Monaco's Princess
Charlene is seeking a lady-in-waiting. The lady companion must
be discrete, courteous and always ready to help the princess
both while traveling and with her guests. The French daily Le
Figaro revealed that Charlene is still assisted by Virginia
Gallico, Grace Kelly's former lady-in-waiting and current top
palace staff member. . .
Princess Charlene dazzles on Monaco's
National Day
ibtimes.com 20 Nov 11 Newlyweds
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco greeted its
citizens and led the country in observing its National Day on
Saturday. During the morning ceremonies and the gala evening
festivities, the princess opted for dresses in monochromatic
colors. This was the first National Day that Charlene attended
as princess of Monaco. During the celebrations, the royal couple
was joined by Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie, along
with Caroline's children: Andrea, Caroline, and Pierre Casiraghi,
and Princess Alexandra. The holiday dates back to 1856. Albert
moved the holiday to Nov. 19, the feast day of St. Rainier of
Arezzo, in honor of his father, Prince Rainier III.
Monami Thakur.
Monaco royal couple shoots down 'runaway
bride' rumors
msnbc.com 02 Nov 11
Charlene Wittstock looked serene at her July 1 wedding
to billionaire Prince Albert II of Monaco. But up until
the day she said “I do,” she was dogged by reports she
had tried to run away from her opulent nuptials. In an
exclusive interview with Matt Lauer on TODAY Wednesday,
the 33-year-old former Olympian from South Africa said
that she was a victim of the press’s overactive
imagination in the hoopla leading up to a royal wedding.
“Why would you go through all this effort to have this
fantastic, you know, couple of days and have our most
intimate, dearest friends come and join us for us to be
reluctant?” Princess Charlene said as she sat alongside
her new husband. “You know, for me, it just sounded
hilarious.” Days before the wedding, the French weekly
paper Le Journal du Dimanche reported Whittstock made up
to three attempts to flee Monaco in advance of her
wedding to Prince Albert.
Michael Inbar.
Exhibition on the royal wedding in Monaco:
100,000 visitors in less than a month lexpress.fr
04 Aug 11 Less than a month after
it opened to the public, the exhibition "The History of the
royal wedding" received its 100,000th visitor Thursday afternoon
, announced the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, who hosts the
exhibition until November 22. The museum reserved a special
welcome to the 100,000th visitor and his family, coming from
Loir-et-Cher, by organizing a "VIP tour" of the premises, as
well as the aquariums. The family received gifts, including
coffee mugs bearing the image of the royal wedding and a case of
official champagne. AFP.
Monaco royals sue over break-up rumours
channelnewsasia.com 26 Jul 11
Monaco's Prince Albert II and his new wife filed a suit Monday
against a French magazine they claim spread false rumours of
discord ahead of their wedding celebrations. Summons were filed
against L'Express magazine at a court in Nanterre, for invasion
of privacy and publishing "incorrect facts about their private
life". The magazine declined comment. Rumours that Charlene
Wittstock tried to leave the principality in a huff just days
before the royal wedding ceremony have been rejected by the
palace. L'Express magazine had reported on its website that
Wittstock, now Princess Charlene, interrupted preparations for
the lavish celebrations early July and prepared to take a flight
for her home country South Africa.
AFP.
Monaco's newlywed princess 'very happy'
abc.net.au 25 Jul 11
Monaco's newlywed Princess Charlene is "very happy", the South
African bride's brother says, rejecting rumours that her
marriage to Prince Albert II is already on the rocks. "Everyone's
making up their own stories. I can promise you, my sister is
very happy," younger brother Sean Wittstock told the latest
edition of the country's top-selling English weekly magazine,
YOU. "She and her bridesmaid were in SA on a game farm a week
before the wedding. She could have stayed behind if she'd wanted
to." It would not be as easy for the former South African
Olympic swimmer now, Mr Wittstock added. "She's a Roman Catholic
now and they don't believe in divorce," he told the magazine.
AFP.
