Wednesday 21 September 2005

Albert II

Of all Europe's princes today, Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre must be one of the most amiable and likeable.  In looks more like his beautiful mother, the late Princess Grace than his two sisters, his personality too, seems less Gallic and fiery than Caroline and Stephanie.  Still, for all his quiet ways, one wonders whether he is a far more complex individual than either of his famous sisters, despite leading a substantially less controversial life.  At 47 he now sits alone on the seven centuries old throne of Monaco.  The time he prepared for all his life has arrived and he is ready.  

Whether or not he achieves the remarkable and somehow out-does his father�s fine achievements for Monaco, remains to be seen.  To be fair, Rainier reigned for a long time, from a young age - an almost impossible term for Albert to realise. Nevertheless, he must feel some pressure to live up to Monaco�s last and much loved Prince, who built the tiny country into what it is today.  But save an invasion of France, which completely surrounds the country, extending Monaco's borders seems unlikely.  There will probably not be any more man-made increases in Monaco�s size like the village of Fontvieille, reclaimed from the sea, on the eastern side of the Rock as the Prince has questioned the merits of increasing the country's population. What Albert must ensure is Monaco�s survival until it is time to pass on the batten.  

Albert seems more concerned that Monaco improves its financial and banking respectability in the international arena, already vowing to clamp down on money laundering.  And, as his father took care of building the principality, it's a prudent move by Albert to ensure prosperity and good relations with the outside world, particularly France, which could quite easily gobble up the principality should Monaco not take serious control of its financial responsibilities. 

To Monegasques, a question just as important as the country's economic sustainability is the continuity of the Princely Family.  Changes made by Rainier in the last years of his reign ensure that the throne may pass down through the female line to legitimate heirs but it's likely that neither he nor Princess Grace expected their son not to marry and create a family of his own at some stage.  Not simply to expedite a smooth succession but for Albert's own happiness. 

Kingdoms � and principalities for that matter � tend to attract greater interest when there is both monarch and consort at the helm.  Albert�s parents are a perfect example of this but so are others.  In this way, Albert is on his own.   While his father remained a bachelor longer than usual for his generation Albert, at 47, surpasses that age for his.  One look at any gossip magazine will show in full colour that Albert is not socially lonely.  He is constantly surrounded by scantily clad beauties younger than himself and without doubt the envy of thousands of men around the world but surely there must be hours everyday that he wishes he could share with someone special? 

It�s always easier sharing the weight of your world with someone else and monarchs are no different.  In fact, given the nature of their position, a good mate seems even more important.  Few monarchs, as far as I know, have not lamented the isolation of their position.  Queen Victoria went into an unfathomable decline after losing the only person she could share her personal thoughts with freely. King Hussein discussed the troubles of his region with Queen Noor and while Queen Elizabeth might not go as far as allowing Prince Philip to do �the boxes� with her, he is however, more than anyone else, privy to her innermost thoughts. 

For this reason, Albert will undoubtedly give the matter of marriage some careful consideration over the near future.  As Princess of Monaco, his future wife will at some stage be compared to his mother, just as Prince William�s wife will be compared to the late Princess of Wales.  And although Albert says this is often a sticking point in furthering a relationship, he should realise that whoever this woman might be, she will, in time, create her own place in Monaco�s history.  Already Monegasques less than twenty years old, know only the legend of the late Princess Grace. 

Perhaps not the most expected start to Albert's reign (although an admirably honest one) was his official acknowledgement of a young son, Alexandre, born after a liaison with a French flight attendant of Togolese heritage, Nicole Coste. Predictably, nothing came from the relationship except the little boy and when asked, Albert stated that it might not be the only claim to arise.  Aside from an obvious dire need of an introduction to the wonders of modern latex, it seems almost na�ve to imagine that some women may enter into a passionate moment with him with no motive other than to enjoy a romp with a nice-guy prince. 

Disappointingly Albert�s relationship with his young son is not good, affected by the far from cordial dialogue between parents.  This possibly explains Albert referring to Alexandre as 'the kid' in an interview, rather than something more appropriate like, 'my son' or at least, 'the boy'. Although Alexandre will never inherit the Monegasque throne, this should not prevent the development of a strong bond between a father and a son.  Tricked or not into fatherhood, it seems out of character for someone of Albert�s reported compassion to neglect the non-monetary welfare of his own child.  Just as it seems unfair that a child with no legitimate claim to the throne should be prevented from establishing good relations with his seven Monegasque cousins. Similarly, if Ms Coste is indeed the party responsible for Albert only seeing Alexandre once, what would convince her to allow Albert to forge a relationship with his son?