What is your opinion of Prince Albert?

[sashajones]

I think things started to go downhill for PA once he started losing his hair!
That male pattern baldness really messed up his brain.

[Ghislaine]

You know, I don't know.
I'm in two minds about Albert, I read contradictory information about him and, mostly in the case of his two kids, I simply have not enough info - only speculation.

From his refusal to marry and produce an heir, causing dismay for his late father, Prince Rainier

Can't entirely blame Albert here. If he finds the right woman but she doesn't want to marry him or if he's never found one who "felt right". He can't help that.

to his acknowledgement of two illegitimate children

Not enough info.

to complaints about the type of women he dates

Ermmm....

You can call me doubtful G.

[Carlos]

Originally Posted by Avalon

Prince Albert remains the ruler of Monaco. And if you read the comments by the people of Monaco, you'll see they are quite happy with their Prince and are proud of him.

Of course they are happy!! Any that say anything wrong are kicked out, it has happened before. You will only find people that are happy.

Originally Posted by Avalon

Those, who quote Bible, to blame Prince Albert in anything, might as well remember the "Don't judge, not to be judged" lines.

Originally Posted by Avalon

You misunderstand the scripture, people are forced to make judgments every day on different subjects, it is referring to something completely different.

[LadyK]

There's only one thing I think about Albert: He needs to keep it zipped!!!!!

[Lakshmi]

PA is one great disappointment:(

[PreDoc]

Originally Posted by sherylal24

Has Prince Albert ever heard of birth control??? It seems that someone in his position would be alot more responsible and use protection!! I am sure there probably will be more stories of other children he has fathered.

I don't usually follow this clan, has he acknowledged paternity for more than one child?

[enchantednights]

Originally Posted by PreDoc

I don't usually follow this clan, has he acknowledged paternity for more than one child?

yes he now has a 3 year old son, and a 14 year old daughter. that we know of.

[Avalon]

Originally Posted by Carlos

...You misunderstand the scripture, people are forced to make judgments every day on different subjects, it is referring to something completely different.

People (including me) make judgements everyday, I agree with that Carlos. And I don't exclude the possibility I misunderstood the scripture. However I think it's about not judging other people. That's my opinion, although as I said I might be wrong.:)
Returning to Prince Albert, he is only human. Human, who makes mistakes. How many fathers there are, who abandoned their children and never looked back to see what happened to them. He, at least, took the responsibility and accepted them.
I agree he should give more love and attention to his children, but we don't know whether he does or does not do that. Therefore, imo, he must not be judged. It's just a private opinion though.

[lisamaria]

Originally Posted by Qsophy

PA has gone down considerably in my estimation. But, I must take issue with any portrayal of Caroline as more deserving of the throne than PA.

Caroline's affair with Ernst of Hanover destroyed his marriage to Caroline's friend, Chantal Hochuli. She then became pregnant prior to her marriage to Ernst.

In my opinion, she is just like PA--self-centered and careless, except where titles and prestige are concerned. (Ernst is an HRH, and the Princely Family of Monaco is NOT--they are HSH--among people who care, that is a MAJOR difference).

Besides, due to Monaco's male-preference primogeniture, she will never inherit the throne. Her son Andrea will displace her.

I think the biggest obstacle on PA's path is Caroline. Ever since her mother's death, she has been used to rule the roost; in the Southern Europe, she is on top of the pile. If Albert married the kind of woman he needs, she would have to give up her position and just somehow I cannot picture her doing that without a fight. Also, by now, she must have her eyes set on Andrea becoming the next prince; if Albert suddenly married and produced and heir, her plan would go down the drain. I don't personally find Caroline much anything, but its sort of sad still to see her push PA around - he should grow a spine and become a man of his own. Finally.

[Laviollette]

Originally Posted by Qsophy

Besides, due to Monaco's male-preference primogeniture, she will never inherit the throne. Her son Andrea will displace her.

This is wrong! Andrea has no right to displace his mother. She is right now the heiress presumptive. Male primogeniture applies to the unit of Albert, Caroline and Stephanie just like it would then apply to the line of Andrea, Pierre (in front of older sibling Charlotte), then Charlotte and Alexandra after their mother.

[Laviollette]

Originally Posted by lisamaria

I think the biggest obstacle on PA's path is Caroline. Ever since her mother's death, she has been used to rule the roost; in the Southern Europe, she is on top of the pile. If Albert married the kind of woman he needs, she would have to give up her position and just somehow I cannot picture her doing that without a fight. Also, by now, she must have her eyes set on Andrea becoming the next prince; if Albert suddenly married and produced and heir, her plan would go down the drain. I don't personally find Caroline much anything, but its sort of sad still to see her push PA around - he should grow a spine and become a man of his own. Finally.

I think if Albert married someone other than a blonde bimbo, Caro would be happy to step aside and allow his wife to be a full and beloved sovereign princess.

