Albert and Charlene's Relationship

[royal pauper]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

Other than myself and miraglia(?) I don't think any posters have come here and "oohed" and "ahhhed" over CW. I think we have both stated that she looked lovely on a particular occasion. I for one have never referred to her as "Princess".

I am confounded by yours and other's assertion that new posters come here without "doing the homework". Do you mean going back and reading the posts? Reading as much as the European press that we can understand?

Fine. What do you say to those of us who have done ALL of the above and still don't agree with much of what CW is accused of being on this Forum??

My own humble opinion is that for months this Forum consisted of a small cadre of posters who shared markedly negative views of CW and posted articles and photos-some more than four years old-to support their "truth". There was little or no real dialogue. It was months of congratulating one another on their "intelligence" and the so-called articulate way that the criticisms were posted.

Then BOOM! A newcomer comes around and disagrees/opposes. I say the reason WHY I disagree, and am immediately rebuked as ignorant and uninformed and not up to speed. What an eye-opener.

I have stated this many times but here goes again...I don't think CW is the perfect bride-to-be for a Prince of Monaco. But...I also don't think she is the complete catastrophe some here have made her out to be. She seems rough around the edges. She apparently lacks refinement, and she needs lessons in protocol. But these are not issues that cannot be overcome and in any case PA and the Palace have not made any indication that she is being reared for this role(as one of the Moderators pointed out)

So why all the opprobrium?

Personally I like your posts even though I disagree with your opinions most of the time. At least you had always backed up your opinions by explaining your point of view which it seems to be much more liberal/less demanding then mine. Also I know by now that Miraglia "loves" Charlene and is openly ruting for her to become next princess... so everything Charlene does and wears is just sooo beautiful. It took me some time to accept her gushing over Charlene, since I haven't found any deepth in her (Charlene). Now I even find Miraglia's explanation, that she likes Charlene just because she likes her and that is all that matter to her, very cute.
Posters that are annoying to me are ones that pop up only when there is a "nice" photo of Charlene, which is not very often, and make statements that Charlene is the best thing ever to happen to PA, that she is the most beautiful girl by his side ever, that she looks nice and should be a Princess..... I find that ridiculous....
If PA was my neighbor I would said go for it, since I have seen many successful men marrying a dumb girls just to divorce in a few years after they (girls) had got kids and had financially secure their future. I could care less for one more idiot. Unfortunately for PA he happened to be a Prince and his wife won't just be his wife, but she will have an important job to do. At least i would expect that to be true. If PA's expectations are so low then be it. He didn't have to wait this long to do that!JMO
Charlene is who she is and there must be a good reason why PA is keeping her around, which we might never find out. I have no problem with that either!
My "problem" is A) that there are posters who believe "she" only needs to look nice to be married to PA, and B)that PA is bringing her places where she doesn't belong until she is his wife or at least his fiancee.
So...that's all! Ahhhh maaaan.........I am ready to move on! I am starting to annoy myself!!!

[royal pauper]

Originally Posted by miraglia1983

Can we please move on? I clicked the thread thinking that there was something new with Prince Albert and Charlene's relationship and that's what I am on this forum. Can we get back on track and just talk about their relationship? It's getting boring. Please post when you have something new to say about them. Thank you.

Sorry Miraglia for making your heart race, but it can't go any faster! No engagment yet!

[olga101]

Quote "...his misplaced and poor judgement....agenda...again not discerning true agenda of certain types of women.

Quote"...I think you're saying...sordid episodes of affairs with a black woman...and a hispanic woman."

I don't think the first person quoted is saying anything about the race of the person. I think she is referring to what she considers low class women who planned to trap Albert for money and immoral. As I've heard this many times before.

At any rate, at this point, imo we have two lovely innocent little human beings now and we need to be more delicate. And just see those affairs now as something those people engaged in as millions do--royalty and otherwise, willing and otherwise. IMO we're denigrating of sorts these little people.

[Lillia]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

I don't know if you are referring to me specifically in this message. On the chance that you ARE?? A) I am not young. I am middle aged. B) I don't expect to be "coddled" or "consoled" by you or anyone else on a message board Forum. C) I am not ignorant, or uninformed on any subject I choose to address here. D)I have never posted a "tirade" I don't care about being ignored by you or anyone. I am accustomed to being ignored here since I obviously don't share the majority view. That is fine with me.

