Prince Albert of Monaco's Eldest Son Alexandre Grimaldi Speaks Out in Rare Interview Ahead of 20th Birthday

"I am a happy man," the son of Prince Albert and Nicole Coste said in a new interview

Prince Albert of Monaco's firstborn son Alexandre Grimaldi is speaking out in a rare interview.

Alexandre — the son of Prince Albert, 65, and Nicole Coste, 51 — spoke to French magazine Point de Vue ahead of his 20th birthday on August 24 about his "benevolent" parents and how he considers himself "lucky."

Alexandre, who is studying business management at an English university, told the outlet that although he is the son of a monarch, his focus is on his academics. "The commitment which takes precedence in my life today is finishing my university studies," he said.

He added that he feels he's arriving at "the age when you make choices. These can be good or bad depending on the background you have and those around you. I think I'm certainly a reasonable person."

Born to Prince Albert and Togolese flight attendant Nicole before Albert's marriage to Princess Charlene, Alexandre was raised in privacy, largely shielded from public view. Acknowledged by his father as an infant in July 2005, Prince Albert has been constantly involved in his son's care and upbringing.

Related: Prince Albert of Monaco's Four Children Appear in Their First Public Photo Together

Though constitutionally barred from succession to the Monégasque throne, both Alexandre and his half-sister Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, 31, have been involved with family members and encouraged to spend time in Monaco. Both have been increasingly visible at public events.

When asked by Point de Vue what role he hopes to play in Monaco's future, Alexandre replied with a laugh, "I'm only 20. Let me get my diploma, and we'll talk about it."

The college student still lives at home with his mother and two older half-brothers from her past marriage — a situation he said he likes.

"It's a chance when you study and you don't have to worry about anything," he said.

Although he has attended events during Paris Fashion Week and says he has been asked to model, he said his interests were impacted by the pandemic.

"As a teenager, I thought about it," he said of modeling. "The idea of being photographed in nice clothes and looking elegant amused me. But COVID happened, and I ended up losing interest.

"I was also a minor," he added. "My father is a prince and head of state — I personally cannot imagine myself marching on a podium."

Having a grandmother who modeled — Oscar winner Grace Kelly, the American actress who became Princess Grace with her marriage to Albert's father Prince Rainier — and cousins who currently represent fashion houses like Chanel and Dior, he noted, "On the other hand, if a prestigious brand asks me to be its ambassador and its image suits me, why not?"

Alexandre's mother, Nicole, told Point de Vue that she has her opinion about his current style.

"I pray every day that he cuts his braids off," Nicole said with laugh. "This hairstyle pleases him, but I'd prefer to see his hair natural. He's promised me he'll take them off soon. I'm waiting."

Alexandre told the magazine he remains undecided about his future but notes, "My education has taught me to love my neighbor and to help him if necessary.

"Climate and environmental issues preoccupy me like everyone else and any young person in the 21st century. We must preserve nature," he continued. "The friends of my older brothers who have entrepreneurial parents collaborate with their fathers or with their family, and they are quite happy about it. So I don't have any concerns about that."

Being the "recognized" son of a prince, Alexandre explains, has not been the burden some might imagine. "I've had some rather happy times, to tell the truth, and I've never had the feeling that the way others, my friends in particular, change their views of me and who I am. But maybe I'm still too young to discern this. I appreciate my friends very much, and I hope they'll never disappoint me."

With his increasing public visibility, Alexandre is determined to change his public perception. Since 2022, with his father's encouragement, he has publicly gone by the family name of Grimaldi, refusing the hyphenated version of his last name that the press imposed on him since childhood. His decision, he maintains, was significant, and he bristles at those — especially online — continuing to call him Grimaldi-Coste or challenging his legitimacy.

"My father's name is Grimaldi. It makes sense that I bear his name. I would have been called Dochomel if my father had been Mr. Dochomel!" Alexandre says. "Besides, I never called myself Coste or Coste-Grimaldi. On no ID, at school or on my diplomas. Those who call me that have a malicious attitude."

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"My mother is tender by nature and let a lot of things be said because she was always advised to 'let the story go,' " Alexandre adds. "Me, I will be more procedural because I was born in France, but I grew up in an Anglo-Saxon country. I'll attack if necessary."

"Nor am I 'illegitimate' since when I was born, neither of my parents was in another marriage, and they did not commit adultery. Using that word is insulting! I hope no one believes the lies conveyed on the internet. One bears the name of one's father when one has been recognized since birth. I had voluntary recognition from my father when I was a baby. Not from a judge or the press who have forced him to," he says. "My mother, whom I adore is my rock, and she is not jealous at all of my choice. If she never said anything about my surname, it's been to protect our privacy. I was 2 years old when I was revealed in the press."

Alexandre says, "One thing is certain: Today, I am a happy man being open and honest with you."

Related: Prince Albert of Monaco Shares His Unexpected 65th Birthday Plans (Hint: His Kids Are Kidnapping Him!)

Sources previously told PEOPLE that Prince Albert's wife, Princess Charlene, encouraged the Prince to develop closer relationships with his recognized children. Though there were rumors that Charlene wasn't supportive of Albert's relationships with his older children, sources close to the royal couple said, on the contrary, "Charlene was really the one that was trying to pull the whole family together."

Encouraged by the palace, the bond between Alexandre and Jazmin Grace — as well as their relationship with royal twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella — remain essentially private. The established relationships between the four themselves have largely been disclosed by Instagram posts including portraits of Jazmin and Alexandre at the 2019 wedding of cousin Louis Ducruet. (Ducruet's mother, Princess Stephanie, is Alexandre's godmother.)

Without hesitation, Alexandre says Jazmin Grace "is my big sister, and I love her like I love my two big brothers on my mother's side. We all get along very well, and Jazmin is also very close to one of my two brothers with whom she shares the same birthday. We've a good relationship despite the fact that we live in distant countries."

As for Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, Alexandre acknowledges approaching his role with caution. Asked what he shares with the 8-year-old royals, he suggests "tenderness." He adds with a smile, "Not their toys. That's for sure given our age difference."

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