Royals

Jazmin Grimaldi pens a rare and heartfelt tribute to her father, Prince Albert of Monaco

It's been 17 years since the father and daughter first met - and this powerful message proves just how far they've come.
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She spent the first 11 years of her life not knowing her father was Prince Albert of Monaco.

But proving just how far they’ve come, Prince Albert’s oldest daughter Jazmin Grace Grimaldi has paid a heartfelt tribute to her father to mark Father’s Day in the northern hemisphere.

On Sunday, the 28-year-old shared a touching post via her Instagram page, celebrating the two main father figures in her life.

“I have been very fortunate to experience a lot of love growing up, and I have been extremely blessed to have two Father figures in my life,” Jazmin explained.

“I have led a private unique life and with that comes vulnerabilities, but one thing I know for certain is that sharing love and appreciation should never be an apology,” the aspiring singer penned alongside two images – one with her and Albert and the other with another man, presumably a stepfather figure and perhaps her mother Tamara Rotolo’s partner.

She added: “I’m so thankful for all that these two men have done, for their continuous love, protection, guidance, teachings and all they have sacrificed and accomplished! I respect and admire them both so much, and I only hope I make them as proud.”

“Along with my beautiful mother they have both helped shape the young woman I am today. The greatest similarity they share is their abundant heart ❤️.”

While her upbringing may have been unconventional, it hasn’t stopped Jazmin from forging a special bond with her biological father Prince Albert.

“The beauty in our relationships, as different as they may be at times is that we are still learning from one another daily and have such an effortless strength in our growing daddy daughter relationships. I couldn’t be more proud to be their daughter and celebrate them on this day. I miss them and hope to reunite soon! Sending lots of love to all the Fathers out there, biological and heaven sent,” she explained.

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“I have been very fortunate to experience a lot of love growing up, and I have been extremely blessed to have two Father figures in my life,” Jazmin explained next to these photos, featuring Prince Albert on the left.

(Image: @jazmingrimaldi/Instagram)

Princess Grace of Monaco’s granddaughter finished off her tribute by applauding all the men who help play the role of a father – biological or not.

“There is a precious sacred bond between a daddy and a daughter that can never be broken. Here’s to the men that are great fathers, biological or not that help shape lives, mentor, inspire and nurture young souls. I am in awe of the dedication and unconditional love parents have for their young especially single mothers and fathers that take on both roles. Love is love, love has no label and the soul knows no difference. Thank you ❤️ pops and daddio this ones for you,” she penned.

Jazmin, who is now based in New York, first rose to fame at the tender age of 14 when her father publicly acknowledged her as his daughter. The pair had previously met behind closed doors in Monaco when she was 11.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar in 2015, the aspiring singer revealed she’d formed a strong bond with Prince Albert since their first fateful meeting when she was 11 years old.

“I was 14, getting ready to go to high school, when it hit the media that my father had a daughter, and it was me. It’s a difficult time for any young adult, and it was an adjustment to have that attention. But I knew it was going to come someday,” she reflected on the dramatic turn of events.

“I wanted that moment to connect with my father, to get to know him, and to have him get to know me,” she said.

Before revealing: “Not having had that figure around, I missed that. It’s wonderful that it happened when it did, and we’ve been enjoying a great relationship ever since.”

Closer than ever: Jazmin and Albert have forged a strong bond since they first met 17 years ago.

(Image: @jazmingrimaldi/Instagram)

Jazmin, whose mother Tamara Rotolo had a three week fling with the Prince during a holiday to the French Riviera in 1991, isn’t the only child of Prince Albert.

Albert is also the father to Alexandre Coste, 16, who he welcomed in 2003 after a secret six year relationship with flight attendant Nicole Coste.

Because Jazmin and Alexandre were born out of wedlock, and as Article 10 of the Constitution of Monaco dictates, they cannot be royal nor inherit the throne.

Meanwhile, Jazmin has loved playing the doting big sister to Prince Albert’s five-year-old twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, whom he shares with wife Princess Charlene of Monaco.

“I can’t wait to be a sister to them and watch them grow up. They have these beautiful, big blue eyes – and they are both already so well behaved,” she told Harper‘s of her half-siblings.

Most recently, Jazmin has shared a slew of public posts in support of her father as he recovers from coronavirus, proving their strong bond after a rocky start.

“Prayers have been answered and my father has announced he is healed and healthy from the devastating Corona Virus! He is now free to go quarantine with family. This was very wonderful news to hear,” she penned at the start of April.

The 28-year-old loves playing the role of doting older sister to her half-siblings, twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.

(Image: Getty)

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