Relationships Talk

Prince Albert of Monaco knows a thing or two about what it’s like for an American actress to marry into a royal family.

When his mother, Princess Grace Kelly, left her Oscar-winning acting career in 1956 to marry his father, Prince Rainier of Monaco, the media frenzy surrounding their fairytale wedding was perhaps even bigger than the one surrounding Meghan Markle and Prince Harry today.

His own wedding to Princess Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer from South Africa, also drew plenty of attention back in July 2011. So, obviously, he has some wisdom to offer to the nearly newlyweds for navigating married life under intense media scrutiny.

“I know Prince Harry and he’s a wonderful young man. If they ask me I would give them that advice, to make sure they have their intimate moments and to preserve those as much as possible because that’s so important for the balance of your life but also for your children you’re going to have,” Prince Albert told Hoda Kotb while giving Today an exclusive tour of his mother’s childhood home outside of Philadelphia.

Last July, before Harry and Meghan made it official, Prince Albert told People that navigating the press and royal protocol is, “a pretty tough act, especially in the British royal family, which is scrutinized by the press as no one’s been.”

“It was difficult for Charlene to handle,” he said. “I can’t imagine the difference now with the increased pace of news and social media.”

But he does think that Markle’s former career as an actress will help her.

“Mom said being an actress did prepare you a little,” Albert said about his mother, Princess Grace Kelly. “It familiarized you a little with the press. Mom taught us that you have to do all you can to protect your private life, but you also have to face the press at some points.”

Watch the full interview on NBC’s Today.