Jolie-Pitt twins will be received "with great honor" in Nice

As the world awaits the big announcement that the Jolie-Pitt twins have made their debut, the mayor of Nice is already welcoming them as ‘honorary citizens’ of the resort city.  Under French law, being born in the country isn’t enough to obtain citizenship; rather, when children turn 18, they have the choice of becoming a citizen if they have lived in France for five years after their 11th birthday.  This option will be honorarily bestowed upon the two newest members of the Jolie-Pitt family.

While the twins may choose to forgo their rights to French citizenship, the mayor shares that whatever their choice, it has been "a very great honor and a great satisfaction" knowing that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt picked the Riviera spot to expand their family.  Calling the two babies-to-be "little Nicois," mayor Christian Estrosi — who wishes the family "a lot of joy … and great success for all of their lives" — wants the world to know that "all their lives they will be Nicois and all their life they will be able to come to Nice and we will receive them with great honor."

The babies — expected to arrive "within the coming weeks" — will be Angelina and Brad’s fifth and sixth children.  The couple’s four other kids each have their own special birth place, with Maddox Chivan, 6 ½, being born in Cambodia, Pax Thien, 4 ½, being born in Vietnam, Zahara Marley, 3 ½, being born in Ethiopia, and Shiloh Nouvel, 2, who arrived in Namibia. 

Source: Associated Press; Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images.

Comments

Christine M on July 7th, 2008

It’s nice that each of the chilren have individual heritages and birth places. I don’t understand why the twins will be received with “great honour” when they come to Nice. I really admire Angelina and Brad but at the end of the day the twins are just kids

phoebe on July 7th, 2008

Christine, I completely agree. The world has gone totally overboard with these babies. I’m looking forward to hearing news on this pregnancy and birth but the children shouldn’t be treated any differently than others and the mayor realise this. I remember something similar coming out when Shiloh was born. All children should be recieved with great honour, not just the famous ones!

Jade on July 7th, 2008

I’m French, from the south of France, and I know it’s silly but I can’t help but be happy Angelina and Brad love my country and that their babies will be born near my town. And I like that Maddox goes to a French school and it makes me happy to hear Angelina speak French too. I’m not patriotic or something it’s just and odd connection.

That being said the mayor is probably happy because of the publicity it attracts for his town. Nice is a beautiful town that lives a lot thanks to tourism.The free publicity is good. It’ll bring money.

Same thing in Namibia. I remember that the tourism rate had gone up after Shiloh’s birth. It’s silly but there’s no harm being done. It doesn’t bother me.

stephanie on July 7th, 2008

How many of us even knew Namibia exist before Angelina gave birth there? And of course the hundreds of paparazzi who followed them around have to eat and stay somewhere. This is good publicity for the country.

Jen on July 7th, 2008

The real question I want to know is: Will Angelina tattoo the longitude and latitude of the twins’ birthplace (like she did for her other kids) on her arm TWICE or only once?

phoebe on July 7th, 2008

I don’t think it’s the geographical publicity that I and others are objecting to, it’s the whole thing about ‘great honour’ and that. Those babies might be very famous before they’re even born, but they are just two little children who should be, and deserve to be, treated like any other child in the world, and with people already intending to treat them differently, what chance do they have of a normal life? My point was that all children are precious, not just the Jolie-Pitts!

Hanna on July 7th, 2008

Sorry but she is not the first woman to have twins and the babies are no new Jesus’

sil on July 7th, 2008

i’m sorry…but this is ridiculous. I mean, they are a couple of good actors, good parents as many others…so why the Jolie-Pitt twins should be received with “great honour”…my gosh, sounds absurd to me.

sil on July 7th, 2008

well said phoebe!!!

Alice on July 7th, 2008

Isn’t this a little pathetic? I’m French and as Jade said I’m happy that they will be born here, but why the special honor? And why allow them to have citizenship when they’re older? Not that I don’t want them to have it, but it’s weird! They’re babies, not even children of political personnalities or royals (which would make a little more sense with the whole citizenship thing) but just of super famous actors.
This is going way overboard IMO.

h on July 7th, 2008

I agree they shouldn’t be rec’d with more honour than anyone else….

I also wonder if they will ever adopt or have a biological child in the USA. After all, there are plenty of kids needing homes there too.

