Thylane Blondeau’s Stunning Proposal in Athens!

Sun drenched landscapes and sweeping views of the Aegean Sea arguably make it one of the most beautiful views in the world. 

Fitting then, that French DJ Ben Attal chose the glamorous Athens Riviera as the site of his marriage proposal to model and designer - famously labelled the world's most beautiful girl after launching her career as a child. 

The couple announced their engagement on Sunday evening as they unwound at the five-star Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in , where guests are invited to immerse themselves 'in a serene beachfront escape where sea, land, and culture come together in perfect harmony' - all for an eye-watering £600 per-night. 

It was here, in the exclusive grounds of the Four Seasons, that an ecstatic Blondeau gave social media followers their first look at her engagement ring - a sparkling oval diamond, set in a solid gold band and worth more than £30,000 - shortly after accepting her boyfriend's outdoor proposal.

Captioning an array of photos, the model, 24, wrote: 'I said yes to my best friend. Here’s to forever.' 

Naturally, Attal had gone to considerable lengths to ensure it was an Instagram friendly affair, conducted beneath a cloudless blue sky and filled with a sprinkling of romantic red rose petals, a Michelin star menu and cinematic hilltop views of the ocean. 

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. 

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 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, .

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.

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.