He may have no claim to Monaco’s line of succession, but Alexandre Grimaldi is clearly determined to shape the future of his father’s principality.
With the blessing of Prince Albert II, Alexandre, 22, is planning to shake up the French Riviera’s sovereign state, which has long been known as a tax haven for the rich and famous.
Fresh from completing a business management degree in London, he tells me at the Kilian Paris scented party at the Carlton Beach Club in Cannes: ‘I have set up my own company and the role of the company is to modernise Monaco into a position as a leading cultural hub and to keep Monaco culturally relevant.’ He adds: ‘My father is very much on board and across what I’m doing.’
Despite gracing the cover of society bible Tatler last year, business has always been at the forefront of Grace Kelly’s grandson’s mind. ‘My father is a prince and head of state, so I can’t imagine myself walking down a runway,’ he has admitted previously.
Alexandre, centre, with his mother Nicole and father Prince Albert II of Monaco on a night out
Albert confirmed he was Alexandre’s father just before he was enthroned as ruler of the principality in 2005. The 68-year-old royal had previously been in a six-year clandestine relationship with Alexandre’s mother, Nicole Coste, a Togo-born flight attendant, long before marrying Charlene, Princess of Monaco. The couple have 11-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
Albert also has a daughter Jazmin, 34, with American waitress Tamara Rotolo.
While Rotolo has remained out of the limelight, there’s been no love lost between Nicole and former Olympic swimmer Princess Charlene, 48, particularly over claims that she put Alexandre in the palace’s staff wing before her £53 million wedding in 2011.
Coste has often referred to Alexandre as ‘Paternally king’, a label he appears to embrace, as he has voiced his annoyance at being referred to as illegitimate. ‘When I was born, neither of my parents were in another marriage, and they did not commit adultery,’ he said.
Celine’s stylist wants comeback to be ‘pure drama’
Canadian singer Celine Dion is preparing for her ten-day residency, which will be later this year
Celine Dion’s Paris comeback is already shaping up to be a fashion spectacle.
As the Canadian singer prepares for her ten-date residency later this year, her American stylist Law Roach is dreaming up her stage wardrobe.
Roach, inset, who recently curated the House of Magnum fashion show in Cannes, tells me: ‘I want to see her in looks that feel triumphant, with moments of pure drama. Celine in a full couture cape situation. Celine in something that moves with her when she hits those notes.’
Dion’s career has been on hold since 2022 after she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder. Roach adds: ‘She needs armour that tells the story of who she is.’
Sabrina breaks the No1 hen do taboo
Bridgerton star Sabrina Bartlett cuddling her fiance, Australian strategist Lachie Stewart
Here’s something you don’t see at your standard hen do! Bridgerton star Sabrina Bartlett, whose engagement to Australian strategist Lachie Stewart I disclosed in 2024, brought her fiancé along to her hen party in London this week.
The actress shared this snap on Instagram showing the pair cuddling and wearing party glasses.
London-born Sabrina, 34, who played Lord Bridgerton’s secret lover in the racy Netflix drama, previously dated Peter Rabbit actor Tom Greaves for three years.
Elaine: No one wants older women in films
Dame Elaine Page, whose career has spanned 60 years, has spoken about ageing as an actress
West End star Dame Elaine Paige has enjoyed a career spanning 60 years, but she admits older actresses face a brutal reality as they age in the industry.
‘We don’t want to see old women on telly or in the films, do we? We want to see beauty,’ she opines.
‘If I was still wanting to play roles, I guess I would be playing grannies now, let’s face it.’
Speaking on Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show podcast, Dame Elaine, 78, adds: ‘I think the guys get away with it easier somehow.
‘It’s just the way of life isn’t it. Every dog has its day.’
Princess Diana had no idea she was being manipulated into her bombshell 1995 Panorama interview by Martin Bashir’s ‘deceitful’ tactics, as a BBC inquiry revealed.
But I can disclose just a week after the programme aired, the late Princess wrote a heartfelt letter to BBC presenter and stalwart Michael Barratt, who died in 2022 aged 94, thanking him for his support.
The two-page note, set to be auctioned next month by Essex auctioneers Reeman Dansie for up to £4,000, was sent after Barratt wrote to her following the broadcast.
Sir Sam Mendes’s four Beatles biopics are still two years away, but comic Ben Elton has offered one insight into the life of the late George Harrison, who died in 2001 aged 58.
The Blackadder writer, 67, who was friends with the Beatle, elaborates: ‘George Harrison recommended I meditate and [said] ‘get yourself a mantra, Ben.’ It was because of my [skin condition] psoriasis, he thought it might relax me. His other advice was ‘you’ve got to drink your own urine, Ben.’
Unconvinced George’s tip would help, Elton confirms: ‘I didn’t do that.’
Prince Harry moaned about the limited taxpayer-funded protection that he and his family can have while in Britain.
However, I hear tighter security measures for Prince William and Catherine are being planned, with the Crown Estate aiming to upgrade the ‘outdated’ security near their residence at Kensington Palace.
The estate is seeking planning permission to install temporary vehicle barriers outside the palace ahead of longer-term ‘Hostile Vehicle Mitigation’ measures.
In January this year, intruder Derek Egan was jailed for breaking into the grounds of Kensington Palace on two separate days in the run up to last Christmas.