Eleonora on July 7th, 2008

I really love the Jolie-Pitts but I totally agree with sil: they are famous stars but this is ridicolous!

Crystal V on July 7th, 2008

Received with “great honour”? That’s ridiculous! What makes these kids better than any other kids? Are all kids received in Nice with “great honour”?
I, along wit most of the world, am excited to see what sex the babies are and what their names are… but they aren’t better than any other kids!! And it makes me mad that people would put these kids on such high pedestals just because of who their parents are!
**Just my opinion**

ali on July 7th, 2008

I am pretty suspicious that a Mayor has the authority to bypass French Citizenship Law. Infact im almost sure this wouldnt be allowed..

Jade on July 7th, 2008

I just think the mayor is happy. There won’t be any ceremony or anything!

Alice, them being able to have citizenship when they’re older if they have lived in France for five years after their 11th birthday is just the French law. I doubt they will have the option since I doubt they will live in France.

Anyway these babies will be famous whether we – or their parents -like it or not.

None of Angie and Brad children are treated like non famous children. The fact that there are websites dedicated to celebrity children is a testimony of this fact.

Anyway I can’t wait for the birth. It’ll end the circus since Angelina has said she wants to disappear for a while after their birth.

Nadia on July 7th, 2008

“They’re babies, not even children of political personnalities or royals (which would make a little more sense with the whole citizenship thing) but just of super famous actors.”
They are not just super famous actors! They have not been this famous just because of their movies.Besides, why is it ok with the children of politicians or royals but not with children of two great people being active in humanitarian causes.
In my opinion, being so active to help people around the world, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are nothing less than Politicians or Royals.

carla on July 7th, 2008

this is ridiculous and
it is not jolie pitt fault,they didnt ask anything….people are acting weird!
yes they did the press conference but people were saying she was faking the pregnancy or that the twins were born and she was lying
and now she is in hospital they say something is wrong!they cant win

gala on July 7th, 2008

actually Christian Estrosi used to be a minister so I’m sure he still has power and connections, plus he’s close to the President Sarkozy.

Alexa on July 7th, 2008

Although I am very happy for them and also have no problem in them choosing wherever they wish their babies to be born, I don’t understand why they should be given special privileges. Why should they get to bypass the system and be allowed french citizenship when there are thousands if other people who would kill for that option, even after going through all of the other channels.
I’m not begrudging them this opportunity, however I can’t see why two children, who happen to have very famous parents, get to have this choice when there are others, refugees etc who are denied it. Not only does this give them French citizenship, it also gives them European citizenship, and all that that entails. They are two lucky babies!

stephanie on July 7th, 2008

What I meant was, the babies brought a lot of publicity to the country, this is a token of their gratitude, so to speak. I’d compare it to American Idol finalists going back to their hometown and the mayor declare it so-and-so day in Wherever, USA. I don’t think the Nice mayor meant “honor” like they’re going to make the babies’ birthday a national holiday or something like that, at least I hope not!

mary on July 7th, 2008

Funny, again, Angelina and Brad are getting beat up because of something that someone else did. Maybe you should be faulting the mayor for seeking publicity for the city, not them. The government officials in Namibia did the same thing if you remember. It is the others around them that seek publicity, not Angelina and Brad. They haven’t been seen in weeks (except for short glimpses of Brad), so it is hardly them looking for this.

When will this couple catch a break!

Lynsey on July 7th, 2008

France, IMO, already has plenty of publicity. Millions of tourists come to the country every year for many things. This is a completely different case than Namibia.

It is different with a political personality or a royal, because they have direct ties to certain countries due to their standing. This child is just the child of two American actors. Sure they may do humanitarian works, but that does not (or it should not) mean that their children should get special treatment.

Jacky on July 7th, 2008

Nadia, Brad & Angelina are nowhere NEAR royalty. I find that quite offensive.

and “h”, there are also plenty of children around the world I don’t think there’s any reason why they should have to adopt from the US.

Renee on July 7th, 2008

Mary, this couple will never catch a break. People just hate them for any small reason even if it’s something like this that they have nothing to do with.

Cait on July 7th, 2008

Seriously. Must there always be such negativity in comments? It’s sad when I have to remind myself sometimes that most of these commenters are women who are older than myself and have their own children. Must people always find something wrong with everything that is posted and/or said?