Finally, I am not invested in any "fairy tale" regarding CW. I am too old for fairy tales and too jaded to believe in them. I DO believe in fairness and in giving people a chance. This was ingrained in me from childhood as part of an upbringing as a member of a minority race in America. I want to be given a chance and don't want my mistakes held against me forever, therefore I extend that courtesy to others. It's all quite simple.

I came to this board after lurking for many months and reading post after post. I read all the articles. I read your opinions. Guess what, ma'am?? I STILL DON'T AGREE WITH MOST OF YOU AND FIND SOME OF YOUR STATEMENTS PETTY, ILL-FOUNDED AND EVEN RUDE. You have the right to say the same thing about me, as doubtless you have or will.

I find it curious that any time a positive article appears about CW in any peridodical it is usually dismissed here as propaganda or white washing. Any negative thing is pounced upon as gospel. If anyone can explain this to me I'd be delighted.

The moderators have to come to this particular Board and issue admonishments more than any other. That tells me everything I need to know about the vaunted "intelligence" and fairness of the posts and posters.

The problem seems to be that many of you don't like being disagreed with and take any opposition to your opinion as an "attack" (I keep hearing that word. My conclusion is that we have vastly different ideas about what it means to attack another person vs. oppose or disagree with them)

Actually, I think diverse opinions are very healthy and I welcome hearing or reading them. I appreciate differing points of view, CaliforniaD, as I think many others here do. I don't believe that anyone need be attacked for their opinion, ever.

Now on the subject of CW, I started with the benefit of the doubt as you at first, but true or not then her story seemed to slowly unravel to just the same ole thing (again) from Albert - he goes and finds some girl that's interesting enough, starts sleeping around with her, but she's not suitable enough for him to marry and the reasons later become somewhat obvious nonetheless helped by his proclaimation about non intendion on the "M" word, imo. Shame on him. Alright. But if the focus is on her, whatever CW is reported to have said to the press about what she wants to do (meaning her own goals) seems to get more and more inconsistent as time goes on. OK. that's fine. She's in a career transition - ok, happens to everyone. I would imagine it is also very easy to get really distracted if that's what one could call it, from hanging out with Albert and his jet-set crowd. Not unexpected. Great. Good for her. But the inconsistency is pretty interesting -- not a threat to world peace by a long shot mind you, but interesting. CW talked of doing charity work, but after 2 years, nothing reported. She mentioned her focused goal of swimming in the OGames, but then doesn't even show for the competitive meets even when they are in Monaco - but it was reported that she intends to swim in the Masters. I don't think she's stupid or anything - she's clever enough to stay in the limelight by Albert's side, but I wonder what she's doing to further develop herself. At least try to finish her education along with the nice clothes and haircut. Being Albert's mistress/girlfriend/companion/whatever may only do for so long, then what next?

Since CW chooses to be the girlfriend of a Head of State who happens to be a Royal, then she should at least carry herself like she's got more going for herself than just whatever she can scrabble up on the good graces of Albert. JMO

I do hope she's making good decisions about what she'll do if one day she wakes up and finds herself not so interested in the parties and such. With no formal education, it may be a really rude awakening. Hopefully not. Again, JMO.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by royal pauper

