MonacoStill in mourning for Prince Rainier, the principality of Monaco has again been shaken by scandal. Prince Albert, who succeeded Prince Rainier last month, allegedly has a 20-month-old illegitimate son named Alexandre.
The story was revealed by the child's mother, a former air hostess from Togo named Nicole Coste. She appears on the cover of this week's Paris Match magazine holding the handsome mixed-raced infant. An inset shows Prince Albert holding the same child and smiling. Inside the magazine are five more photographs of an apparently doting Prince Albert holding his alleged son. There all also three photographs of the attractive African woman with Prince Albert. The palace press service has refused to make any comment.
As told by Ms Coste, her romance with Prince Albert began on a Nice-Paris flight on July 13th 1997. After the in-flight meal, he told her he was still hungry, so she gave him her own meal tray. Before landing, the Prince asked for her telephone number.
Ms Coste already had two sons by earlier relationships. For five years, she went to Monaco about once a month. Prince Albert gave her the keys to his apartment. "He never talked about his feelings, but I could hear his heart beating," she told the magazine.
The relationship changed after Ms Coste met the late Prince Rainier at a dinner for 20 people. The following morning, Prince Albert told Ms Coste: "I've thought about it. I think it's better if we remain friends."
Ms Coste nonetheless asked Prince Albert to celebrate her 31st birthday with her. They spent that night together, and Alexandre was conceived because she forgot to take her birth control pill. When she learned she was pregnant, she says Prince Albert told her: "I'll take care of him. You'll want for nothing. I don't promise I'll marry you, but keep him and don't worry. Little by little, I'll bring him into the family."
Ms Coste says that following a DNA test, Prince Albert signed a document in his notary's office admitting paternity. The document was to have been given to her upon Prince Rainier's death, but was not. She became impatient and decided to reveal the story so that Prince Albert would "assume his responsibilities".