The gossip around Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco has died down considerably in the past year. Babies really do whitewash a lot of scandal and controversy, but it’s more than that in Charlene and Albert’s case – I think once she gave birth to the heir and the spare, suddenly their marriage seemed so much more relaxed. They seem to enjoy their marriage so much more. She actually looks at Albert with affection, rather than looking like she wants to curl up and die or make a break for sweet freedom. Anyway, Albert is celebrating his ten years on the throne with a HUGE garden party this weekend and he gave a lengthy and personal interview to People Magazine – you can read the full piece here. I think he threw a little shade at the Windsors! He also mentions his other children, which is notable because he usually acts like the twins are his first kids. Some highlights from the interview:
His happiest moments from the past decade: “The happiest moments of the last 10 years would of course be the wedding with Charlene, then the birth of the twins. That has to be the top of any list. Then, of course, meeting the people of Monaco, getting to know the Monégasques, and also the travels I’ve been fortunate to take for my foundation, the Red Cross and for humanitarian work. Travels to Asia and Africa to see what help we’re able to bring to kids there, where we’ve built villages. Places we’ve been able to make a difference. And another ‘happiest’ moment. I’m thinking will be this weekend. A little get-together, a garden party for 7,000 to 8,000.”
Whether his celebration of his 10 years on the throne will include some balcony photos: “There won’t be a crowded balcony. In fact, there won’t be any balcony at all. We’ll be down among the crowd.”
He’s looking forward to Pierre Casiraghi’s July 25th wedding to Beatrice Borromeo: “There’ll be finger foods and activities and I’ll give a toast. But try to keep it short and not bore everybody. But it will be hard because I really like both Pierre and Beatrice.”
His children: “It’s already been seven months since the birth of Jacques and Gabriella – even longer with my other two children [from previous relationships] – and I haven’t always had the time to be with the children as much as I’d like.”
He’s close to other royals: “I probably speak most to Prince Charles, because he’s spoken out about environmental issues. [Norway’s Crown Prince] Haakon as well and Dutch Prince Willem Alexander, though he’s more about water issues. We’ve meet about Arctic concerns…The others are as worried about environmental and ecological issues. We talk about how we can join forces on certain concerns as leaders seeking a common front. We think it can be extremely valuable to people.”
The balcony question… was he throwing shade at the Windsors? Like, whenever the Windsors celebrate anything, they do it from the palace balcony, at a safe distance away from the peasants. When they are forced to interact with people, it’s usually from the other side of a rope line. The Windsors cultivate exclusivity (sort of), distance and being “unknowable.” Meanwhile, Albert does make an effort to be very normal with the Monegasques. He’s often seen interacting with commoners like a regular person. So… while Albert’s comment was explicitly shade towards the Windsors, I do feel like there was some kind of implied judgment towards that kind of “hands off” approach to being a monarch. As for his closeness to Prince Charles… hm. I don’t know what to say about that.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
The bar is set so very low for Prince Albert.
Is it just me but all I see is George Costanza!!
“Jerry, just remember, it’s not a lie if you believe it.”
It’s all I can see too, Yummy mummy.
It’s lovely how Prince Albert’s public relations person was able to be interviewed by People. For a moment I almost thought it was Prince Albert talking
What makes you say that? I ask out of genuine curiosity, for I don’t know all that much about Prince Albert other than bits and pieces I’ve read here. Mostly gossip-y things. I actually thought he came off as extremely likeable in this interview, so I’m really curious to know why you’d say this came from a PR person instead of him. Do tell!
As far as the balcony thing, I really don’t think he was throwing shade at the Windsors. If he had specially brought it up balconies vs. no balconies on his own, then I could see it. But to me, it reads like someone asked him a question and he simply answered the question. Very straightforward. Don’t think there’s anything more insidious going on here.
Curious as well about the PR comment. Also, I don’t think the balcony response had anything to do with the BRF. I’ve seen several pictures of Albert’s family, including Caroline and Stephanie’s children, together on balconies, stairs, etc.
