Michael Jackson is probably one of the planet's most controversial celebrities, and there's no need to start drawing up a list exposing all the motives for this particular assertion, as we'd probably need a whole website especially dedicated to reasons for which Jackson - despite his huge talent and decisive contribution to the development of modern music - can be seen as an increasingly strange, even eerie character. It may be the fact that he keeps losing parts of his face, it may be the sheer amount of cosmetic surgeries he underwent or it may be the fact that he kept his kids' faces hidden behind veils while in public for most of their lives so far - but something tells me Michael's tree doesn't go all the way up to the top branch, if you know what I mean.

I don't know if you remember, but shortly before Christmas we saw Michael in public with his face covered in bandages, the reason for that being that he lost part of his upper lip as he was playing with his youngest kid. Don't ask me to say that again. The fact is, I always (rightfully I think) imagined that Michael's kids would definitely be marked by their dad's strange behavior over the years. I somehow think that a child who is forced to go out in public with a veil, mask or scarf always covering his face would tend to have a rather strange outlook on life, somehow - but at least on the outside, Michael's brood looks absolutely normal.

Ten-year-old Prince Michael I, Paris, nine and five-year-old Prince Michael II (generally known as Blanket) were photographed for the first time without any head gear on at the Luxor Hotel Casino in Las Vegas earlier this week, and as you can see for yourselves, they look absolutely cute. The elder kids bear a strong resemblance to their mother, Michael's first wife Debbie Rowe - and they look happy and at ease with not having their faces covered. His kids are said to be Michael's greatest comfort in life, and his main source of concern.

"To him, it's just one big adventure. Nothing fazes the guy. He's all about his kids, anyway. As long as he has his kids, he's fine. He spends all of his time making sure the children are happy. They're schooled at home by their nanny, Grace Rwaramba. All three treat Grace, who is from Rwanda, as they would a mum. They love her madly. Michael does, too. He's a big kid himself and plays silly games with the kids. He's also strict - they're well-mannered. He doesn't let them out of his sight" states one of the singer's former attorneys. Well, that all sounds great - and I hope there's no more Michael Jackson controversy on the way for whatever reason, since we've had enough of that to last us a lifetime.