Personally I like your posts even though I disagree with your opinions most of the time. At least you had always backed up your opinions by explaining your point of view which it seems to be much more liberal/less demanding then mine. Also I know by now that Miraglia "loves" Charlene and is openly ruting for her to become next princess... so everything Charlene does and wears is just sooo beautiful. It took me some time to accept her gushing over Charlene, since I haven't found any deepth in her (Charlene). Now I even find Miraglia's explanation, that she likes Charlene just because she likes her and that is all that matter to her, very cute.
Posters that are annoying to me are ones that pop up only when there is a "nice" photo of Charlene, which is not very often, and make statements that Charlene is the best thing ever to happen to PA, that she is the most beautiful girl by his side ever, that she looks nice and should be a Princess..... I find that ridiculous....
If PA was my neighbor I would said go for it, since I have seen many successful men marrying a dumb girls just to divorce in a few years after they (girls) had got kids and had financially secure their future. I could care less for one more idiot. Unfortunately for PA he happened to be a Prince and his wife won't just be his wife, but she will have an important job to do. At least i would expect that to be true. If PA's expectations are so low then be it. He didn't have to wait this long to do that!JMO
Charlene is who she is and there must be a good reason why PA is keeping her around, which we might never find out. I have no problem with that either!
My "problem" is A) that there are posters who believe "she" only needs to look nice to be married to PA, and B)that PA is bringing her places where she doesn't belong until she is his wife or at least his fiancee.
So...that's all! Ahhhh maaaan.........I am ready to move on! I am starting to annoy myself!!!

Hi RP, thanks for your kind and thoughtful response. I am actually more conservative regarding Royals than I appear to be in posts. During the unfortunate saga of the Prince and Princess of Wales, I was often apalled at Diana's behavior and found her dishonest and manipulative. "The People's Princess" stuff didn't move me at all, and I thought it was awful the way the populace badgered the Queen into "showing emotion" and attempting to force the poor woman into a display of grief that she perhaps did not feel.(at Diana's death) It disappointed me, because I always thought that the Brits were more dignified. BUT...I am not a fan of Camilla Parker Bowles and on the whole I admired the late Princess much more than her.

This current crop of Royal wives also disturbs me for many reasons. I am certain that Mette Marit Hoiby is a lovely woman in person, but I was appalled at the way Haakon apparently forced this woman upon his country by threatening to step down if he was not allowed to marry her...Mette Marit was involved with a crook and has a child by him. Even once they were given permission to marry, they flouted convention by living together openly up to the wedding, which was disgraceful. I think Johan Friso's wife Mabel Smit is another bad example of this current 20th Century and Western phenomenon of Royals choosing love above all other considerations when choosing a life partner. It's not that simple for them, sorry they are not like you and me in some areas.

Even Princesses Caroline and Stephanie have, in my eyes, done much to lower the bar on what is acceptable behavior among princely and aristocratic women.

In the case of CW, my personal choice is that PA would choose a woman who can contribute something to his Principality in terms of social awareness, intelligence and yes elegance and looks. Failing that I think she should at the very least be a DECENT HUMAN BEING who is capable of changing and growing. The jury is still out on whether Charlene is that person. I am not convinced that PA has any intention of marrying her or anyone else, I think he-like his siblings-is spoilt and entitled and sort of enjoys thumbing his nose.
He might feel that the succession is secure through The Princess of Hanover and her children. I think he is failing in his duty in this area, personally.

I agree with you. I don't feel Royal brides should be chosen in the area of looks alone. Everyone wants an attractive Princess, no one wants a homely one and that is understandable. I think people who come to the Forum and "ooh and ahhh" that CW would make a fine Princess based on how well she wears clothes are really being naive.

I know that my obsession with wanting fairness and balance might have made me appear more strident and intolerant than I actually am, and for that I apologize.

I will try harder to tone down my rhetoric in the future and maybe add some humor to the dialogue here.

[hibou]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

Hi RP, thanks for your kind and thoughtful response. I am actually more conservative regarding Royals than I appear to be in posts. During the unfortunate saga of the Prince and Princess of Wales, I was often apalled at Diana's behavior and found her dishonest and manipulative. "The People's Princess" stuff didn't move me at all, and I thought it was awful the way the populace badgered the Queen into "showing emotion" and attempting to force the poor woman into a display of grief that she perhaps did not feel.(at Diana's death) It disappointed me, because I always thought that the Brits were more dignified. BUT...I am not a fan of Camilla Parker Bowles and on the whole I admired the late Princess much more than her.

This current crop of Royal wives also disturbs me for many reasons. I am certain that Mette Marit Hoiby is a lovely woman in person, but I was appalled at the way Haakon apparently forced this woman upon his country by threatening to step down if he was not allowed to marry her...Mette Marit was involved with a crook and has a child by him. Even once they were given permission to marry, they flouted convention by living together openly up to the wedding, which was disgraceful. I think Johan Friso's wife Mabel Smit is another bad example of this current 20th Century and Western phenomenon of Royals choosing love above all other considerations when choosing a life partner. It's not that simple for them, sorry they are not like you and me in some areas.