He does come across as likeable in the interview but it is just paints a too perfect picture of him. On this very site there were the stories about how the marriage almost didn’t happen, all the stories about how unhappy Charlene was, her passport being taken away before the marriage so she couldn’t run away, his cheating on her while they were dating. Then his out of wedlock children he didn’t really talk about much. There are more stories. Yes much of it is gossip and hopefully he has changed his ways, but that interview was almost too “fairytale like” Not saying it should have been a “draw and quarter interview” but it came across as the type of interview a celebrity gives to change their image with the help of a pr firm. But like I said hopefully he has changed his ways at least for his children
Thank you for the info, NewWester! I appreciate the reply.
“It’s lovely how Prince Albert’s public relations person was able to be interviewed by People….”
LMAO! (I got the joke)
But really. Monaco is a very very wealthy tiny country. So I image this Garden Party, will be a very beautiful event. Filled with the very beautiful residences, of that very wealthy country.
And Albert was gorgeous, when he was younger (20’s). Had lots of blonde curly hair. Looked like his Mother’s family. Yet sadly, getting to keep their hair past the age of 28… was probably not a trait for the males.
I had a HUGE crush on Albert when I was a teenager. I was a fan of his mother’s and saw his photo running at Amherst and thought he was so cute. If I wasn’t married and he wasn’t married, I’d go out with him.
Sherry, a woman I worked for a few years ago went to Smith, and had some shared classes with Albert. She said he was not so delicious, in fact a little strange, with a couple of ofd mannerisms. Girls were not flocking, per her.
@Liberty – I have always read that he is very shy. So, in my mind he’s a sweet, down-to-earth guy who’s just misunderstood. To be clear, I would NEVER, EVER want to be his wife, but I think he would be fun to date.
I don’t know much about him, but judging by this interview, I like him.
And the Windsors probably are the dullest European royals.
well, the whole point of royals , imho, is to deliver all that circus with balconies, pretty pictures etc. That’s like, their function – to play that role for the sake of whoever is interested and the tourists. If they will act all down-to-earth, “normal” etc, that would, in fact, be a slap in the face of the taxpayers. Sort of, they would be some ordinary blocks, just filthy rich. So, if u like royals – get some, if u dont like them – get rid of them, but whats the point of paying for them and then demanding them to be down there mixing with the crowd?)))
Oh, I think having royals is insulting – simply putting people in a pedestal becasue they plopped out of the right vagina is insulting to working people everywhere, but if you have them at least they could be a bit less dull than the Windsors.
No, I don’t think he was throwing shade at the Windsors. I think he was just stating that on this particular occasion they would do a casual ‘press the flesh’ rather than a more ceremonial ‘Balcony’ greeting. It would have been another thing altogether if he had said, “‘We’ don’t ‘use’ a Balcony.”
And they do use a balcony but also do a combination. With one of the events with the twins, they all posed on the balcony. Afterwards, he and Charlene went outside and walked around talking with people in the crowd.
Yeah, I agree Emma. I didn’t see it as taking shots at The Windsors at all. Plus, he said he’s close to Prince Charles so I doubt he’d throw shade at his family and how they do things.
Considering his Liberace wedding, he can hardly shade the use of balcony space?
Lol!
That came to mind.
And crowding on a balcony… Maybe a little shade at the BRF because they did crowd in there, but it was a message. They are more of the people with gestures of walking ground level and not appearing to gaze down from a balcony.
He’s the one prince I want to kiss so that he turns back into a toad.
👌👌👌 – He’s also the prince I wish NOT to see when I wake up after my 100 years of sleep.
Bahaha! Omg, you guys! Too funny! *tears* 😂
This dude has the nerve to shade someone else?!?! That’s rich. Babies and a PR makeover.
You see a PR makeover too?
On a very superficial note, Charlene is really beautiful.
She’s been looking better post babies. A softness in her eyes?
