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Robert De Niro went public with his romance with a mystery woman as they enjoyed a day out on the coast of Côte d'Azur, France on his 78th birthday on Tuesday. 

The actor, who is in a bitter divorce battle with his estranged wife Grace Hightower, walked hand-in-hand with his partner while making their way down a rocky staircase - before the pair kissed on a luxury $200million yacht owned by De Niro's friend and business partner, billionaire James Packer.

Robert looked happy and relaxed in the company of the woman as they supported each other while climbing down the walkway on a rocky cliff edge.

They were also pictured together in New York in June and attended the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa on July 31, in pictures which appeared on social media but were later deleted.

Something to tell? Robert De Niro was seen putting on a cosy display with a mystery woman as they enjoyed a day out on the coast of Côte d'Azur, France on his 78th birthday on Tuesday 

Hot day: The brunette wiped her neck with a white rag as she sat with a pal amid the blazing heat 

The pair left luxe Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc to head out for the day on a boat accompanied by other friends.    

The iconic actor cut a casual figure during his vacation on the French Riviera, donning a light blue oversized polo top and khaki slacks.

Robert kept things comfortable in a pair of black slider sandals and shielded himself from the sun in a navy blue flat cap. 

PDA: The new couple were seen to be sharing a kiss aboard the boat in the sun

Cosy: The actor, who is in a bitter divorce battle with his estranged wife Grace Hightower, and his new partner walked hand-in-hand while making their way down a rocky staircase before joining pals on a luxury yacht.

Turbulent love life: Robert, 78, is in a bitter divorce battle with his estranged wife Grace Hightower, 66, (pictured in 2018)

His female companion, meanwhile, looked elegant in a cream maxi dress which boasted bright orange floral embroidery on the skirt.

The raven-haired beauty carried her essentials in a red quilted purse and protected her eyes from the Mediterranean sun with light-tinted sunglasses. 

The pair appeared enamoured with each other as they stayed close during the outing. 

There it is: The star is holidaying on 108m Benetti yacht 'IJE' owned by Australian billionaire James Packer

Together: The pair looked close as they chatted and embraced aboard the yacht

Smile: The Raging Bull star looked in great spirits as he chatted with his female companion

Take my hand: Robert looked happy and relaxed in the company of the woman as they supported each other while climbing down the walkway on a rocky cliff edge

I've got you: The mystery lady proved to be a great support to Robert as they made their way down the stone steps 

Looking good: The iconic actor cut a casual figure during his vacation on the French Riviera, donning a light blue oversized polo top and khaki slacks

Sunny days: The brunette beauty caught the sun in her billowing maxi dress with cut-out detail at the back

One step at a time: The duo carefully navigated the stone steps

Hop off: Robert watched his step as he climbed off a smaller boat

MailOnline has contacted Robert's representatives  for comment. 

The star is holidaying on 108m Benetti yacht 'IJE' which can accommodate up to 22 guests overnight in 11 cabins. 

IJE stands for the initials of Packer's three children, Indigo, Jackson, and Emmanuelle.

The lavish yacht has a crew of 29 to ensure that everyone on board receives first-class service throughout every journey. 

The yacht boasts boasts an outdoor bar, a gym, a beauty salon, a helipad, a cinema, a fire pit, a swimming pool and a dance floor. 

The yacht has a maximum speed of 18.5knots and was lauded as the 'flagship' for Benetti following the launch in 2018 and its delivery in 2019.

Romance rumours: The pair appeared enamoured with each other as they stayed close during the outing

IJE has a stunning observation deck, with the owner's deck and the main deck boasting alfresco dining areas and sunbathing spaces.   

De Niro and Packer are friends and business partners - in 2015 Packer’s Crown Resorts paid over $100 million for 20 percent of Nobu, the Japanese restaurant chain owned by De Niro, Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper

The pair have also partnered for the upcoming Nobu Beach Inn in Barbuda.    

De Niro seemed in good spirits on the trip with his companion, despite needing some support to jump on board the vessel - likely due to his recent leg injury while on location of Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon earlier this year.

A representative of De Niro told Page Six in May: 'De Niro injured his quadriceps muscle which will be treated medically in New York'. 

