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Alexandre Coste
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Alexandre Eric Stéphane Coste | |
| Born | August 24, 2003 (age 3) Paris |
|---|---|
| Parents | Albert II of Monaco and Nicole Coste |
Alexandre Eric Stéphane Coste (born 24 August 2003 in Paris) is the son of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and his former lover, Nicole Coste, a native of Togo in west Africa. His paternal grandparents were the late Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and Princess Grace.
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He was born Eric Alexandre Stephane Tossoukpé. His mother Nicole changed her surname and his to Coste on 10 November 2004. In her interview with Paris Match, Nicole also claimed to have changed the order of his name to Alexandre Eric Stéphane though in spring 2005, she filed papers in French court seeking support for Eric Alexandre Stéphane Coste. At the time, Prince Albert refused comment due to mourning restrictions.
On 6 July 2005, six days before he was enthroned on 12 July, Albert officially confirmed paternity via his lawyer Thierry Lacoste.
Eric Alexandre has two older half-brothers who live with their father, Nicole's ex-husband, in South America. In June 2006, his father Albert II confirmed a half-sister, Jazmin Grace Rotolo.
Because of his illegitimate birth, he was not put in the line of succession for Monaco. The constitutional law specifies only "direct and legitimate" descendants can ascend the throne. Under current Monaco law, he can only become legitimate by his father marrying his mother. However, Albert II could change the Constitution of Monaco and thus legitimize him through legislation.
If he were in any way legitimized, as the oldest son of Albert, Eric Alexandre would automatically be put first in the line of succession and become the heir apparent to Albert II. As a result of those actions, he would then be titled Hereditary Prince Eric. He would also be given the dynastical last name Grimaldi.
On 26 October 2005, Albert II gave an interview to USA television personality Larry King. Albert said his son would not be in line for the Monegasque throne nor would he ever bear the Grimaldi name but that he would be taken care of financially. Under French law, Eric Alexandre has inheritance rights to the Grimaldi family fortune, however, his father Prince Albert's estate falls under Monaco regulation.
Should Albert II never marry and not have any legitimate issue, Eric Alexandre remains an option if Albert should want to preclude the accession of his nephew, Andrea Casiraghi through his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover. In the King interview{ref3}, Albert said he would "review the situation" should it occur.
Since that time, Albert II has confirmed paternity of another child, Jazmin Grace Rotolo. In statement, Albert II reaffirmed neither this son nor daughter will be in line as heirs to Monaco's throne.
Eric Alexandre lives in France with his mother. They share an estate provided and secured by his father. It is near Monaco.