The balcony in Monaco looks a lot smaller than the one the British have. Is there enough room to fit Albert, Charlene, the twins, Albert’s 2 sisters, their children, the children’s children on that balcony? At least the Windsors have the space to fit all of the members of their family.
I like this interview. It’s sweet that Albert acknowledged his 2 older children. I wasn’t expecting that from him and I think it’s nice that he’s bonded with the other princes. Good interview.
I give him kudos for finally mentioning those other kids in such a public way. I don’t think he’s done that before.
Plus, he and his sisters do the balcony thing too. So I don’t think he was throwing shade.
I don’t usually comment on the clothes thing unless I really like something but I don’t like that white sleeveless dress on Charlene. It places too much emphasis on her very broad shoulders.
Wait sorry I’m confused, how can the twins be the heir and the spare if he has older kids? Wouldn’t they be next in line? Sorry this has probably been explained a million times but I’ve missed it. Thanks in advance
He seems like a pretty down to earth nice enough guy, granted all I know is this interview.
The child has to be “legitimate.” His other children were born out of wedlock.
Oh scandal (not really) but thank you both for answering I know nothing about this guy except he lives in a fancy rich country and has a pretty wife.
So are his other kids not even considered royals?
The other children were born out of wedlock., thus cannot reign.
Debbie: in response to your second question, it’s a conundrum. Even though they are recognised as his children, they are illegitimate. That means they can’t inherit, but I wonder if that negates their royal status too. They aren’t expected to carry out any duties. And for the most part live private lives. However, you inherit your status from your father, so perhaps they are royal. I don’t think Monaco has ruled on their status except to acknowledge them. I could be wrong.
That said, Monaco has a sketchy and loose interpretation of the inheritance laws. Albert’s grandmother was illegitimate which should have ruled out her off spring from inheriting anything, BUT when Raineir, Albert’s father, turned out to be the only living male child (from the pool of potential claimants) with a claim to the throne, the ruling prince overlooked that snaffu and named him the heir.
If Albert were to do the same and go by age irrespective of legitimacy, then his 10 (?) year old son, Alexandre, would be the next ruler rather than Jacques above.
LAK, didn’t Caroline’s children get excluded from the line to the throne because the Catholic Church didn’t consider them to be eligible because their father had been divorced before he married Caroline? Or did I dream that?
IIRC, the catholic church didn’t recognise her 2nd marriage and considered the kids illegitimate because she was still married to hubby no 1 according to church canon law. Nevermind that she was legally divorced from hubby no 1 a full 3yrs before she legally married hubby no 2.
The first marriage was eventually annulled in 1992, 2yrs after hubby no 2’s death. And then the 2nd marriage was recognised by the church some months afterwards. Talk about convoluted. I guess the church discovered it’s compassion after death?!
As long as they were born within legal marriage, they would be in line.
GNAT: I thought it was Stephanie’s kids who were removed from the line of succession with preference going to Caroline’s kids.
Thank you. This is rather complicated and seems silly to me but if it works for them and makes them happy ok our system is often silly to
Stephanie´s youngest daughter and Albert´s two older kids are all out of wedlock and not in line of succession.
Caroline´s older kids were made “legitim” by the Vatican when they recognized her second marriage years later. Her youngest daughter Princess Alexandra was born while she was married to her third husband.
It´s funny how the catholic church can overlook the own rules when it comes to certain rich people…
I´m still mad at Albert that he didn´t change the rules like his great-grandfather did with his illigitimate daughter.
Albert has a wonderful grown-up daughter. Ditch the boys before girls rule and make your oldest child the next Princess of Monaco! That would be an awesome PR move. People would talk about Grace Kelly´s american granddaughter taking over the Princedom! “Princess Diaries” in real.
Maybe he´s afraid that an older out of wedlock kid could come along and the line of succession shakes.