Royal wedding expected to give Monaco a tourism boost
independent.co.uk 25 Jul 11
Monaco's biggest company has predicted a boost in tourism in the
wake of this month's wedding of Prince Albert. Founded 147 years
ago, Société des Bais de Mer (SBM) owns the Casino de
Monte-Carlo and the state's most historic hotels. Revenue from
SBM's hotels rose by 10% in the year to 31 March 2011, but there
was a 14% fall in casino takings, – more than half of total
turnover. It led to SBM's overall revenue dropping 3% to
€361.7m, while its operating profit tumbled nearly 60% to
€21.7m. SBM's chief executive, Bernard Lambert, believes the
recent royal wedding will drive trade. "Definitely we do expect
an increase in tourism," he said.
ChristianSylt / Caroline Reid.
Monaco royals to sue over break-up rumours: premier
yahoo.com 22 Jul 11
Monaco's government head Michel Roger railed Friday against
"false" rumours of discord between Prince Albert II and his wife,
and said the couple will sue a French magazine for spreading
them. "It is very distressing," Roger, whose official title is
minister of state, told journalists of the gossip that swirled
around the wedding held in early July. Rumours that Charlene
Wittstock tried to leave the principality in a huff just days
before the royal wedding have already been rejected by the
palace. "They are all false," added Roger who said the couple
intended to sue L'Express because it "gave credibility to these
unfounded rumours by publishing them".
Valery Hache / AFP.
Prince Albert II of Monaco dismisses marriage rumours
telegraph.co.uk 22 Jul 11
The 53-year-old ruler summoned reporters to his Monaco palace in
a bid to end speculation that his marriage is on the brink of
collapse. "My family have long been the subject of rumours born
out of jealousy," he said. "There's one or more people in Monaco
who are trying to cause harm. We want to express our indignation
at these rumours. It's unbearable. What's regrettable is that
the media pick up these rumours without verifying the
information. I find that unworthy on the part of your
colleagues." Prince Albert addressed claims that the newly-wed
couple slept in separate hotels one night on their honeymoon in
South Africa – he claimed it was for "obvious practical
reasons".
Monaco Museum Displays Royal
Wedding Dress
lovetripper.com 12 Jul 11
Days after their I do’s, the fairytale frock which
transformed Charlene Wittstock from a private citizen
into a princess has gone on display as part of the
“Story of the Royal Wedding" exhibition, housed at the
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Through November 22,
2011, wedding watchers and fans of fashion alike can get
an up close look at the bride’s Giorgio Armani Prive
gown, a couture creation 2,500 hours in the making.
Constructed of off-white silk duchesse and silk organza,
the dress is an iconic interpretation of royal romance
which features embroidered petals of floral finery,
20,000 delicate mother of pearl teardrops and 40,000
Swarovski crystals which dance in the light. Bridal
accessories will also be on display, including the
diaphanous silk tulle veil which floated behind the
bride as she made her way to the altar, while the
diamonds and sapphires which adorn the tiara made as a
gift from the groom to his bride by Van Cleef & Arpels
(see video) dance in the light inside its own display
case. Grace Sydney.
Zuma hosts Monaco's newlyweds
timeslive.co.za 06 Jul 11
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his South African bride Princess
Charlene were hosted by President Jacob Zuma at the official
presidential residence in Durban days after media reports
alleged that the couple had snubbed him. The newlyweds spent
about 30 minutes at the presidential residence before addressing
the media. The couple arrived in the country on Tuesday for the
annual session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), of
which Prince Albert is a member. Addressing the media, Zuma said
he felt it was important for him to meet the couple as he had
been unable to attend their wedding because of other
commitments. South Africa would continue to have close relations
with Monaco, Zuma said.
Monaco newlyweds prepare to jet into
Durban mg.co.za 04
Jul 11 Newlyweds Prince Albert II
and Princess Charlene of Monaco were preparing a trip to South
Africa, as her father dismissed reports of a pre-wedding rift.
