by HENRY SAMUEL and PATRICK SAWER
Prince Albert II of Monaco faces a paternity test after his wedding to Charlene Wittstock following claims that he has fathered a third child out of wedlock, officials have confirmed.
The French news agency Agence France Press said anonymous officials spoke of “the truth” of a reported falling out between the couple earlier in the week and of a probable demand that Prince Albert take a paternity test.
Albert already has a six-year-old son, Alexandre, through a former Togolese air hostess, Nicole Coste, and a 19-year-old daughter, Jazmin, with Tamara Rotola, an American estate agent.
Despite the development, none of Albert’s illegitimate children will have a claim to the throne under Monaco law, a source said. “Even if a third or even a fourth child is confirmed Albert will not have an official heir until Princess Charlene bears him one,” he added.
The French magazine, Public, has claimed that Prince Albert fathered “two new illegitimate children”, saying one is understood to be 18 months old and the son of an Italian woman who is preparing to take her story to the press.
Other publications, including Voici, have suggested that Miss Coste could have had a second baby to the Prince. The 40-year old raised eyebrows on Thursday when she was pictured in Monte Carlo on the eve of the wedding.
But for all the background rumours Monaco still basked in glittering pomp and majesty.
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