Fantastic four: The Taxi Driver star and his companion were joined by two other friends

Just keep going: The group appeared to take it slow and steady as they made their way down the stone steps

Take it easy: Robert was taking cautious steps as he recovers from a recent leg injury

Just for a moment: Robert and his pal briefly let go of each other's hands as they arrived on a platform

Hey there: The pair interacted with members of the crew as they reached the bottom

Fun in the sun: Robert posed for a fun photo with a pal as his son Elliott, 23, who he shares with ex Grace, looked on

Who's that? The woman and the screen legend looked deep in conversation during the day

The rep also said that his injury would not affect the production schedule of the Western true crime thriller, which also stars Leonardo DiCaprio.

On Saturday, the New York native was seen walking without his leg brace - for the first time since being treated for his injury in May. 

It is not clear whether De Niro was wearing his brace once again whilst holidaying in France on Tuesday. 

Just the two of us: The couple appeared very relaxed in each other's company 

New spot: Robert and his friend remained holding hands as they made their way to a lunch spot

Finally: The pair looked firmly  ahead as they made their way towards the eating area

Time to chill: The group were later seen sitting down for lunch following their stroll

By his side: Film star stayed close to the beauty as they chatted to another companion

Robert's outing comes amid his torturous divorce battle with ex-wife Grace.

The ex-spouses have been locked in a divorce battle since December 2018. 

In April, a judge ruled that his ex-wife, 66, should receive $1 million annually and that the couple will split the proceeds after selling their $20 million home.  

Sighting: In June, Robert was seen with the same lady when he stepped out in New York City

Travel in style: The huge water vessel certainly made for quite the sight

Robert and Grace were married in 1997, split in 1999, then got back together, renewed their vows in 2004 before he filed for divorce in 2018.

Initially the pair fought over custody of their nine-year-old child but now the arguments are over money and property. 

Hightower's average monthly spend was $215,000 a month on credit cards and $160,000 in cash. De Niro's attorney, Caroline Krauss, claims the financial strain means the actor is running out of money. 

Support needed: De Niro seemed in good spirits on the trip, despite needing some support to jump on board the vessel

Holiday style: He kept things comfortable in a pair of black slider sandals while his female companion looked elegant in a cream maxi dress 

Helping hand: Robert needed a helping hand likely due to his recent leg injury while on location of Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon

She said the coronavirus pandemic led to a drying up of work projects for the Hollywood star.

Months earlier, De Niro earned $5 million for acting in Martin Scorsese's hit gangster flick, The Irishman. He also received 'tens of millions of dollars' through a federal coronavirus relief program.

Hightower claims that De Niro is worth $500 million, but his attorney Caroline Krauss says that his estranged wife's extravagant lifestyle is making things worse. 

Summer style: The raven beauty carried her essentials in a red quilted purse and protected her eyes from the Mediterranean sun with light-tinted sunglasses 

Interaction: The film star was seen interacting with the crew as his lady friend watched on

Good day: The duo appeared in good spirits as they chatted together amid the sunny outing 

This way: The film star beckoned to his companion as the crew watched on

Down time: The Godfather star looked to be enjoying some down time from his busy schedule

Friends: De Niro and Packer are friends and business partners - in 2015 Packer’s Crown Resorts paid over $100 million for 20 percent of Nobu, the Japanese restaurant chain owned by De Niro, Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper (pictured 2015)

In 2019 alone, she reportedly spent $1.67 million (£1.2 million), most of it on a $1.2 million (£860,000) diamond from a high-end New York jewellers.

On top of Grace’s rocketing financial demands, De Niro's attorney revealed the actor owes millions in unpaid taxes. She said the income from his next two films will be devoted to paying off this debt, which in 2015 was revealed to be $6.4 million (£4.6 million).

Naturally, the Hightower camp hasn’t taken all this sitting down. Her lawyer, Kevin McDonough, countered that his client was owed payments to ‘maintain the status quo’ lifestyle she enjoyed with De Niro during their marriage. 

Before this, he was married to actress Diahnne Abbott, but the pair divorced in 1988.

Robert has six children; Drena, 49, Raphael, 44, Helen Grace, nine, Elliot, 23, Julian Henry, 25, and Aaron Kendrick, 25.  

Exes: Robert De Niro and Grace were married in 1997, split in 1999, then got back together, renewed their vows in 2004 before he filed for divorce in 2018 (pictured 2018)