LAK, a civil divorce and church annulment are two entirely different things. If the church recognizes the first marriage as a sacramental one, then it doesn’t matter how many years you’ve been legally divorced, because according to church canon law you are still considered married. Any subsequent marriage is considered adultery, unless an annulment of the first has been granted. However, you must first get a legal divorce before even requesting an annulment. Then the request has to be reviewed and the parties involved (and maybe their families) interviewed. This could take up to several years. I was lucky, and mine only took a couple of months. As far as legitimacy of children, if the parents were never and have never married to each other, than they can’t inherit. If the parents then marry each other (such as Princess Caroline’s son, who had the baby first then he married the mother) it makes the baby legitimate and able to inherit. As far as Prince Rainier’s grandmother, technically, being illegitimate she should have been disqualified completely, but since he legally adopted her, that made her his legal heir. IIRC she was an adult at the time of adoption.
@Lucky Charms: And that’s why it’s crap when someone tries to get their marriage annulled as opposed to get a divorce and claim it’s for “religious reasons”. The Church annulment is a whole different beast and has nothing to do with the legal process. Can you tell this drives me crazy? 🙂
Lucky Charm: and that’s why I’m glad I’m not catholic. I remember that Caroline petitioned for an annulment for many years and the vatican refused.
When her 2nd husband died, there was a general feeling of sympathy for her, especially when she retreated to France and seemed to be grieving for him. When she developed alopecia, everyone assumed it was the grieving process. The Vatican finally accepted her latest petition and annulled the first marriage and a few months later legitimised her 2nd one. It just seemed so ludicrous to me, but i’m not catholic or religious so only work with legal laws, not canonical ones.
If I remember, one reason she was petitioning was him not being willing to have children. You’d think the Catholic Church would have annulled it sooner, as that is one of the few reasons they give for allowing annulments.
Complete side note. One of my favorite OTT royal photo shoots of all time is her in the sapphire blue gown, posting on the balcony with her husband and kids.
By the way peeps, Caroline’s kids weren’t excluded because of Catholic law, but rather because Caroline herself wasn’t eligible to succeed Albert as the ruler of Monaco. Remember that they had to change the law at some point in the recent past?
@Debby – yes the older “outside” kids do not have titles. They can get the last name of Grimaldi and an inheritance if named in the will but that’s it.
Thank you. This is facinating. Much more interesting then Britians royal family.
Charlene does seem much happier. Maybe she was taking fertility drugs and stressing about not getting pregnant before?
Albert was in my house once, when I wasn’t there. My first husband and I had a co-op in NYC, and some of our neighbors went to Amherst with him. We were the only co-op with outside space. When we were on our honeymoon, they had a party and he came. So I’m really famous now. Not. They all said he was very down to earth and nice, but I think he’s changed. He used to be cute, too.
You’re a bona fide ‘sleb. Will you sign my beige booty shorts? I’d prefer it if you’d sign the right cheek.
“To Shambles,
I’ve walked on the same floorboards as Prince Albert, so let me sign your beige booty.”
Something like that will do.
Lol, yes, I will happily sign a pair for you, my non-famous friend. I won’t forget the little people.
I rarely tell that story since it’s such a non-event, but I’m in an odd mood today.
He is godfather to my friend’s friend’s kids (like that connection?) She asked him to dance at their mutual friends’ anniversary party. Then she felt weird asking in front of Charlene, so asked her if it was ok. Charlene said go ahead, she can’t keep up with him. Friend said he was an excellent dancer and very nice. No pinches on the ass, either, and my friend is gorgeous.
Yes, they all liked him very much, and they are very nice.
Thanks for sharing. He’s always been a tough one to peg. Years ago, he certainly had a lot of women clamoring for him.
Ooh! You’re famous now indeed! Will you sign my post? 🙂
Of course.
Love and bootie shorts, Almost Famous
Perhaps he’s happier because with the birth of the twins Caroline is firmly in the background now.
yeah, i think Charlene had problems getting pregnant and it showed in her face.
Female athletes often suffer fertility problems and need longer. Charlene is an olympian and in her 30s so i bet she felt enormous pressure. She knew the problem wasn´t his sperm and they were a couple for a decade before marriage and no kiddies (in his family an exceptional phenomenon).