The royal couple were on Tuesday due to fly to Durban where
33-year-old Charlene trained as a swimmer and where the prince
(53) was due to attend a meeting of the International Olympic
Committee, of which he is a member. The committee will vote to
select the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics on Wednesday. In a
statement on Sunday ahead of the session, South African
President Jacob Zuma said: "It is particularly special for us to
welcome the newlyweds ... to Princess Charlene's home country.
AFP.
Albert faces two paternity tests
iol.co.za 04 Jul 11
The new Princess Charlene of Monaco tried to flee home to South
Africa three times before her “arranged marriage” to Prince
Albert, it was alleged yesterday. The former Charlene Wittstock,
33, reportedly made her first escape attempt when she travelled
to Paris in May to try on her wedding dress. During the visit,
she “took refuge” in her country’s embassy in the French
capital, sources in Monaco said. The allegations, which are
surprising considering she went ahead with the wedding on
Saturday, emerged in the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.
It went on to report that later in May, Charlene made a second
apparent attempt to escape during the Monaco Formula 1 Grand
Prix. Then, last week, royal officials are said to have
confiscated her passport en route to Nice airport via the
helicopter service that runs between the Mediterranean
principality and France. She was then persuaded to go on with
the marriage. Peter Allen /
Daily Mail.
The fashion verdict on Monaco's
royal wedding
smh.com.au 04 Jul 11
Bridal wear designers give their verdict on Monaco's
royal wedding style. From a princess in a sun hat and
strappy sandals to a guest in white flowing gown, it
wasn't just the paternity test raising eyebrows. Naomi
Campbell played by the rules at the ceremony in a green
floral dress, but come reception time, all bets were
off. Breaking the unwritten rule that guests shouldn't
wear white or black to a wedding, she changed into a
white dress with a plunging neckline, side cut-outs and
green beading. Sarah
McInerney.
Video
Royal nuptials lift Monaco's hopes
aljazeera.net 03 Jul 11
It has been a 30-year wait but the European principality
got a new princess when Prince Albert II married
Charlene Wittstock, a South African former swimming
champion 20 years his junior. The star-studded religious
mass sealed a union that will ease the mind of royal
minders and Monegasques that the couple produce a
legitimate heir to the Grimaldi throne. With that in
mind, the royal couple have already promised to make a
priority of addressing that situation.
Al Jazeera's Paul Brennan reports.
Video
Prince Albert II pays tribute to
bride
telegraph.co.uk 03 Jul 11
Prince Albert of Monaco pays tribute to his bride at
their wedding dinner. The dinner was held at the Opera
Garnier and the Casino Terraces. It was prepared by chef
Alain Ducasse and was followed by a ball at the Monte
Carlo opera and fireworks. Princess Charlene wore a
Giorgio Armani Privé evening gown in off-white silk
chiffon with broad neckline, and four-tier train;
embellished by graduated embroidery crafted with
Swarovski teardrops and stones in gold and platinum
colour. The wedding is the first of a ruling prince in
Monaco since Albert's father, Prince Rainier III,
married Hollywood star Grace Kelly in 1956. Rainier
transformed Monaco from a faded gambling centre into a
billionaires' haven, using his marriage to Kelly to
infuse the tiny principality with film-star glamour. Her
death in a car crash in 1982 revived talk of the
legendary 13th-century curse of his dynasty – the
Grimaldis – that has haunted his family during its seven
centuries of rule.
Monaco royal wedding dinner menu
examiner.com 03 Jul 11
The wedding dinner at the sea-view terraces of the Opera House
was prepared by French-born chef Alain Ducasse for the 450
guests present. The three-course meal featured filet of golden
mullet and a vegetable medley arranged to depict a landscape
typical of the coast of the Riviera, where everything besides
the South African wines and Champagnes were sourced from a
six-mile radius of Monaco. All produce was harvested from the
Grimaldi Roc Agel estate on the morning of the dinner to ensure
freshness and represent Albert's youth on the estate. Fresh
prawns from Liguria were featured on the menu, and nine
"unstressed cows" from the Roc Agel property provided
unpasteurized milk for the dessert, a Rocagel milk ice cream
accompanying marinated red fruits, a nod to the flag of Monaco.
