between awkward-looking Albert and Charlene’.
Albert and six-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella will stay with former Olympic swimmer Charlene while she recovers, the palace previously announced, although it is not clear how long their stay will be, but the princess will not return to Monaco until at least the end of October.
Charlene has been in South Africa since at least March, with media reports suggesting she is looking for a house there.
The prince, who already supports two illegitimate children, is alleged to have been in a relationship with a Brazilian woman which resulted in a daughter in 2005.
The claim, which his lawyers dismissed as a ‘hoax’, is particularly painful as he was dating Charlene at the time, having met in 2000.
However, Charlene has publicly supported her husband, and the palace have reiterated she is only in South Africa because she’s unable to fly.
On August 13, the Monaco palace released a statement saying Charlene was to undergo surgery.
It read: ‘Princess Charlene will undergo an operation today, Friday, August 13, for four hours under general anaesthesia.
On June 3, Charlene shared photograph of her family on safari in South Africa as her twins and husband flew to South Africa to celebrate her niece Avia’s fifth birthday.
In a snap showing the last time they were seen together, Albert, Jacques and Gabriella, were joined in an open top car by Charlene’s brother Sean Wittstock, 37, and his children. She captioned it with a simple heart emoji.
In earlier snaps, the family gathered around a birthday cake with Sean, his wife Chantell, 34, their eldest son Raigen, 7, and the birthday girl.
‘Happy 5th Birthday, Aiva! Love, Auntie Charlene,’ she wrote.
‘Prince Albert and their children, Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella will join her during her recovery period.’
The princess will not return to Monaco until at least the end of October.
Princess Charlene, who has been well enough to conduct interviews from South Africa and has been seen out and about, has used the time to promote her anti-poaching initiative, Chasing Zero
Charlene’s last formal engagement was on January 27 when she joined Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monte Carlo. She has not been seen at home since.
Instead she has been keeping followers updated through social media posts and media interviews, in which she has spoken candidly about missing her children and described her husband as ‘her rock’.
Speaking to South Africa Radio 702’s host Mandy Wiener last week, the royal said: ‘[It’s] very frustrating, terribly frustrating. I can’t wait to get back to them, I can’t wait to see my children.’
Charlene revealed: ‘It’s the longest period I’ve actually been away from Europe, let alone my children, but I’m FaceTiming them most days and they’ve been here and will be returning to see me again after my procedure.
‘It’s an amazing opportunity [to be here] but I’m very sad I can’t be with my children this summer in Europe.’
She added that she was initially only supposed to be in her native South Africa for ten to 12 days for a conservation trip with her Princess Charlene of Monaco foundation.
However, the royal had a problem ‘equalising her ears’ and was told by a doctor that she was suffering from a serious sinus infection.
‘It’s taken time to address the problem that I’m having,’ explained Charlene. ‘I cannot go into full detail, but I cannot force healing so I will be grounded in South Africa until the end of October.
‘The reason being I cannot fly above 3,000 metres otherwise I’ll have a problem with my ears.
‘I feel well, I feel good, it’s just obviously a waiting game for me, but I’ve had a great opportunity to understand a little bit more about South Africa, the environment, the needs and it’s been wonderful to be back in South Africa, and I think at this time it’s crucial that people are aware of certain things via my foundation.’
Charlene joined the video interview from bush country in the KwaZulu-Natal region.
She has also shared videos released by the Monaco royal palace to mark her and Albert’s 10th wedding anniversary, which took place in July. The couple spent the milestone thousands of miles apart.
But royal sources have suggested the princess has ‘no plans’ to return soon.
A palace source told Paris Match: ‘The Princess has, for the time being, in reality, no intention of returning.’
The separation is also affecting Charlene’s relationship with the people of Monaco.
Stéphane Bearn uses an impeccably sourced piece in the latest Paris Match to discuss the torturous separation.
He describes subjects in Monaco becoming increasingly angry about their runaway Princess, as they criticise everything from Charlene’s mood swings to her appearance.
‘In Monaco, since the departure of Charlene, tongues have loosened,’ Mr Bearn writes.
‘In the whirlwind of a hard-nosed court, her fine shine is rubbing off. Her sad looks are regarded as haggard.
‘Disappointed Monegasques talk about her anger, her whimsical moods, which are as changeable as her hair.’
