Who is Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste, the illegitimate teen son of Monaco’s Prince Albert? The crown is set for Princess Charlene’s kids, but the budding model may still inherit the billion-dollar fortune

Dec 17 , 2021

Prince Albert II’s son has grown up to be a dashing young man. Photos: Monaco Quotidien/Facebook, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands/Facebook

Grimaldi-Coste isn’t in line for the throne, but like Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella and big sis Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, he’ll still inherit dad’s fortune

Sharing his cousins Charlotte Casiraghi and Pauline Ducruet’s love for fashion, the teen currently juggles a modelling career while still going to school

As with many European royals, Prince Albert II of Monaco has had his fair share of secrets and scandals over the past two decades. These include rumours all is not well in his marriage to Princess Charlene and a series of paternity claims – including two illegitimate children he has recognised.

Prince Albert II with his eldest son, Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste. Photo: Christel Lautel/Facebook

Born on August 24, 2003, Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste is the firstborn son of the Monegasque head. He may have grown up outside the limelight, but this 18-year-old is slowly finding his place in the principality and drawing attention in the process. So what do we know about this young face making waves and headlines?

He’s the son of a prince and a former flight attendant

Prince Albert with Nicole Coste. Photo: Facebook

Grimaldi-Coste’s parents met in 1997 while Prince Albert II was on a flight from Nice to Paris. His French-Togolese and former flight attendant mum, Nicole Coste, instantly captivated the young “playboy prince”. Their five-year affair produced a “petit prince” out of wedlock.

Young Grimaldi-Coste with his mother Nicole Coste. Photo: The royal families/Facebook

Just weeks after his father Prince Rainier III died in 2005, Prince Albert II officially recognised the paternity of the 19-month-old boy. His public announcement came soon after Coste revealed their child’s existence to the French magazine Paris Match. At the time, she claimed that he had not fulfilled his promise to register as the boy’s dad.

He’s not in line to the Monegasque throne

Nicole Coste and her son Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste. Photo: @egoslr/Instagram

Although he is Prince Albert’s firstborn son, Grimaldi-Coste isn’t Monaco’s heir apparent. Its constitution, which was amended in 2002, states that only “direct and legitimate descendants” can rule the principality – which means the crown will first fall to the two children he had with Princes Charlene, seven-year-old twins Jacques Honoré Rainier and Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès.

Still, Grimaldi-Coste has the same inheritance rights to Prince Albert’s billion-dollar fortune as any of his other siblings, making him in line to become very wealthy. While the teenager has no official title and function, he has embraced his Monegasque roots and even made his first official outing at the Monaco Red Cross Ball on July 16.

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco pose on the palace balcony during the Monaco National Day Celebrations in 2019. Photo: Getty

In November, Prince Albert told French magazine Point de Vue that he was “furious” after Nicole Coste, the mother of Alexandre, made claims that his now-wife Princess Charlene moved the child into their home’s employee wing before their royal wedding in 2011.

“It was inappropriate, I was furious to discover that,” Albert told Point de Vue regarding Coste’s comments.

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