Even Princesses Caroline and Stephanie have, in my eyes, done much to lower the bar on what is acceptable behavior among princely and aristocratic women.

In the case of CW, my personal choice is that PA would choose a woman who can contribute something to his Principality in terms of social awareness, intelligence and yes elegance and looks. Failing that I think she should at the very least be a DECENT HUMAN BEING who is capable of changing and growing. The jury is still out on whether Charlene is that person. I am not convinced that PA has any intention of marrying her or anyone else, I think he-like his siblings-is spoilt and entitled and sort of enjoys thumbing his nose.
He might feel that the succession is secure through The Princess of Hanover and her children. I think he is failing in his duty in this area, personally.

I agree with you. I don't feel Royal brides should be chosen in the area of looks alone. Everyone wants an attractive Princess, no one wants a homely one and that is understandable. I think people who come to the Forum and "ooh and ahhh" that CW would make a fine Princess based on how well she wears clothes are really being naive.

I know that my obsession with wanting fairness and balance might have made me appear more strident and intolerant than I actually am, and for that I apologize.

I will try harder to tone down my rhetoric in the future and maybe add some humor to the dialogue here.

I couldn't agree more - excellent post about royals. I think sometimes what we write and how we mean it doesn't always come across in the way we intended. I too would like to see someone who while attractive brings something to enhance the country of Monaco and help PA to further his world agenda and to help him be taken seriously. But your points on that are also well taken.

[royal pauper]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

This current crop of Royal wives also disturbs me for many reasons. I am certain that Mette Marit Hoiby is a lovely woman in person, but I was appalled at the way Haakon apparently forced this woman upon his country by threatening to step down if he was not allowed to marry her...Mette Marit was involved with a crook and has a child by him. Even once they were given permission to marry, they flouted convention by living together openly up to the wedding, which was disgraceful. I think Johan Friso's wife Mabel Smit is another bad example of this current 20th Century and Western phenomenon of Royals choosing love above all other considerations when choosing a life partner. It's not that simple for them, sorry they are not like you and me in some areas.

Even Princesses Caroline and Stephanie have, in my eyes, done much to lower the bar on what is acceptable behavior among princely and aristocratic women.

I agree with you. I don't feel Royal brides should be chosen in the area of looks alone. Everyone wants an attractive Princess, no one wants a homely one and that is understandable. I think people who come to the Forum and "ooh and ahhh" that CW would make a fine Princess based on how well she wears clothes are really being naive.
.

I seconed that! I just hope that PA won't follow the trend and choose the most unsuitable person for his wife. He would be much safer/better staying unmarried then to marry wrong one, especially at his age. Also, he is the only one from the European Royalties that actually rules.
While I think that it is a very romantic to put love above everything else, when it comes to royal marriages there are many other things to be considered as well. Royals can't have everything, something has to give, after all they do live "different" lives from us "mere mortals" and there should have much higher standards at least when choosing a spouse. Royal title does come with some sacrifice, after all! If ones can't handle it they should just move aside and give up all privileges. Otherwise why not be like everyone else if they want to live by the standards of ordinary folks.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by royal pauper

I seconed that! I just hope that PA won't follow the trend and choose the most unsuitable person for his wife. He would be much safer/better staying unmarried then to marry wrong one, especially at his age. Also, he is the only one from the European Royalties that actually rules.
While I think that it is a very romantic to put love above everything else, when it comes to royal marriages there are many other things to be considered as well. Royals can't have everything, something has to give, after all they do live "different" lives from us "mere mortals" and there should have much higher standards at least when choosing a spouse. Royal title does come with some sacrifice, after all! If ones can't handle it they should just move aside and give up all privileges. Otherwise why not be like everyone else if they want to live by the standards of ordinary folks.

I thought I was the only one who felt this way...so your response is a relief. I am not brave enough to state it as bluntly as you, because I was once called a snob and an elitist on another board LOL! But I feel exactly the same.