Amber Cornelio.
Albert and Charlene finish wedding ceremonies
euronews.net 02 Jul 11
Prince Albert of Monaco and Charelene Wittstock have
finished two days of wedding celebrations with a
religious marriage ceremony in the principality. It was
an opulent affair in the courtyard of the Royal Palace
in Monaco attended by royalty, world leaders and figures
from the world of entertainment and sport. The couple
had already married in a civil ceremony. This time they
exchanged vows in a service presided over by Monaco’s
Archbishop. It is the first time Monaco has seen the
wedding of a ruling prince since Albert’s parents,
Prince Rainer and Grace Kelly, married in 1956. The era
of glamour that the Hollywood star ushered into Monaco
was reflected in the guestlist. Giorgio Armani, who
designed Charlene’s wedding dress, was among the
congregation. So was fellow fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld.
The ceremony was also witnessed by the film star Roger
Moore. Other guests who also took part in the service
included the American soprano Renee Fleming and the
tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Jean-Michel Jarre rocks Monaco for
newlyweds
euronews.net 02 Jul 11
It was an event that fittingly illustrated Monaco’s
glamorous image. Their wedding vows over, Prince Albert
and his bride Charlene were able to relax, as the
principality rocked to Jean-Michel Jarre. The
spectacular concert took place on the first evening of
three days of celebrations. Beforehand, there was time
for a breather as the newly married couple gave a quick
interview to euronews’ Isabel Kumar. Our correspondent
described it as an “electrifying concert”. The entire
city was transformed into a natural amphitheatre, with
the port as the stage. On stage, Prince Albert spoke to
the thousands gathered around the port, and millions of
TV viewers watching live on euronews. “Thank you very
much to all our friends from around the world, from
different countries, different continents, who are
watching us right now thanks to euronews and to the
internet,” he said.
Two-day party as Monaco Prince gets married
sky.com 01 Jul 11
Prince Albert II of Monaco and former Olympic swimming star
Charlene Wittstock are getting married this weekend - and the
principality is preparing to party. The 53-year-old prince and
his South African bride are starting their nuptials with a civil
ceremony in Monte Carlo, which will be followed on Saturday by a
Roman Catholic ceremony in Monaco Cathedral. After the wedding
comes a grand ball for the great and the good of Monaco and
royal relatives and friends from all over the world, including
the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Composer Jean Michel Jarre will
take a starring role in a concert and an extravagant fireworks
display is set to light up the sky of the Cote D'Azur to add to
the glamour of the occasion.
Prince Albert of Monaco chooses Provencal
wine for weddingdecanter.com
30 Jun 11 Monaco's Prince Albert II
has chosen wine from a 15ha organic vineyard in Provence to
celebrate his marriage to his South African fiancee Charlene
Wittstock. Special-edition magnums of Domaine Saint Albert,
decorated with a commemorative monogram of the occasion, were
created for the wedding. The 2007 vintage in red, a blend of
Cinsault, Grenache Noir and Syrah, and the 2010 vintage in
white, a blend of Clairette Vert, Vermentino and Ugni Blanc, and
a rosé, will be served. Wine-maker and owner Olivier Foucou told
Decanter.com that they had provided 50 magnums for the wedding
weekend, which will be reserved for special guests and the Royal
family. Jane Anson.
Monaco denies prince's fiancee has cold feet
reuters.com 28 Jun 11
Monaco's royal palace vehemently denied a report on
Tuesday that the fiancee of ruler Prince Albert tried to
skip town a week before their wedding. French weekly
L'Express reported on its website that Charlene
Wittstock, who is set to marry the tiny French Riviera
principality's head of state on Saturday, went to the
airport in nearby Nice last week to board a one-way
flight for South Africa, where she grew up. It required
"infinite persuasion" by the prince and members of his
entourage to convince the 33-year-old former swimming
champion to change her mind, the magazine said. "These
rumors only serve to gravely hurt the image of the
Sovereign, and that of Miss Wittstock, and bring major
harm to this happy event," a palace spokeswoman said in
a statement, calling the claims untrue. A lawyer for the
couple, Thierry Lacoste, similarly denied the report and
told the daily Le Figaro he had started legal action
against L'Express. "It's sheer madness, everything is
false," Lacoste told the newspaper.