[Grace]

Unfortunately Caro has wished to give up her "First Lady" position since Stefano died; she would be more than happy to reduce her public role to just Amade (I don't think she'd ever hand that over) and maybe the Ballets. As for Andrea, I'm not sure she wants her son on the throne, but I think the whole Family has already discussed this issue when Rainier changed the Constitution...apparently he didn't mind Andrea on the throne (I wish he had left it directly to Caro, but at that point, after decades of Albert being the Heir and being groomed, it was probably too late; if Stefano had been still alive I think things might have gone differently!)

[eded]

Originally Posted by Laviollette

I think if Albert married someone other than a blonde bimbo, Caro would be happy to step aside and allow his wife to be a full and beloved sovereign princess.

Princess Caroline never insinuated she wanted the throne. She's already happy to be a wife and mother. I am certain the day Prince Albert will marry, she'll step aside as First Lady of Monaco. When this miraculous day will happen, she'll become a full-time jet-setter. As for Charlene, I don't think she's a blonde bimbo at all. It looks like she's more an infatuation than serious love. :p

[enchantednights]

I have always repsected this royal family and defended them to no ends whatever the case was. But I feel that Albert's (not illegitimate children) but the way he has behaved in the past, as we now see the effects and consequences of it, has been in my opinion putting a damp on what Rainier and Grace dedicated their lives to. Which was promoting Monaco and a family image. They spent their whole lives, sacrificing so much so that Monaco could be respected for its politics, arts, sports, etc..and even if this is his personal life, which should be none of our business, sadly he is a public figure. a head of state for that matter, and things are expected of him (noblesse oblige). He has been trained for this since birth like many other posters have posted and I myself have read.

I am/will not chastise him nor her for not using protection because we don't know and I am not one to speculate or go along with them so I will leave that at a moot point. but the way he has handled this has been horrible. a total circus. Things happen, condoms are only 97-98% effective, so there's always a possibility, but running away from his problems/sweeping them under the rug won't make them go away. if anything, over time the resentment of Nicole and Tamara would grow, and it did, due to his irresponsibility in acknowledging his two children. and now look, it blew over in his face, at the worst of times. the beginning of his reign. when he should be trying to gain respect from other monarchs.

Like other posters, I too wish Caro would be in charge. What a formidable woman she turned out to be. So what if she too had a past? Who doesn't? She has shown so much strength with all that life has thrown at her and has surpassed it all so gracefully that Rainier and Grace must be smiling down at her and at the new peace she has found. I think she is an incredibly strong woman with a sense of direction that most first borns have. I only hope Albert will grow a backbone and try to at least form some sort of father/child bond.

[GAYE]

Just A Thought
Can Any Of Us Imagine What It Is Like To Have Grown Up In The Public Eye .approaching Adulthood With Limitations On Your Freedom Of Choice.your Every Move Scrutinised.people Having Huge Expectations Of You.never Knowing If People Befriend You And Apreciate You For The Person You Are . What Pressure.
This Man Is A Human Being And Like Us He Has The Need To Love And Be Loved.i Dont Think For A Moment That He Doesnt Have Regret Or Has Not Suffered Personally .given His Position I Think He Has Taken A Brave Stand .he Is Presented Himself To Be A Straightforward And Honest Person Who Will Stand Accountable For His Actions And At Great Personal Cost He Will Be True To His Ideals.i Believe Both His Parents Would Be Extremely Proud Of Him.what I Remember About Princess Grace Was Her Kind And Loving Nature,what A Good Person .ithink That He Is Following In Their Footsteps And I Feel He Will Be A Strong Ambassador For His Country .let Us Wish Him The Best In Finding Personal Happiness And Respect Both Prince Albert And His Childrens Privacy And Give Them The Space To Develop A Close Relationship .it Could Be That He Has Tried To Protect Them From The Start.

[teense]

My wish for PA is that he would give up dating for a year(or more...) and just focus on his two beautiful children . They are both so healthy and vibrant. He could establish ties to Jazmin who has already grown to be an impressive young lady (Honor roll, Science award,etc). He could be having the time of his life playing with the preciously adorable Alexandre. His children won't be young forever.... and women will always be waiting around...
These two children are a part of him that he needs to find again.
I think he would learn so much about himself and about life. I believe he would would reconnect and have a clearer mind.

[PreDoc]

Originally Posted by enchantednights

yes he now has a 3 year old son, and a 14 year old daughter. that we know of.

Oh that's wonderful ... I knew about his adorable son but this is the first I've heard of a daughter; does she bear any resemblance to the beautiful late Princess Grace?

[Elspeth]

Go and have a look at the Jazmin threads, PreDoc; you'll see photos of her there.

[Irish ladybug]

Oh where do I begin. Yes royals in the past have had illegitimate children but they managed to keep them quiet and well provided for. Albert needs to grow up and keep his pants zipped and find a woman of decency and respectability who would make a good princess and bring back a good face to monaco. I dont know how the monaco people feel about their prince who has slung this in their face and how the catholic church feels about a man whose morals have been circling the drain. for goodness sake one of them was married. I think maybe Caroline needs to be made the in charge one. All of europes royals must be laughing their heads off at Albert. I apologize now to anyone who this may or may not offend.

[Laviollette]

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