Obviously, there are the people that have nice things to say and positive comments, but it’s sad when the negative outweighs the positive.

phoebe on July 7th, 2008

Mary, I think you’ve missed the point, or mis-read what has been written. No one on this post that I can see has AT ALL been criticising Brad and Angelina, it’s been the mayor of Nice and the comments about the twin’s future. I don’t know where it’s come from that people are having a go at the couple, it’s not about them at all.

Amanda on July 7th, 2008

I reckon they’ll end up living in France sooner rather than later so the whole family could become French citizens.

carie on July 7th, 2008

What a cool thing for the mayor to do. They’re obviously honored that the Jolie-Pitts chose that area to temporarily reside and have their two new children. Really, it seems no different than when here in America, the mayor labels some random day being American Idol person’s name, etc. My assumption as to why the family is learning French is because over 115 million people of African countries speak French. Given her work as an ambassador in those areas, French comes in handy. I assume she is raising her children with the ideals that led her to work with these aid organizations, hopes they will someday do so too, and so being fluent in many languages will be beneficial for them.
I agree with the above that if you’re angry, or jealous, or feel somehow personally slighted enough to rant about this honor, take it out on the Mayor. The mayor made the decision, the mayor and the town get publicity. Someone above said France has enough publicity. Give me a break, I don’t read about Nice, France in the mainstream news sites everyday on a regular basis. Only now I hear about the town because of the Jolie-Pitts being there. If you think there isn’t a segment of people who would visit there, become familiar with it, only b/c of the Jolie-Pitts, you’re out of touch with fandom of the world. I also do consider Angelina Jolie political. She rubs elbows with presidents, defense ministers, prime ministers, Jeffrey Sachs, etc. She’s considered probably the most committed, involved, knowledgeable appointed ambassador out there. She goes to war zones, she doesn’t just go to American fundraisers for Darfur. She GOES to Darfur. She is a “celebrity” in her own right in that world of humanitarian efforts and politics.

sarah on July 7th, 2008

wow what a international family.
i think she will have twin girls.

Alice on July 7th, 2008

Thanks Lynsey that’s exactly what I meant about the politicians or royals. And Jade, I think the posts says the mayor plans to allow them to have Freanch citizenship whether they live here or not.

Again, this is nothing offensive toward Brad and Angie, I wish them all the best. Just the mayor’s behavior is out of place.

Carie, I know Angie is involved in lots of great humanitarian actions, but it’s not a valid reason for treating her CHILDREN with “special honor” just because of their birthplace.

Sheba on July 7th, 2008

I have to agree with you Carie. I think what the Mayor said was great and quite savvy. With economies all over the world, not just in the U.S. being so dismal, he knows the birth of AJ-BP’s twins in Nice will be a nice boon to their economy. I like what he said and while the city is probably plagued with locusts also known as the paparazzi he is still gracious in welcoming the Jolie-Pitt family and twins with opened arms. And while she’s not royalty or a polictical figure, her humanitarian work is above par and she deserves to be honored and so do her children. And being that she is still a fairly young woman and mother, I think we have seen nothing yet in how she is going to help make lasting change in the efforts to help refugees.

Also, I think it’s ridiculous to say AJ should adopt from the US. US children are no more nor no less worthy of adoption than international children. Any child in need deserves a healthy and happy life with parents who love them dearly. AJ has chosen to build her family with international children. Sharon Stone has chose to build her family with American children. Neither one deserves more praise nor more critism than the other, because they both have done a very generous and loving thing. Given a child a home. I believe several American celebrities have adopted American children and not once have I heard or read anyone say, “when is so and so going to adopt from Ecuador, Africa, China, Russia, India, etc, etc. There’s this subtext that American children should be of more value in the adoption flow-chart and people with that point-of-view simply sadden me as I deem all children, from around the world who are need precious and valuable.

carie on July 7th, 2008

I think it makes absolute sense that the “honor” would go to the children, not the mother. THEY are the ones being born there, so THEY are the ones to whom the rules/policies about birthplace and citizenship would apply.

ang on July 7th, 2008

hot people having babies-wow,what a world we live in….from the very little ive heard from these 2,esp brad,i don’t believe he takes himself too seriously and they probably both can’t believe the attention they get either.everybody loves a pretty face!they r not royalty,just actors with a very happy and rich publicist….

