5 MAY 2005

As reports of Prince Albert's alleged love child make headlines around the world, Monaco's Royal Palace has refused to comment on the story. Information on the revelations has been restricted to a terse statement from Prince Albert's lawyer, Maitre Thierry Lacoste, saying: "A judicial strategy will be determined within the next few days."

Albert is said to be in talks with his lawyers over how best to respond to the claims that he is the father of a West African air stewardess' 21-month-old son.

Nicole Coste, from Togo, claims she had been seeing the Monegasque prince, who has a reputation as a confirmed bachelor, for five years. According to the former Air France stewardess a DNA test has proved the 47-year-old's paternity.

Speaking to French magazine Paris Match, Ms Coste says she decided to speak out now so that "Alexandre can grow up like a normal child with a father". She adds that she's "fed up with lying and pretending to be (Albert's) friend's mistress".

The brief statement issued by the prince's lawyer draws attention to the timing of Ms Coste's claims – Albert inherited the throne from his father, Prince Rainier, just under a month ago. "You need to ask yourself why this affair has just come out now," writes Maitre Lacoste.

While proof of parentage might mean that young Alexandre is elegible for a share of the Grimaldi dynasty's £800 million fortune, the toddler has no claim on the throne. Under the current constitution, which was revised in 2002, only the "direct and legitimate descendants" of the sovereign can ascend.