Prince Albert acknowledges son

Prince Albert has acknowledged that he is the father of a 22 month old son named Eric Alexandre Stephane Coste.  The mother of the child is a former Air France flight attendent, Nicole Coste who is Tongolese, but holds French Citizenship. The Togolese Republic is a country in West Africa, where french is the official language.

Thierry LaCoste, a lawyer for Prince Albert, says Prince Albert desires to face up to his responsibilities. The lawyer adds that the child will not be a heir to the throne. The child could become  a Heir Apparent, which means the first in the order of sucession to a throne and this person cannot lose status due to the birth of another child. However since this child is not a heir at this time, Prince Albert would have  to marry Nicole or adopt Eric in order for him to become an heir. Prince Albert is single and has no other children.  If Prince Albert does not adopt this child, then the  throne will go to his nephew Andrea Casiraghi. Thanks to People , Paris Match , DPA, Bunte , and Reflex for the photos.
                                                                                                                                                   

Comments

Why isn’t he an heir to the throne? Is it because he is illegitimate? Also, is Prince Albert married, and with other children…I forget.

- Yonni on July 6th, 2005

Awww! *yay* for him. Although it took him long enough, sheesh!

- Maria on July 6th, 2005

I think that is great that he is fessing up to the public. Too bad that his dad didn’t get a chance to spend any real time with his grandbaby. Good luck to them both.

btw the mom is pretty too. she looks a little like serena williams

- loreal on July 6th, 2005

Yonni…I just read an article that said the constitution was amended in 2002 to accomodate the fact that the Prince was still a bachelor, and that any illegitimate children would not be considered heirs to the throne. After the Prince, it would go to his oldest sister, then to her oldest son.

- nicole on July 6th, 2005

Never mind. I read everything, and understand…

- Yonni on July 6th, 2005

he’s adorable! im glad hes owning up to it =)

- Shannon on July 6th, 2005

The baby cannot be an heir to the throne because it is illegitimate. I can not think of any country on earth that allows that, and Monaco strictly prohibits it. Unless Albert were to marry this woman (which seems unlikely), then the child has no claim to the throne and no claim to their money.

The reason it took Albert so long was because there was a mourning period for his father and he did not want to disrespect him in any way by causing a scandal during that time.

I seriously doubt the father would have wanted to spend time with the kid, which he probably knew about. He was never very friendly to Stephanie’s kids, two of whom were born out of wedlock.

- Patty on July 6th, 2005

“He was never very friendly to Stephanie’s kids”
Excuse me?
Stephanie was the child he was obviously most bonded with, so one would guess he loved her children not less than his other grandchildren…

- wild rose on July 6th, 2005

It would seem absurd for him to adopt his own son just so this innocent child can be entitled to whats naturally owed to him being that his father is royalty. I understand he wanted to respect his father’s honor but the child looks to be one or two years old. He knew about his son,so the royal family should acknowledge the child and allow him the spoils

- slim on July 6th, 2005

“the child has no claim to the throne and no claim to their money.Nope, you are wrong. According to an article, “A statement released via the prince’s lawyer said that the Prince wanted to live up to his responsibilities, and hoped the young boy would be able to live his life in privacy. The child will not be in line for the Monegasque throne, nor will he bear the Grimaldi name, added the statement. He will, however, “have the same inheritance rights as other children of the prince, should he have other children”. Albert is said to be worth about £1.4 billion.”

- - on July 6th, 2005

since that child is biologically his, I think it sucks he isnt a heir to the throne, hes no more royal than alberts sisters children.

- ellen on July 6th, 2005

This is a sad situation. It just sounds to me like that baby got cheated of a future he rightly deserves.

- crazy on July 6th, 2005

“since that child is biologically his, I think it sucks he isnt a heir to the throne, hes no more royal than alberts sisters children.”

Only Carolline’s children…

- - on July 6th, 2005

^ thats what I meant. alberts sisters’ children-aka: carolines.

- ellen on July 6th, 2005

Wild Rose, you have Stephanie mixed up with Caroline.

And whomever – is, I never said he won’t get any money. All I said is that he is not entitled to it.

- Patty on July 6th, 2005

Wasn’t prince Renier’s father or grandfather born out of wedlock? There was something back then that they had to find an heir or the principality would go back to the french.

- cramer on July 6th, 2005

I notice he fessed up after the death of his father, which makes me wonder if his father knew about the child.

- Marilyn on July 6th, 2005

Stephanie has pretty much been cut out of the line of succession because her children were born out of wedlock and she has disgraced the family quite a bit. the child should be supported by his father but as for being in line to the throne, if it’s written in the law that an illegitimate child cannot rule the country, then the child shouldn’t take away the crown from someone who has been preparing for it, which caroline’s children will through their lives.

- Nicole on July 7th, 2005

No Patty, I didn’t mix anything )

Actually, Louis and Pauline Ducruet (Stephanie’s children from her marriage) are number 7 and 8 in the line of succession. Camille was born out of wedlock, so she’s not in the line

- wild rose on July 7th, 2005

I agree with Slim and Ellen. I think it is disgraceful – Legitimate, illegitimate – whatever!! He IS Albert’s flesh & blood and he should be entitled to everything!! And that’s my two cents!!

- Jennie on July 7th, 2005

..d prince could have just used a condom and spare d poor kid all this heir,entitlements,money,legitimate,illegitimate jagon!….

- annypooh on July 8th, 2005

What a beautiful little boy!

- Heather on July 9th, 2005

Now !Hola! magazine (the Spanish version of Hello!) is saying he has a daughter in California named Jasmin. I wonder how many kids he has.

- Marilyn on July 10th, 2005

Everyone seems to be skirting the obvious.

The 1st born and only child of the the Prince of Monaco and quite possibly the future King of Monaco is “BLACK”.

Right on!!!

All Power to the people!!!

- Darryl on July 13th, 2005

Marilyn-

I read some articles… he said,”I may have more love children.”

- - on July 13th, 2005