Prince Albert reveals his proudest achievement since becoming ruler of Monaco
The infamous 'playboy prince' Prince Albert II of Monaco is notorious for his rather colourful love life, from a string of romances involving models and actresses, to fathering children outside of wedlock.
The 67-year-old son of Grace Kelly finally settled down in his 50s when he married Princess Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer representing South Africa.
But their relationship has been plagued by rumours of marital woe since even before they tied the knot.
Despite the speculation, the royal has affirmed his proudest achievement in his nearly 20-year reign is 'first and foremost' his marriage to 47-year-old Charlene and their children, twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
The prince made the remarks during a rare joint interview with his wife, where they spoke to a group of local journalists at the Prince's Palace in Monte-Carlo this week.
Asked what he has been most proud of in his reign so far, Albert told La Gazette de Monaco: 'What I am most proud of is my marriage and my children, first and foremost.'
His declaration comes after years of scrutiny over the state of his and Charlene's marriage.
Albert has two children from relationships that took place before he wed Charlene who are officially recognised.
They are Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste, 21, whom he shares with ex-Air France attendant Nicole Coste, and Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, 32, with American waitress Tamara Rotolo.
But a dark shadow was cast over the wedding when allegations that Albert had fathered another illegitimate child and would face a paternity test after the wedding surfaced.
Charlene had even been dubbed the 'Runaway Bride' by the French media after allegedly trying to flee before the wedding, but the reports were always denied.
The nuptials went ahead and the celebration was attended by foreign royalty and celebrities in the Prince's Palace in Monaco, but it was scrutinised due to the rumours swirling around Albert's paternity results.
The prince has faced yet another paternity suit in the years since they married, involving allegations he fathered another love child with an unnamed Brazilian woman. His lawyers claimed it was a 'hoax'.
The couple strongly denied that their relationship was on the rocks in separate interviews in 2023
At the time, Charlene told South African website News 24: 'There's nothing wrong with our marriage and I find the rumours to be draining and exhausting.
'I simply cannot understand where they come from. It feels to me like certain media or people want to see us split.'
After Charlene spent 10 years in South Africa due to ill health in 2021, even more speculation arose around the state of their marriage - but she returned to Monaco and has continued her royal duties and appearances with Albert
She condemned media reports about her marriage as 'clickbait' and about 'putting bread on someone's table'.
Meanwhile, Albert gave an interview to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera and praised Charlene for being 'always by my side and [supporting] me in leading the principality'.
'We are a working couple and sometimes that only allows us to see each other at the end of a long day full of appointments.'
In April, Albert and Charlene put on a united front as they linked arms while attending a tennis match at the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament at the Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
They were affectionate with one another as they walked close together and exchanged fond glances.
In 2021, the couple faced further speculation after Charlene fell ill in South Africa, during what was meant to be a 10-day visit.
Complications from a sinus operation led to her staying in her native country for 10 months, and there have been rumours about the state of her marriage ever since.
There had been claims by leading French media that Albert had signed an 'ultra-confidential contract' to pay his wife more than £10m a year to fulfil her Royal duties.
She returned to Monaco but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was 'exhausted'.
Photographs of their reunion were greeted with a hefty dose of scepticism by the French media.
Prince Albert said he was 'hurt by the vicious rumours' peddled about his marriage following his wife's absence and said that it's the 'most beautiful thing' to have her back with him.
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