Paris — Call them Monsieur and Madame Clooney.

France’s government says George Clooney, his wife Amal and their eight-year-old twins Ella and Alexander have been awarded French citizenship.

The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star and his family were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published.

The government notice indicated that human rights lawyer Amal Clooney was naturalized under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. It also noted that George Clooney’s middle name is Timothy.

The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021. In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney described their “farm in France” as their primary residence – a decision the 64-year-old actor and his 47-year-old wife made with their children in mind.

“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood,” he told the magazine. “I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”

Growing up away from the spotlight, in France, “they’re not on their iPads, you know?” he said. “They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.”

Representatives for George Clooney didn’t respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment Monday.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Clooney retained his American citizenship. Amal Clooney was born in Lebanon and raised in the U.K. The were born in London.

In early December, George Clooney told French radio network RTL — in English, that “I love the French culture, your language, even if I’m still bad at it after 400 days of courses,” according to French news agency AFP.

Clooney owns an estate in Italy’s Lake Como region and he and Amal bought a historic manor in England, AFP reports, adding that they also own a New York apartment and a property in Kentucky.

But he told RTL his family’s French home “is where we’re happiest,” AFP noted.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle crushed any more oncoming commentary regarding their latest staff exit as they released a statement clarifying the update.

It was revealed that a key aide of the Sussexes, who had been a part of the team since before he helmed the couple’s Archewell foundation (renamed to Archewell Philanthropies), James Holt, had stepped down from his position.

Even though his glowing statement for his former employers suggested that there had been no tensions nor bad blood surrounding his exit, but it wouldn’t fail to raise eyebrows in light of the latest developments.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes released an equally appreciative but brief statement for mark James’s and noted that he is hasn’t severed any ties with them.

“James has been a stellar support for us for nearly 10 years,” they stated. “His enthusiasm and talent in overseeing our philanthropic endeavours have been extraordinary.”

They continued, “As James moves his young family back to the UK, we are proud that he will continue to guide various humanitarian trips for us overseas through Archewell Philanthropies.”

Meanwhile, royal expert, Richard Fitzwilliams, also explained that this isn’t exactly a setback for the couple but could indicate different plans.

“The details available indicate he is not severing ties with them but is returning to London,” Fitzwilliams told GB News, reiterating that Archewell Philanthropies is undergoing restructuring and job cuts.

“It is a very small charity; their ambitions are unfulfilled if they expected more donations,” he said. He further added that this could be to handle the UK charity matters more efficiently as the Sussexes continue work from Montecito.

George and Amal Clooney have officially become French citizens, marking a meaningful new chapter for the couple and their family as they continue to prioritize a quieter, more private life away from Hollywood.

The news was confirmed through a French government journal, which revealed that the Oscar-winning actor and his human rights lawyer wife were granted citizenship alongside their 8-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella.

The decision reflects a shift the couple has openly spoken about in recent years, especially as they focus on raising their children away from the pressures of fame. 

The Clooneys purchased a sprawling $8.3 million farm in the south of France in 2021, and it has since become their primary family base. 

For George, the move represents a return to a simpler lifestyle he values deeply.

“We’re very lucky,” he shared in a previous interview, explaining that growing up on a farm shaped his own childhood. 

“You know, we live on a farm in France. A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid I hated the whole idea of it. But now, for them, it’s like, they’re not on their iPads. They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.”

The actor has also been candid about his concerns regarding raising children in Hollywood. 

He admitted that he worried his kids would grow up under constant scrutiny and pressure. 

“I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life,” he said, explaining that France offers something different. “They kind of don’t give a s— about fame.”

Clooney has repeatedly emphasized that privacy was a major reason behind the move. 

“I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids,” he explained, adding that in France, paparazzi culture around children is nearly nonexistent.

He has also spoken warmly about embracing French culture, saying he enjoys the lifestyle even as he jokes about still learning the language. 

For George and Amal, life in France represents peace, normalcy, and the chance to raise their children away from constant public attention, something they both clearly value as they enter this new chapter.