I'd rather see PA remain single than stumble into marriage with a bimbo or an unsuitable woman. I have no doubt that Princess Caroline could handle being a the Crown Princess and an excellent one. My concern is her son Andrea and
his siblings. Andrea strikes me a sort of a lost soul-since this is not the Forum to discuss him I won't elaborate. Let me just say that his image rignt now is not inspiring a lot of confidence.....

[Jaya]

Sounds like a Hitchcock movie but yes the calling of "reigning" demands much of you.I third what has been said here and I think PA will surprise us all by doing the right thing and delivering the happy ending we all want.
Deo Juvante

[LadyS]

I was wondering if any of Charlene's family has been seen in Monaco?

I don't know how close Charlene is to her family but I would have thought that if the relationship is serious or heading to marriage (it might not be going that way just theorizing) that her parents would have visited or that Albert would have been seen over here.

How did it work for the other princes who married foreign women? Do they meet the families in a neutral venue or place so nobody knows?

Sorry just a few questions on my mind.

Thanks

[AquaMarine]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

I thought I was the only one who felt this way...so your response is a relief. I am not brave enough to state it as bluntly as you, because I was once called a snob and an elitist on another board LOL! But I feel exactly the same.

I'd rather see PA remain single than stumble into marriage with a bimbo or an unsuitable woman. I have no doubt that Princess Caroline could handle being a the Crown Princess and an excellent one. My concern is her son Andrea and
his siblings. Andrea strikes me a sort of a lost soul-since this is not the Forum to discuss him I won't elaborate. Let me just say that his image rignt now is not inspiring a lot of confidence.....

CaliforniaDreamin, RoyalPauper and Jaya (the calling of "reigning" demands much of you! ) - I am number four in your bunch!

[kyansaunt20]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreamin

I thought I was the only one who felt this way...so your response is a relief. I am not brave enough to state it as bluntly as you, because I was once called a snob and an elitist on another board LOL! But I feel exactly the same.

I'd rather see PA remain single than stumble into marriage with a bimbo or an unsuitable woman. I have no doubt that Princess Caroline could handle being a the Crown Princess and an excellent one. My concern is her son Andrea and
his siblings. Andrea strikes me a sort of a lost soul-since this is not the Forum to discuss him I won't elaborate. Let me just say that his image rignt now is not inspiring a lot of confidence.....

I SECOND THAT..... Albert needs to stay single because CW doesn't seem like the material for royality. It doesn't matter if he is 80 before he takes the plunge he should just make sure it is the right one!

[goody7058]

I think that man in there fifty feel old but if they have young woman it make them feel young.

[sandsla]

Originally Posted by goody7058

I think that man in there fifty feel old but if they have young woman it make them feel young.

In their own distorted mind!

That might make them feel young, but it makes them look old!
Not to mention very insecure!

On the other board it was mentioned by some, how much more attractive Albert looked next to a women that was more age appropriate. (We were speaking of the woman he was walking into Saks with).

Having a trophy wife is a man using a women to desperately make a point that he is still valid. It objectifies women and that is why most women don't find this scenerio flattering. Most women these days are not interested in dating a man just to boost his ego. Unless one is the type of woman that is happy to serve as a commodity?

There are exceptions, but I don't believe it's the case with Albert, as it's not just Charlene's chronological age (which is worrisome enough). It is also that she does not carry herself in a mature way, as an adult women, it shows and is magnified next to Albert, by his age and position. Charlene does not come across as cultivated, even for her own age of 29. Perhaps Albert is trying to wait until his 20 something girlfriend has at least reached the age of thirty before he makes any kind of announcement. This doesn't make him any younger, or the age difference any less?

"Women marry men, hoping to change them. They never do.
Men marry women, hoping they'll never change. They always do."
-Oscar Wilde

[Lillia]

Originally Posted by sandsla

In their own distorted mind!

That might make them feel young, but it makes them look old!
Not to mention very insecure!

On the other board it was mentioned by some, how much more attractive Albert looked next to a women that was more age appropriate. (We were speaking of the woman he was walking into Saks with).

