CLOSENESS/She is one of the people who knows the head of state best. Princess Stéphanie reveals to L’Obs’ how she experienced her brother’s development. Before and after he took the reins of Monaco.
Your brother has been ‘in business’for 10 years. What is your perception of the reigning Prince?
The global situation is not easy. He manages matters with a cool head and throws himself fully into projects. He is really fulfilled even if he is too busy and doesn’t have enough time for himself and his family. I don’t see him enough (smiles)…
Many things have happened on the personal side in 10 years. He has married and had children. Are these important times for the family?
And for him and his personal fulfilment, it’s capital. Whether or not you are the Prince of Monaco, starting a family is the loveliest thing in the world. With this personal fulfilment in one’s private life, one can only perform better in one’s professional life.
Did you have the impression that he felt external pressure due to his being a prince and the perpetuation of the dynasty?
Indeed, the outside world has put great pressure on him. But he has managed it very well. He did things when he felt ready. He is happy and fulfilled. That’s the main thing for me.
You who know him perfectly, how would you describe him?
He has great compassion and is very generous. Although he takes his time to judge a situation or people, he is always fair in his judgement. He does not give hasty blows, like my father in fact. In our family we all have this value of justice within us. It’s how we were brought up.
How is someone brought up when they are called to become Prince?
I’m a princess by birth, as my father and mother were Prince and Princess of Monaco. Our parents brought us up very ‘normally’, based on politeness and good manners. We were educated in Monegasque schools. Unlike other reigning families in Europe, we were not over-protected and enclosed in a cocoon. We had ‘normal’friends and my brother continued his studies at an American university. That’s undoubtedly why we are perhaps more open and people feel closer to us.
During your youth, was there no joining the elite?
No, that was never my thing (laughs). Above all, we used to spend time with my family living in the U.S.
Was that ‘normal’upbringing because of your parents’personalities?
It was a mixture of my mother’s American upbringing and father’s, that was more Latin. It was important to our parents to be together as a family, in the Roc Agel property where there were just us.
Did your father have more ‘military’influences, imparted by his grandfather Louis II, the soldier prince?
Yes, he did. He had a much more rigid upbringing that was very hard. It was also due to the times. I also think my father wanted to give us the tenderness he lacked as a child.
Was your father tougher with your brother, the Crown Prince?
I wouldn’t say tougher, but more demanding. It was for his own good, as he wanted to prepare him for his future duties. Being the Prince is a difficult position. People want to take advantage of you. My father had more rigour so he would be more fit and prepared for what awaited him. I don’t know what they used to say to one another. There was a 7 year age difference, so I don’t have many memories of those times. As an important company leader may do, he was preparing his son for all eventualities, decision-making, understanding people better etc. In our position we are prey to people who are not always well-intentioned.
Did your brother fear his future as reigning Prince?
It’s a heavy responsibility. It’s something that used to worry him, even though he felt well-prepared to take over power one day. With the impact that Prince Rainier would leave on Monaco, he was aware that it wouldn’t be easy to follow him. He needed to leave his mark and imprint on Monaco differently. To find a way to mark the history of Monaco his way. And he does so very well. I think that’s what worried him most – coming after a great man who made Monaco what it is today.
What is that mark?
It’s opening to the world through international organisations and his foundation for environmental defence. It’s important to make Monaco known for things other than rhinestones and sequins. As an example, I’d take the Solar Impulse Room mission based in Monaco. Fiscal transparency also comes to mind. We need to move with the times and reassure foreigners and major companies. We are moving ahead and attempting to cope as best as possible, despite the economic situation. He is a modern Prince.
He recognised his natural children at the start of his reign, is that also a sign of modernity and transparency?
You have to give him credit for that and I say hats off to him! That also helps give a good image of Monaco and the family. Some people criticise him for it. Yet, some men who are not the Prince and don’t have his responsibilities would not have had the courage to do it! And he, in his position, did it. One can only respect him for that. He’s a gentleman. I wouldn’t entrust anyone with the heavy burden of being in his place for one day!
There are strong ties between you and Prince Albert. How is he as a big brother?
He has always been adorable and protective. Rock solid patient with me. With the big age difference between us, he didn’t necessarily want to play with me but he always took the time to do so. He has always been there for me when I needed him. For the slightest blues, he was always there. We are a united family. Even more so in these last 10 years, as we are orphans. With my sister Caroline, we have always found our specific ways to help our brother and our country at our level, to give the best possible image. And we take pleasure in doing that.
Does the family stand together?
Today’s world is so gloomy. Family is the only true and sure thing. We can have lots of friends and colleagues but only the family is always there. Whatever happens, we know we can rely on one another.
Do you advise your brother in some areas, such as health policy?
I keep him informed about what I’m doing for the fight against AIDS, for example. I give him my view of things so that he doesn’t have just a version and a rumour of certain facts. Afterwards, he does what he wants with it. My role is also to have another perspective on certain situations. I feel duty-bound to give him an outside perspective.
There is always a court around men and women of authority – courtiers who butter them up. Does he listen to you?
My sister and I warn him. Because at times his entourage doesn’t tell him the full story. It’s important to have another view of some people. He does the sorting but we are able to make the right decisions when we hold all the cards.
Which of your parents’character traits has your brother inherited?
Even if his imposing bearing didn’t necessarily show it, my father was a very fun, sensitive and open person. My brother has inherited all that. Perhaps he also has my mother’s way of smoothing the rough edges. He is a sweet mix of our parents, as we all are. As for me, it seems I have much of my father’s character. People tell me so more and more often (smiles). I always say what I think and get straight to the point rather than skirting around things. It’s black or white with me.
You pursue your ideas. How are the elephants, Baby and Nepal?
They’re in good health and enjoying a quiet retirement. The Prince comes to see them in the summer when he has more time. With our daddy, we were always very close to nature.
Where do the Prince’s ecological convictions come from?
It’s an awareness. We were brought up very close to nature. My father started the protection of the Mediterranean and we would often talk about it. It’s been ingrained in us from our childhood, we used to speak about it in the family. Then, in the Prince it isn’t a matter of being green for the sake of being green! It’s a responsibility to conserve what we have been given. It’s a question of respect for future generations.
_Interview by Milena Radoman
