Prince Albert of Monaco missed his daughter’s graduation last weekend in what was a notable absence.
Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, 22, who graduated on Saturday with a diploma from Fordham University, is the daughter of the Monaco royal, making her the granddaughter of Grace Kelly, the subject of the new film Grace of Monaco starring Nicole Kidman.
However the circumstances of her conception, in which her American mother Tamara Rotolo, 52, had an affair with Prince Albert whilst on a three week vacation in the French Riviera in 1991, have led to a complicated paternal relationship.
After reportedly cutting off contact with Rotolo when she gave birth, the Prince only acknowledged Jazmin as his daughter in 2006. He also has a younger, illegitimate son, Alexandre Coste. Neither Alexandre nor Jazmin are in line to the throne, but they are entitled to a share of Albert’s $1 billion fortune.
The Prince’s absence did not mean the ceremony was without distinguished guests. In attendance were US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who received an honorary doctorate of laws and Yankee Tino Martinez who also received an honorary doctorate and delivered the commencement speech.