Alice on July 7th, 2008

Yes, obviously, but I’m saying they shouldn’t get “honors” because of their mother’s humanitarian actions, and they have done nothing more than other kids from Nice that would justify an honor just for being born there.

Nis on July 7th, 2008

Have to agree. Just a little bit sick of the whole J-P circus…

oh well on July 7th, 2008

I understand why this news would bother someone but to me it sounded like a nice gesture from the mayor. A site that discusses something as innocuous as babies seemed like a fair place to read comments about the Jolie Pitts.

CelebBabyLover on July 7th, 2008

Sheba- ITA! I also want to add that the U.S. adoption system is not known for it’s “user-friendliness” so to speak. Also, if the J-Ps adopted from the U.S., the tabs would probably encourage a whole bunch of people to come out of the woodwork and claim they are related to the child (think InTouch’s claim about Zahara’s biological mother a few months ago, and multiply that by at least 10).

As for them giving birth here in the U.S….For some reason, I can’t seem them having any more bio children after the twins. Even if they did, I doubt they’d have the child in the U.S. I mean, look at the media circus with surronding the impending birth of the twins, and the media circus that surronded Shiloh’s birth. If they had a bio child in the U.S., that media circus would probably be at least ten times worse. For them, going abroad to have their babies is the only way they can have at least SOME privacy during the birth of and the first few weeks of life of the babies.

All of that said, I don’t blame the mayor of Nice for saying that the twins will be recieved “with great honor” in Nice. If Angie and Brad had a baby in my town, you can bet that I and the rest of the people of my town would feel very honored that they had chosen our town to give birth in (never mind that my town doesn’t have a hospital, so techincally that would be impossible! LOL!).

I mean, it’s not every day that a celeb couple as famous as Angie and Brad choose to give birth in your town! I’m sure that’s what the mayor of Nice is thinking.

Lynsey on July 8th, 2008

I still don’t understand people saying that it will be a great move, economy wise. Isn’t France one of the most popular countries, tourism wise? Don’t they rake in millions of Euros each year from tourism sales? Nice is nice (no pun intended) but surely the city has plenty of tourism without needing an influx of photographers and media wanting to stake out for the Brangelina babies.

I’m not critisising Brad or Angelina. I’m not personally fond of them, but I respect their decisions to have their children where they want. I just don’t think that their children deserve special treatment based on the location of their birth. Have other celebrity kids been given this honor? I don’t think it’s right for them to get automatic citizenship when there are people who have been waiting for years to get on a waiting list.

Kayla on July 8th, 2008

“Nadia, Brad & Angelina are nowhere NEAR royalty. I find that quite offensive.” Because the royalty of today got there by hard work? No, they got their honors the same way Brad and Angie’s are…by being born to the right people.

I honestly see nothing wrong with giving an honor to the twins. It would be even more strange for the mayor to completely ignore the fact that they are being born there.

Nadia on July 8th, 2008

Jackey, by saying they are no less than royals, I didn’t mean they are royals! I just don’t get it why royals are such important!
And yes, I do agree with you that it may be offensive towards Brad and Angelina to be called royals!

Jacky on July 8th, 2008

Obviously both of you live in countires where royalty is not important.

In my culture, royalty is VERY respected and you do not compare royals to movie actors. Yes, that is what they are.

CelebBabyLover on July 9th, 2008

I know this a bit off-topic, but I was just on Just Jared looking at photos of the J-P kids going to visit Angie in the hospital….and I found the most adorable pic of Shiloh! She is in her carseat, lovingly cradling not one, but two baby dolls (one of which is the one she has been seen with quite a bit recently)! She looks like a natural-born big sister already! Here’s the link (hopefully I’m allowed to post it!): http://justjared.buzznet.com/gallery/photos.php?yr=2008&mon=07&evt=shiloh-zahara&pic=zahara-shiloh-jolie-pitt-lenval-01.jpg

All of that said, I have also noticed that there are pictures of Zee and Shi at the hospital and Maddox at the hospital…But none of Pax at the hospital. I wonder why he hasn’t visited Angie yet? Or, if he has, I wonder how they were lucky enough to avoid the paps?