Gerard Bon / Alexandria Sage.
Prince Albert of Monaco and
Charlene Wittstock prepare for wedding
guardian.co.uk 26 Jun 11
He is the prince who never grew up – a one-time playboy
and son of the Hollywood star Grace Kelly and Prince
Rainier of Monaco. She
is a working-class South African 20 years his junior, a
former Olympic swimmer and the daughter of a photocopier
salesman. When Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene
Wittstock marry this week in a two-day populist
extravaganza in the wealthy Mediterranean enclave, tens
of thousands of tourists are expected to flood in to
witness the ultimate "prince and commoner" wedding. But
the wedding is more than just the latest soap opera
instalment of the House of Grimaldi, a dynasty as famous
for its heartache as its glamour. It is vital for the
survival of the Mediterranean tax haven. Monaco, the
world's smallest state after the Vatican, has 360,000
registered bank accounts and a 35,000 population – the
vast majority of whom are foreign expats, many British,
paying no income or capital gains tax.
Angelique Chrisafis.
Monaco: Big brands invite
themselves to the royal wedding
francesoir.fr 13 Jun 11
Fauchon, Ladurée, JouéClub, Toyota and others ... The
royal wedding generates many projects, each riding on
the marriage of the ruler of Monaco. Beyond the official
events, including a gala dinner by chef Alain Ducasse,
many projects are multiplying around the princely
wedding. Fauchon offer a "BBclair Monaco", an éclair
with the colours of the Grimaldi coat of arms. Not to be
outdone, Ladurée have eight macaroons decorated with the
names of the bride and groom. The Brasserie de Monaco
have a special beer with hints of roses. JouéClub are
marketing a range of red and white teddy bears.
Manufacture de Monaco have an official line of precious
porcelain decorated with 24 carat gold. Moghadam, a
carpet trader in Monaco, have made a
carpet 200m long and over 2m wide to be installed in the
courtyard of the palace. A Toyota Lexus hybrid will be
used for the marriage.
Michael Bovas.
For Monaco royal wedding, chef Ducasse looks local
miamiherald.com 08 Jun 11
With three triple-star Michelin restaurants, Alain Ducasse is
used to catering to the rich and famous. But he admits his blood
pressure is rising ahead of next month's royal wedding in
Monaco, where he will prepare a gala dinner for Prince Albert,
bride-to-be Charlene Wittstock, and their 500 A-list guests.
With a 350-stong team on hand for the July 2 event, Ducasse
should be able to spread his stress widely. Besides the
Champagne, and a South African red wine honouring the bride's
roots, nearly all ingredients will be sourced from a 10km radius
from Monaco. The honey will come from Monaco's own urban bee
hives and the vegetables are being grown at the prince's own
farm. Jenny Barchfield / AP.
The Eagles in concert in Monaco for the royal wedding
clickonrock.fr 13 May 11
Legendary rock group The Eagles will perform on 30 Jun 11 in the Stade Louis II, Monaco. The group, currently on a world tour,
will play in the principality on the eve of the marriage between
Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittslock. "The group are coming
within the framework of their European tour, which does not
include a show in France. Given the exceptional nature of the
concert, just before the royal wedding, they may prepare a
surprise for the bride and groom" explained Salim Zeghdar, boss
of Monaco Live Productions. The concert will be completely free but
restricted to 15,000 people who live or work in Monaco. Tickets
will be available from the stadium box office from 30 May 11.
Bono to miss Monaco royal wedding
irishcentral.com 01 May 11
Bono is the latest Irish celebrity to turn down a royal wedding
invitation – from Prince Albert of Monaco.The U2 frontman has
declined the invitation just 48 hours after Ireland rugby
captain Brian O’Driscoll missed Britain’s royal nuptials. The
52-year-old Bono and his wife Ali were invited as VIP guests to
Prince Albert’s big wedding in an outdoor ceremony in Monaco on
July 2nd. But touring commitments in America mean Bono will have
to decline the offer. A U2 spokesman said: “The band are playing
in Nashville that night so Bono won’t be able to attend.
