Bathed in sunlight and boasting breathtaking vistas of the Aegean Sea, the Athens Riviera is often hailed as one of the most stunning landscapes in the world.
It’s no surprise, then, that French DJ Ben Attal chose this enchanting locale to propose to model and designer Thylane Blondeau, who gained fame as a child and was once dubbed the “world’s most beautiful girl.”
The couple shared their engagement news on Sunday evening during their stay at the luxurious Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Greece. This five-star retreat offers guests a serene beachside experience where the sea, land, and local culture seamlessly blend—all for a luxurious rate of £600 per night.
Amid the exclusivity of the Four Seasons’ grounds, an overjoyed Blondeau showcased her engagement ring to her social media followers. The ring features a dazzling oval diamond set in a solid gold band, valued at over £30,000, and was revealed shortly after she accepted her boyfriend’s proposal amidst the scenic backdrop.
Captioning an array of photos, the model, 24, wrote: ‘I said yes to my best friend. Here’s to forever.’
Attal ensured the proposal was picture-perfect, with clear blue skies, a sprinkling of romantic red rose petals, a Michelin-starred meal, and cinematic views from the hilltop overlooking the ocean, making for an Instagram-worthy event.
Thylane Blondeau announced her engagement to French DJ Ben Attal on Sunday evening
Attal proposed as they unwound at the five-star, £600 per-night Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel on the Athens Riviera in Greece (pictured)
Later, with the vibrant heart of Athens just a 30-minute drive away, Blondeau was seen flaunting her engagement ring as the couple prepared for an evening out on the town.
The following day, she suggested the engagement came on their final night at the Four Seasons by sharing a photo of their suitcases, precariously stacked on a luggage trolley.
Celebrity jeweller and gemologist Benjamin Khordipour, of New York City based Estate Diamond Jewelry, has since described her ring as ‘approximately two carats, cut in an oval shape with an excellent cut quality.’
He told the Daily Mail: ‘Based on the photos, I would estimate the diamond to be around E color and VVS1 clarity. The design is very modern and minimalist, featuring a simple 18K yellow gold four-prong setting.
‘The elegance of the ring comes from its simplicity, which draws the viewer’s attention entirely to the center diamond.
‘I estimate the value of the ring to be around $45,000 (£34,000).’
He added: ‘Over the past few years, I’ve noticed many celebrities gravitating toward oval-shaped solitaire engagement rings.
‘Interestingly, this minimalist style echoes the late 1800s, when solitaire engagement rings were especially fashionable and prized for showcasing the beauty of a single diamond.’
The engagement, a surprise to Blondeau’s six million plus social media followers, comes almost six years after the enigmatic model embarked on a relationship with Attal, whose own Instagram account remains refreshingly private.
While their relationship has mostly been conducted away from the public eye – Attal rarely features on Blondeau’s social media platforms – the couple have been seen enjoying romantic holidays together in Saint Tropez.
The model was previously involved in brief relationships with YouTuber Raphaël Le Friant, and French DJ, Milane Meritte. She and Meritte first went Instagram official in January 2019 and would regularly be spotted on dates in Los Angeles prior to their split.
Blondeau has given followers a first look at her stunning engagement ring in a series of photos
Celebrity jeweller and gemologist Benjamin Khordipour, of New York City based Estate Diamond Jewelry, has since valued the model’s engagement ring at an approximate £34,000
Attal had gone to considerable lengths to ensure it was an Instagram friendly affair, filled with romantic red rose petals, Michelin star food and cinematic hilltop views of the Aegean
At the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Greece, where guests are invited to immerse themselves ‘in a serene beachfront escape where sea, land, and culture come together’
According to jeweller Benjamin Khordipour, the centre diamond of Blondeau’s engagement ring ‘appears to be approximately two carats, cut in an oval shape with an excellent cut quality’
The engagementcomes almost six years after the enigmatic model embarked on a relationship with Attal, whose own Instagram account remains refreshingly private
With central Athens a mere 30 minute drive from the Riviera, Blondeau was later seen displaying her engagement ring as the couple prepared to venture out for the evening
Blondeau was three years old when she was catapulted into the spotlight after an agent for the legendary fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier picked her out of a crowd in The Champs-Elysees and sent her strutting down a catwalk.
The model daughter of retired footballer Patrick Blondeau, she walked for Jean Paul Gaultier at the age of four and then later, aged 10, became the youngest ever model to pose for Vogue Paris.
She would famously be named the ‘most beautiful girl in the world’ by Vogue Enfants, an accolade she won on two separate occasions.
But the editorial attracted criticism at the time, for being too ‘sexualised’ as Blondeau wore short dresses and makeup.
Her fashion designer mother Veronika Loubry later defended the cover, telling one French newspaper: ‘The only thing that shocks me about the photo is the necklace that she’s wearing, which is worth three million Euros, or about $4.3 million.’
Six years later, she made her adult runway debut in February 2017, when she walked for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week. The debut was such a success the designer duo invited her back to walk for them again in September 2017.
Blondeau was also chosen as a brand ambassador for L’Oréal, and named the face of a perfume by French designer Lolita Lempicka.
She shared screen space with Zendaya, Lucky Blue Smith, and Presley Gerber, when Blondeau was chosen to be a part of Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2017 campaign.
Blondeau’s parents were married from 2002 to 2016 before their divorce, with her mother eventually moving on with a new partner – producer Gérard Kadoche.
As well as her infamous cover shoot for Vogue Enfants, Blondeau has worked for some of the biggest couture brands in the world including Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, L’Oréal Paris, Versace, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.
In a 2018 interview with The Telegraph, she said she distanced herself from the girl who was once declared the world’s ‘most beautiful’.
‘Even today, people are like, “you are the most beautiful girl,” and I’m like, “no, I’m still not, I’m just a human being, a teenager.
‘The elegance of the ring comes from its simplicity, which draws the viewer’s attention entirely to the center diamond,’ jeweller Benjamin Khordipour told the Mail on Monday
Blondeau suggested the engagement came on their final night at the Four Seasons after sharing a photo of their suitcases on Monday morning, stacked on a luggage trolley
Blondeau was three years old when she was catapulted into the spotlight after an an agent for Jean Paul Gaultier picked her out of a crowd (pictured on the Gaultier catwalk in 2006)
But amid the glamour, she has suffered an agonising health ordeal.
In 2021, Paris-based Blondeau revealed she’d recently had multiple surgeries for complications with ovarian cysts.
The vast majority of ovarian cysts are non-cancerous, although a small number are cancerous.. Cancerous cysts are more common in women who have been through the menopause.
Surgical treatment to remove the cysts may be needed if they’re large, causing symptoms, or potentially cancerous.
In some cases, surgery to remove both ovaries may be necessary, in which case women will no longer produce any eggs.
