Until August 16, 2023, the public had not heard much from Alexandre Grimaldi.
He had not given any interviews.
He had not made any controversial statements online.
In many ways, the young man was a ghost.
Throughout the conversation, Alexandre was not afraid to tackle difficult conversations, most notably his unusual pedigree.
Instead, he spent most of his childhood living with his mother between London and Paris.
Nevertheless, Alexandre said that he was fortunate to grow up with such “benevolent” parents.
He later added, “I’ve had some rather happy times, to tell the truth.”
Happy or not, though, Alexandre’s life has been complicated from the start.
Albert was apparently resistant to the idea.
Thus, Alexandre’s birth set off a long, tumultuous battle between Nicole and Albert.
By the time Alexandre was almost 2 years old, he still had no father listed on his documents.
Frustrated and likely exhausted, Nicole delivered the coup de grace when she went to the press.
Alexandre, meanwhile, became known in Europe as Albert’s “secret child.”
Alexandre also was excluded from the line of succession, meaning that he could never wear the Monegasque crown.
Since Nicole Coste and Albert were never married, Alexandre could never be considered an heir.
In Alexandre’s particular case, these technicalities may seem heartbreaking.
However, Albert never gave Alexandre the support to do so.
Instead, Albert has named Prince Jacques his successor.
Alexandre, meanwhile, receives financial support from his father but no royal perks to speak of.
However, all of this luxury might not have been enough for Alexandre growing up.
After all, money is not everything.
And it is believed that Albert was not always present in Alexandre’s life.
This, apparently, weighed heavily on the single mother.
“A boy needs his father, and I wrote to Albert saying this was not about money.
Sadly, Nicole was not the only one who suffered in light of Albert’s absences.
According to a family friend, Alexandre had a really difficult time growing up away from his dad.
“Alexandre misses his daddy dreadfully,” revealed the source.
“He has started to feel sad and rejected.”
The source explained, “He has to be told that his father is busy.”
For the most part, this family bonding seems to have been successful.
Speaking to Point de Vue, Alexandre revealed that he feels “tenderness” toward his two little siblings.
We’ve a good relationship despite the fact that we live in distant countries.”
All this love aside, however, Alexandre’s family reunions have not always been uplifting.
As Nicole Coste toldParis Match, there have been instances when Alexandre was treated poorly while visiting the palace.
Naturally, this was not always something that Nicole was on board with.
Over time, Nicole came to understand that Albert would give Alexandre some degree of acceptance.
Nicole recalled: “I was reassured when Princess Stephanie became Alexandre’s godmother.
Albert has honored his promise.
Things are building up well and running their course, which I am delighted about.”
She was also likely reassured to see the prince take an interest in her son’s education.
His school enrollments have always been signed by both of our hands."
Instead, he is taking matters into his own hands and preparing himself for whatever the future holds.
In practice, this means that Alexandre has remained devoted to academics.
His most recent endeavor has been studying business at a university in Britain.
Because of this, Alexandre is not worried about distractions, like fads or fashions.
Of course, like many young people, Alexandre has thought quite a bit about his future.
“Climate and environmental issues preoccupy me like everyone else and any young person in the 21st century.
We must preserve nature,” Alexandre told Point de Vue.
As Nicole Coste revealed in an interview with Paris Match, Alexandre was actually scouted by an agency.
“I consider this as a ‘student job’ which will help him to forge himself.
I will also encourage him to do work placements as part of his studies.”
Luckily for Nicole, though, she didn’t need to worry about Alexandre prioritizing modeling over school.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexandre grew less and less enthusiastic about the prospect of strutting down a catwalk.
But COVID happened, and I ended up losing interest."
He did concede, though, that he would consider being a brand ambassador.
It pleased him a lot."
The prince’s son also was spotted at the Cannes Film Festival in July 2021.
And he joined his mother at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix in May 2022.
Of course, she also conceded that Alexandre’s future “is up to the sovereign prince.”
As he explained in an interview with Point de Vue, Alexandre finds this term degrading.
Using that word is insulting."
In Alexandre’s view, he deserves to use Prince Albert’s last name.
After all, the Monegasque royal is his father.
He explained, “My father’s name is Grimaldi.
It makes sense that I bear his name.
I would have been called Dochomel if my father had been Mr. Fascinatingly, these statements mirror ideas that Nicole Coste had previously presented to the press.
To continue to say or write that our son is an illegitimate child is incorrect and insulting.”
After all, his legitimacy is the one thing lying between him and the crown.
In the same interview, Nicole added, “From now on, things will gradually change.
That’s why I accepted the interview you offered me.”
He spoke positively of his friends, as well as his parents.
He even joked about his younger half-siblings, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, and their many toys.
We shall see if he gives another interesting interview in the future.
