Monaco's Prince admits illegitimate son

Monaco's new ruler, Prince Albert II, has acknowledged fathering an illegitimate son with an Air France flight attendant - and is urging respect for the toddler's privacy.

Albert - in his first public statement since French media broke the story weeks ago - said he is the father of Alexandre, now almost 2.

Nicole Coste, originally from the African nation of Togo, is the mother.

A child must be born in wedlock to assume the throne of the tiny principality.