The family flew out to be with Princess Charlene in South Africa as she recovers from a mystery operation
Charlene, 43, who was last seen in Monaco in January, shared professional photographs of their reunion on Instagram (pictured). She joked her daughter Gabriella (left) had given herself a haircut
Mummy’s boy: Princess Charlene poses with her son Jacques, who is heir to the Monaco throne. She said she was delighted to be back with her family. The family were last together at the start of June, when Albert and the children flew out to South Africa to be with Charlene
Play time! Twins Jacques and Gabriella climb a tree in one of the photos shared on Instagram. Albert and six-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella will stay with Charlene while she recovers, the palace previously announced, although it is not clear how long their stay will be
Last Monaco outing together: Charlene and Albert were last pictured together at an official event together in January at the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco. Albert has made a few visits to South Africa since
Last seen together: Albert and the twins paid a brief visit to South Africa in early June (pictured), the Palace has confirmed, but they otherwise keep in touch via video link. They are pictured with Charlene’s brother brother Sean Wittstock, 37, and his son Raigen, seven, and daughter Aiva, five
The former Olympian, 43, has not been seen in Monaco since January and has spent the last few months holed up in her native South Africa while she receives treatment for a ‘serious sinus infection’ she developed while on a solo visit trip to the country (pictured)
Referring to the couple’s twins, who until now have remained in Monaco with their nannies, Mr Bearn writes: ‘The Palace had to invoke a suffering Princess so often that the Monegasques today find it hard to believe.
‘By crying wolf, the mother of Jacques and Gabriella would have discredited and isolated herself.’
During her trip, Charlene also debuted a dramatic new shaved hairstyle.
She showcased the ‘French crop’ hairdo – featuring a longer strip on top of the head and dramatically shaved back and sides – in snaps shared on her charity’s Instagram page in late May.
The royal first stepped out with a dramatic half-shaved head in December 2020 but has since gone even shorter and bolder with the cut.
Charlene and Albert’s marriage has been plagued with rumours from the start.
The couple met at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo in 2000, announced their engagement in 2010.
Former Olympic swimmer Charlene reportedly tried to flee Monaco for her native South Africa on three separate occasions before the royal wedding after discovering Albert had allegedly fathered a love child – his third – while they were together.
Monaco officials were said to have coaxed her back by brokering a deal between the Prince and his reluctant bride, saying she could leave once she had provided him with a legitimate heir.
One source said at the time: ‘Charlene will provide an heir, then if things don’t go well, she will receive a generous divorce settlement once she’s served a decent amount of time.’
Charlene was seen in floods of tears on her wedding day in 2011.
Just one year after their wedding, it was reported that Charlene was ‘depressed’ at her failure to provide her husband with a legitimate heir.
Her pregnancy was announced in May 2014, and in December that year she gave birth to twins Princess Gabriella and heir to the throne Prince Jacques.
In the 10 years since, Charlene has rarely spoken publicly of her experience.
In 2017, the Princess made an emotional return to Africa, where she spoke about how much the continent means to her.
‘I am African and this is my heritage. It will always be. It’s in my heart and in my veins,’ she told Eyewitness News.
Last year she admitted life was ‘very painful’, saying: ‘I have the privilege of having this life, but I miss my family and my friends in South Africa and I’m often sad because I cannot always be there for them.’
It’s been a tumultuous start to the year for the royal, after news emerged that her husband is facing a paternity suit over a love child born in the early years of their relationship.
The 34-year-old claimant – who cannot be named for legal reasons – says she had a passionate affair with Albert, leading to the birth of their daughter – whose name is also classified – on July 4, 2005.
Albert received a handwritten letter from the child, who is now 15, in September last year reading: ‘I don’t understand why I grew up without a father, and now that I have found you, you don’t want to see me.’
Legal papers were also filed, as lawyers for the claimant called on Albert to undergo a DNA test – just as he did before finally being identified as the father of two illegitimate children born in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In January, Charlene spoke publicly for the first time since the allegations, telling Point de Vue: ‘When my husband has problems, he tells me about it. I often tell him, “No matter what, no matter what, I’m a thousand percent behind you. I’ll stand by you whatever you do, in good times or in bad.”