1-2 years after their wedding Albert often took Caroline´s first born Andrea with him for official events. Maybe Albert´s plan was to take the pressure from Charlene this way, showing her that his nephew can take over and she doesn´t need to produce an heir immediately.
Albert and Charlene were always a very happy in love couple before the wedding and since the pregnancy they look happy again. So i think they had a hard time trying
Monaco’s succession laws were changed to allow Caroline to inherit, so before Albert and Charlene’s children were born Caroline was actually Albert’s heir – which was why Andrea would accompany him on things (it was widely believed that Caroline would step aside in favor of her son).
The vibe of Monaco is different too, with so many rich people. Despite Albert’s weirdness, I’ve heard good things. I’m from the Philly area and he’s been here and gotten high marks from people I know who talked with him. Not pretentious or stand-offish at all.
Well, to a degree, royalty is royalty but per the balcony question-it could be a simple as the cultures in the two countries are just different in regards to how they interact with the public. Having said that, it’s not like he is going to send invites to the unwashed masses (if those even exist in Monaco) to come party it up at the royal residence.
I don’t know if it is shade. I would hope not since the royals in Monaco aren’t really in a position to shade anyone about anything.
Also the situation in a small place like Monaco is very different than faced by royals in the UK: Bigger, more diverse country, not all the loonies are known to police, history of doing things to other countries that get a few people ticked enough to assassinate a symbol like the royals, etc. Same thing in the U.S. for major officials like the Prez. Monaco’s size and income level plus its more benign history are quite protective.
It’s a good thing Kelly Rutherford won’t be in Monaco at that time, then!
If he’s so relaxed why is it his other children were not in his royal option ops? Are his other children living with him? Why are there no photos interacting with all his children?
Look Al just keep your trap shut and keep an eye on your child bride. I wouldn’t blame her if she’s receiving comfort from a cut stable boy,or the butler or the driver.
All I know have old All paw at me in the dark would make me sads.
His other children live with their mothers. His daughter lives in the US and the son lives in France. I’ve never seems photos of him with his daughter but he did interact with the son when he was a baby.
There are pics of both Charlene & Albert with Jazmin at an event in Monaco. I think for the Princess Grace Foundation.
That boy is seriously cute and looks so much like him!
The girl is pretty, I bet he saw her too, but then the mother lived in the USA, while the baby boy lived right next door, and the relationship with his mother was longer.
It is nice that he acknowledges them. The family is all but conservative, even if they have tried to keep up a bit of appearances.
@ Ennie
How is it nice? He referred to his twins by their names and referred to the older two by “my two other children” slow claps all around. Not to mention he says he barely spends any thime with them.
They have a million people on the streets around the Palace for huge royal events in England, though. And Monaco is tiny, plus mostly populated by oligarchs. It’s not quite the same thing – the Queen doesn’t appear on the balcony at her garden parties, either, and she has several of them each summer, with thousands of guests.
There are a lot of problems with the British monarchy, but I don’t think balcony appearances is among them.
I know, I didn’t really get that comment either. Queen Elizabeth meets thousands of people face to face each year, and her nearest family members go on trips to Commonwealth countries all the time, primarily to meet and greet people.
In the scheme of things Alberts other two kids just don’t count. They don’t live with him never have and never will. His twins with Charlene will always be who we see him with. I doubt we will ever get a full family photo. They were born out of wedlock therefore entitled to nothing and Albert has got a horrible reputation with women. Do I think Charlene is happy? Hell yes she doesn’t have to sleep with Albert anymore and now she has done what she was supposed to most would have backed off so she can do what she wants.
I think the babies helped his PR greatly.
Then: Bachelor who impregnated and ditched (at least) 2 baby mommas, ties to crime bosses, dragged on the relationship with Char till she was (surgically) ready to be princess, and kept her captive when she got cold feet b4 the wedding.
Now: I’m one of the people, I love my family, I love the environment. Prince Charles and CP Haakon are my bro-crew buddies!!