Having a trophy wife is a man using a women to desperately make a point that he is still valid. It objectifies women and that is why most women don't find this scenerio flattering. Most women these days are not interested in dating a man just to boost his ego. Unless one is the type of woman that is happy to serve as a commodity?

There are exceptions, but I don't believe it's the case with Albert, as it's not just Charlene's chronological age (which is worrisome enough). It is also that she does not carry herself in a mature way, as an adult women, it shows and is magnified next to Albert, by his age and position. Charlene does not come across as cultivated, even for her own age of 29. Perhaps Albert is trying to wait until his 20 something girlfriend has at least reached the age of thirty before he makes any kind of announcement. This doesn't make him any younger, or the age difference any less?

"Women marry men, hoping to change them. They never do.
Men marry women, hoping they'll never change. They always do."
-Oscar Wilde

Most women who have something going for themselves (like Tracy Mattes) would probably not tolerate being objectified. Trophy? Well, CW is totally willing to be the trophy, and it's obvious that she has a different set of values for governing herself than a woman whose convictions are not to ever be seen as just an object to be used and then possibly discarded (or put aside on the shelf).

But this is the needy-with-limited-options-social climbing-type, now-wannabee-princess-type girl that Albert likes. He keeps getting the same basic person over and over again, and all of them have stayed the same approximate age too, while he has continued to get older.

I read somewhere that age differences accelerate as people get older - like the difference between 48 and 68 is huge. Perhaps even bigger than it seems between 28 and 48. Especially in the case with CW because of her (imo) lack of sophistication.

When Albert starts getting even older and perhaps fatter, crabby and grumpy like an old man and needs someone to feed him, will she be willing to do that?

[sandsla]

Originally Posted by Lillia

Most women who have something going for themselves (like Tracy Mattes) would probably not tolerate being objectified. Trophy? Well, CW is totally willing to be the trophy, and it's obvious that she has a different set of values for governing herself than a woman whose convictions are not to ever be seen as just an object to be used and then possibly discarded (or put aside on the shelf).

But this is the needy-with-limited-options-social climbing-type, now-wannabee-princess-type girl that Albert likes. He keeps getting the same basic person over and over again, and all of them have stayed the same approximate age too, while he has continued to get older.

I read somewhere that age differences accelerate as people get older - like the difference between 48 and 68 is huge. Perhaps even bigger than it seems between 28 and 48. Especially in the case with CW because of her (imo) lack of sophistication.

When Albert starts getting even older and perhaps fatter, crabby and grumpy like an old man and needs someone to feed him, will she be willing to do that?

That's true, that is why I was stunned to see him with Charlene, after what he has had to deal with in the past with the last two? It is clear that character and substance hold no interest for Albert when it comes to how Albert regards or chooses the women he wants in his life? It is surprising to me since he grew up with women that I would have thought were very different.

I think he is a bit simple when it comes to his emotional development and I'm guessing he will probably continue to pay a price for it. I don't believe he is a very sophisticated man or we would see him with a different kind of woman. He likes to date women he can impress easily. I'm afraid he get's what he advertises for and he seems more than willing to pay the price.

Didn't Rainier have to sue his grandfather, because he was going to leave it all to the last woman in his life? I think there was good reason that Rainier thought he should leave Caroline as much as Albert. He wanted something to be left for the next heir. I think he didn't have a lot of confidence in his son's taste & judgement in women (for good reason). I think he also thought there might be a good chance Caroline's children would be next in line, which I think is fine.

Albert should find an adult women that can handle herself and the role she will inherit,and that can make him happy in more ways than one. I hope Charlene is worth the price for whatever happiness she seems to be giving him? I wonder if he thinks Tamara & Nicole were?

I can attest even at my age that the age difference grows bigger. I would never date men now that I did when I was younger. It's been my experience that women are the ones that dump their older husbands & trade them in for younger models. Any man who thinks otherwise should remember the Heather Mills saga? That is why I included the Oscar Wilde quote.

[rarotonga]

Originally Posted by sandsla

That's true, that is why I was stunned to see him with Charlene, after what he has had to deal with in the past with the last two? It is clear that character and substance hold no interest for Albert when it comes to how Albert regards or chooses the women he wants in his life? It is surprising to me since he grew up with women that I would have thought were very different.