The mother-of-two went on to say she also often tells her husband she will ‘protect him’ and will ‘always be by his side.’
Charlene, who was raised in South Africa and represented the country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, travelled to Thanda Safari in KwaZulu-Natal in January to learn more about being done by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa to help save rhinos from poachers.
The princess took part in conservation operations including rhino monitoring and tracking, deployment with the Anti-Poaching Unit, educational wildlife photography sessions, and a White Rhino dart and dehorning exercise.
Keeping up appearances! How Monaco’s royal palace released a series of videos showing Prince Albert and Charlene’s romance while they were thousands of miles apart
While Charlene hasn’t returned to Monaco since October, the royal court has released a series of videos celebrating the love story of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.
The latest video was shared on Instagram as part of a series of clips celebrating the couple’s 10th anniversary, which took place on 1st July.
Entitled ‘One Country, One Family,’ the sweet footage focuses on Princess Charlene, 43 and 63-year-old Albert’s twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, six.
The heartwarming video follows Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques as they take their first steps in Monaco’s public life – from the very moment their proud parents introduced them to the public from the palace’s balcony following their birth on December 10, 2014.
The twins’ baptism follows, including a series of footage where the adorable newborns accompany their parents throughout Monaco’s annual events – including Sainte Devote celebrations.
The slickly-produced videos capture the twins as they turn from quiet babies to independent six-year-olds, attending their country’s national events with the poise of seasoned royals.
Among other moments captured is Princess Gabriella taking the mic from her mother’s hands during an event when she was two, and the twins enjoying a ride a merry-go-round.
The twins have been part of Monaco’s public holidays since their birth, including the Principality’s national day in 2015, pictured
The Royal Palace of Monaco has released a new video highlighting the important place the children of Princess Charlene, 43 and Prince Albert, 63, hold in the heart of Monaco’s public life. Twins Princess Gabrielle and Prince Jacques were born on December 10 2014 and were presented to the public a few days later, pictured
Alongside the video, an accompanying post reads: ‘Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene watch over Their children’s first steps into official life, which is closely associated with the history and traditions of Monaco.’
‘Every year, Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella take part in the festivities of the cavagnetù, the back-to-school picnic, the setting ablaze of the boat of Saint Devote, the Principality’s patron saint, every 26 January, and in June, they attend the batafoegu, the bonfire lit on the Palace Square for St John’s Day.’
It continues: ‘Visits to the elderly, sporting events, awareness-raising operations for the protection of nature.’
‘The Marquis des Baux and the Countess of Carladès, now six years old, tenderly guided by Their Parents, discover the major events that punctuate the official calendar and celebrate the links between Monegasques and the Prince’s Family,’
‘On 19 November 2020, they joined the National Day ceremonies organised in the Cour d’Honneur of the Grimaldi residence for the first time.’
Days before Monaco’s royal palace has released another video celebrating Prince Albert and Princess Charlene’s joint engagements.
The video, titled ‘work together for a more sustainable and inclusive future’, was released on the palace’s Instagram account yesterday and shows the couple on state visits, at charity events and rubbing shoulders with Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry.
The official Palais Princier de Monaco Instagram account has also shared a video titled, ‘two paths, one destination’, charting Charlene and Albert’s lives before they met each other.
The clips cover the fanfare that surrounded Albert’s birth, his time on the Monaco Winter Olympic bobsleigh team and his early years as a working royal, as well as Charlene’s journey from South African schoolgirl to Olympic swimmer.
The 1 minute 50 second video ends with Albert clapping Charlene at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo in 2000, where the two first met.
In early July, Princess Charlene shared a slickly-produced video documenting her royal wedding to Prince Albert on Instagram, a day after the couple spent their 10th anniversary apart.
The two-minute long video, titled ‘Chapter 1: A New Princess for Monaco’, on her official account this morning.
Set to stirring classical music, the video montage offers a behind-the-scenes look at the extraordinary time, effort and cost that went into staging the couple’s civil wedding on July 1, 2011. A religious ceremony was held the following day and a two-day national holiday was declared to mark the occasion.
Clips show Charlene and Alber, exchanging vows in front of close family and friends in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace, and sharing a kiss on the palace balcony to the delight of a cheering crowd. The couple also appeared on stage together at a celebratory concert for the public.