And he is projecting a more casual demeanor. His participation in the Ice Bucket challenge was fun.
“Interacting with commoners” – yes, that’s how he got his first two kids !
LoL!
LMAO! So spot on!!
These pictures are making me chuckle. The sweet prince looks like George Costanza on Seinfeld. Where’s Kramer when you need him?
Those balding Kelly genes are strong, and Rainier was not slim in his old age, so his genes are catching up with him. HE was very cute in a very American-cute boy way to me, when he was younger (He’s more of my generation, I remember all the Grimaldis young and pretty as they were.
I don’t thinking he was throwing shade, I think him and the wife stood on the balcony to introduce their twins.
Well, Charles’ uncle and surrogate father was blown up by the IRA along with his grandson. Someone attempted to kidnap Charles’ sister, shooting her bodyguard in the process. Maybe they are wise to stay up on the balcony.
I doubt he was shading the Windsors. I doubt he cares that much about what they do in their kingdom. He has a smaller principality. They are known for being accessible to their people. As for the rest, I think he’s in a much better place. He’s had a relationship with both of his older kids, so I don’t get the talk that he’s ashamed of them because they weren’t in line for the throne. He wouldn’t have acknowledge them at all if he didn’t care.
I could have sworn I read somewhere a long time ago that his oldest daughter came to live with him for a while. Maybe it was just a summer vacation. Even though there are not a lot of public photos, he definitely has not cut out his first two kids from his life.
Isn’t Willem-Alexander King now? Guess Albert hasn’t talked to him in a while.
Yes. And I can’t for the life of me see how a square like him landed a cracker like Maxima. And doesn’t resent her over shadowing him.
He probably asks himself how he landed her too. I think he’s happy to have her take center stage, relieved even. His father was a quiet man with a strong sense of fun, even in the face of occasional depression. He may be used to the idea of the spouse being the more engaging one while the heir (his mother, himself) is more serious.
Opposites attract? He always looks like a pretty happy guy to me. 🙂
The photos of him holding her hand while she was teary when the plane crash victims coffins came home were lovely. He looked same as ever, but I think he really loves her. It was really nice to see.
I find it sad when you say best moments 1st your wedding then the birth of your children
Why? At least he didn’t say the day he lost his virginity.
Lets not forget that unlike all other European Royals , Albert is a real Sovereign , he is truely the head of his country. Monaco’s equivalent of a President or Prime Minister but for life, he has more real power than any other Royal outside the Middle East. Admittedly a tiny country but still all powerful in his sphere and the Monegasques seem to be very happy with the situation. Where ever he may go he is ‘Head of State’ so ultimately carries a lot more clout on the world stage than any other European King or Queen , who is basically just a figure head.
Umm prince willem alexander from the netherlands? He is allready KING willem alexander. No more prince!
Oh and their real name is not windsor. Its coburg-gotha. They have very deep german roots. Like their german name they changed after hitler attacked GB which was a childish stupid move from the royals! As if the brits forgot about their own attacks to afrika and other commonwealth countrys. Stealing people into slavery for centurys.
They changed their name because of WW1 in 1917, not because of hitler.
If you are going to be pedantic and ignore their new name, then let’s be properly pedantic and say that HM ceased to be a Saxe-Coburg when she married Philip. He is a schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg and that should be the new dynastic name of Charles Etal.
Exactly…I find it unbelieveable that Philip threw a such tantrum over the children taking their mothers name instead of his surname ‘Mountbatten’ when ‘Mountbatten/Battenberg’ was actually HIS mother’s surname.
@Tinkerbell, your comment brought back to mind an article I’d read. The subject is London, sugar and the Slave Trade, and its a sad commentary on the leadership and the horrible business that helped spur the financial growth of a city. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/travel/londons-legacy-in-the-slave-trade.html?_r=0
Can’t shade anyone for using their voice to promote environmental protection. I wish William would step up his anti-poaching measures… giving up the sport of killing animals for fun might be a good start…