I think he is a bit simple when it comes to his emotional development and I'm guessing he will probably continue to pay a price for it. I don't believe he is a very sophisticated man or we would see him with a different kind of woman. He likes to date women he can impress easily. I'm afraid he get's what he advertises for and he seems more than willing to pay the price.

Didn't Rainier have to sue his grandfather, because he was going to leave it all to the last woman in his life? I think there was good reason that Rainier thought he should leave Caroline as much as Albert. He wanted something to be left for the next heir. I think he didn't have a lot of confidence in his son's taste & judgement in women (for good reason). I think he also thought there might be a good chance Caroline's children would be next in line, which I think is fine.

Albert should find an adult women that can handle herself and the role she will inherit,and that can make him happy in more ways than one. I hope Charlene is worth the price for whatever happiness she seems to be giving him? I wonder if he thinks Tamara & Nicole were?

I can attest even at my age that the age difference grows bigger. I would never date men now that I did when I was younger. It's been my experience that women are the ones that dump their older husbands & trade them in for younger models. Any man who thinks otherwise should remember the Heather Mills saga? That is why I included the Oscar Wilde quote.

I think Tamara was more of a one-night stand than a long-standing affair. His relationship with Nicole lasted for about 5 years and was kept out the public eye.

The thing I can't reconcile now is how the media calls the PGA a family affair, and any woman see as Albert's date is relegated to as "the one." Despite taking Alicia Warlick (perhaps the only public outing Albert & Alicia had), the palace finally had to release a statement that there will be no engagement or something to that effect. For me, the PGA is a celebration of Grace together with members of the princely family, friends, sponsors, etc.

[Lillia]

Originally Posted by sandsla

That's true, that is why I was stunned to see him with Charlene, after what he has had to deal with in the past with the last two? It is clear that character and substance hold no interest for Albert when it comes to how Albert regards or chooses the women he wants in his life? It is surprising to me since he grew up with women that I would have thought were very different.

I think he is a bit simple when it comes to his emotional development and I'm guessing he will probably continue to pay a price for it. I don't believe he is a very sophisticated man or we would see him with a different kind of woman. He likes to date women he can impress easily. I'm afraid he get's what he advertises for and he seems more than willing to pay the price.

Albert should find an adult women that can handle herself and the role she will inherit,and that can make him happy in more ways than one. I hope Charlene is worth the price for whatever happiness she seems to be giving him? I wonder if he thinks Tamara & Nicole were?

I can attest even at my age that the age difference grows bigger. I would never date men now that I did when I was younger. It's been my experience that women are the ones that dump their older husbands & trade them in for younger models. Any man who thinks otherwise should remember the Heather Mills saga? That is why I included the Oscar Wilde quote.

All good points, and I agree. I am surprised by Albert in a way, but then not surprised at all. I don't begrudge him his happiness, in fact, just the opposite. But it would be interesting to see him with someone who could really fire-up everyone's imagination and really inspire people for once, rather than just someone who comes off like she was made from some quick & easy dessert mix. You know: different flavor, same formula (just add water). No muss, no fuss, no preparations - just instant cake.

A more mature woman would probably challenge Albert in ways that he's probably not able or wanting to handle (yet). She'd probably have a higher bar, even though Albert comes with some interesting baggage. Too bad Albert isn't attracted to high quality women.

[Hanna Regina]

There are lots of gorgeuos and sophisticated women in their thirty's and forty's who would perhaps suit prince Albert better, and for some reason he doesn't seem to have a problem attracting beautiful women. This makes my synical self think that he is going for breeding stock rather than a wife and fist lady of Monaco. If this is the case, a 28-year old, athletic woman is a good choise. She's young enough to have several children, but not too young and inexperienced, although a bit naive, perhaps?

I really hope that I'm wrong and that he really loves and wants to marry Charlene. After this years official outings, Albert will look like a fool if he doesn't marry her. My opinion ofcourse..

[RADKER18]

If Charlene is at National Day ( Witch I Hope Not ) then maybe it will go to the next level.