Cathal Dervan.
Charlene Wittstock to become Catholic to marry Prince Albert
AFP 04 Apr 11
Charlene Wittstock, the South African bride of Prince Albert,
will convert to Catholicism before her religious marriage
ceremony 02 July 11, the Princely Palace of Monaco said Monday.
"Miss Charlene Wittstock who professes the Christian faith, will
be admitted by a free personal decision, to full communion in
the Catholic Church," according to a statement. Charlene Wittstock, born 33 years ago in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), was a
Protestant. Yet Catholicism is the official religion in the
principality of Monaco. Albert II, Sovereign Prince, 53, met the
South African swimming champion in 2000, when she came to
compete in Monaco.
Monaco: Jean-Michel Jarre to perform at wedding of Albert II
nicematin.com 04 Apr 11
After his civil union at the palace on 01 July 11, Prince Albert
II invites the wider public for a unique sound and light show by
Jean Michel Jarre at Port Hercule at 22.30 with the sound, light
and video show lasting two hours. “It promises to be magical and
historical” says the shows organiser Salim Zeghdar. Up to 50,000
spectators are expected with additional train services until
3am, bus services and free parking being provided for the show.
The civil ceremony takes place in the Palace at 17.00 on Friday
01 Jul 11 with the religious ceremony on Sat 02 Jul 11 in the
courtyard of the Palace at 17.00. The events will be shown on
large screens.
Monaco wedding: TV rights will be free
nicematin.com 28 Jan 11 Prince Albert II will marry Charlene Wittstock, his South African bride 01 and 02 July 11. Last
autumn, it was announced that the television broadcasting rights
would be donated to the Foundation Albert II. The Palace has now
changed tack. "Broadcasts of the ceremony will be free of rights"
confirms Christiane Stahl, adviser to the ruler of Monaco. Le Parisien had reported that "the sum of €400,000 or more" would
be charged to television channels to broadcast the event before
this recent change in strategy.
Armani Designing Wedding Dress for
‘Royals’ of Monaco
people.com 17 Jan 11 Giorgio Armani
will dress Charlene Wittstock for her wedding to Monaco's Prince
Albert II (the son of the late Grace Kelly and the late Rainer
III, Prince of Monaco), the couturier has announced. According
to several Italian newspapers, Armani spoke directly to
reporters after his men's fashion collection in Milan on Sunday.
"Yes, I want to declare, I will make the wedding dress," he
confirmed. The 76-year-old designer, who has befriended
Wittstock, was thought to have the inside track to outfit her
when she weds Prince Albert this July.
Peter Mikelbank.
Stephanie of Monaco: Charlene will make a
'dream' sister-in-law
hellomagazine.com 14 Jan 11
2011 will mark the nuptials between Prince Albert of Monaco and
his long-term love Charlene Wittstock. And one lady
particularly thrilled by Albert's long-awaited union is his
youngest sibling Princess Stephanie, who this week declared her
affection for his striking bride-to-be. Speaking to Le Parisien
newspaper, Stephanie said she and Charlene enjoy "very very good
relations", touchingly adding: "I couldn’t dream of a better
sister-in-law". Asked whether she is involved in the upcoming
wedding, taking place at the beginning of July, the
twice-divorced princess replied: "Well, no, but that's OK."
Albert and Charlene, 32, are "taking care of it all".
"A new page in our
history will begin on 1 and 2 July" The
Monegasque ruler sent his new year wishes to his
subjects for 2011. A year ahead under the
happiest auspices with his forthcoming marriage
to Charlene Wittstock on the 1st and 2nd July
2011. In his speech, HSH Prince Albert II of
Monaco also refers to the centenial celebrations
of Monaco's 1911 constitution, talks
optimistically about signs of recovery from the
economic crisis and a growing awareness of
environmental issues.
Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock’s
wedding program announced
examiner.com 22 Dec 10
Details have emerged about the July
2nd 2011 wedding of HSH Prince Albert II and Miss
Charlene Wittstock.
The Prince has announced that the two days of
wedding activities will be national holidays for the tiny
principality so that all his subjects may enjoy the ceremony.
Giant screens will be put out in front of the palace so that the
expected 4000 guests will be able to watch the ceremony. The
first part of the wedding will be a civil marriage taking place
on July 1st at the Royal Palace in the Throne Room. A red
carpet will be placed in front of the palace which will be lined
with Monaco’s national guard, the Compagnie des Carabiniers du
Prince.
Megan Knight.
Albert & Charlene
Wedding Live on France Telévisions
actustar.com 10 Dec 10
The marriage of Prince Albert II of Monaco and
Charlene Wittstock will be broadcast live in
France exclusively by the state owned France
Telévisions channels France 2 and France 3. The
entire two days of festivities 2nd
and 3rd of July 2011 are set to be
broadcast. The event will also be available to
broadcasters in 3D.
Monaco princess-to-be makes first
ceremonial appearance
AFP 19 Nov 10
Monaco's future princess, South African Charlene Wittstock, made her first official appearance as royal fiancee on Friday, waving to crowds from the balcony of
her prince's palace. Former Olympic swimmer Wittstock,
32, appeared smiling and waving in a beige Armani suit
and brown hat for the annual royal appearance on the
principality's national day. She stood alongside Prince
Albert II, 52, whom she is to marry in July. "I find her
adorable!" said Rocco Benevento, 54, one among a crowd
of cheering wellwishers. "She is going to measure up to
Albert's mother," the US actress Grace Kelly, he added.
"This is a good thing, an important thing for the
prince's image." It was Wittstock's first appearance at
a royal ceremony and also the first time a royal fiancee
has taken part in the national day appearance before the
wedding.
Monaco princess-to-be plans humanitarian
work
AFP 18 Nov 10
Monaco's future princess, South African swimming champion
Charlene Wittstock, plans to launch into humanitarian work after
her wedding next year, her fiance Prince Albert II said in an
interview Thursday. The 52-year-old prince hailed his future
wife's "great sense of humour and insatiable curiosity" in an
interview with Le Figaro newspaper, some of his first public
comments about her since they announced their engagement in June.
"Charlene has a very strong personality and I have no doubt of
her desire to get involved in things alongside me," he said when
asked how she would share duties with his sisters Caroline and
Stephanie, also involved in humanitarian work.
Following in Princess Grace's
footsteps, the next Princess admits to making few
friends in Monaco
telegraph.co.uk 31 Oct 10
In her first interview since the royal wedding was
announced, the South African sporting champion has
spoken of the challenges she has faced making the
transition from the life of an athlete to that of a
future royal bride. Miss Wittstock admitted to
experiencing "jealousy" among some members of the
Monaco social elite, and confessed that she had only
made two friends since moving from South Africa.
Speaking in an interview with Tatler magazine which
is published this week, Miss Wittstock said: "The
people I mixed with in Monaco didn't relate to my
South African mentality or humour.
Roya Nikkha.
Monaco: Modern monarch is
sticking to principles
FT.com 28 Sep 10
Prince Albert this summer formally announced his
engagement to Charlene Wittstock. The marriage will
take place early next July and the principality is
already gearing itself up for a glamorous
international event that is expected to give the
tiny Mediterranean state a huge boost in difficult
times. Not only does the royal wedding remove all
the old worries about the eventual succession if the
52-year-old prince had remained a happy go lucky
bachelor. But many hope it will have the same effect
in putting the spotlight once again on Monaco, its
attractions and its potential, as spectacularly did
Prince Rainier’s marriage to the actress Grace Kelly
in 1956.
Paul Betts.
Statelet seeks to stimulate
growth
FT.com 28 Sep 10 When
Prince Albert II announced his engagement to South
African former swimmer Charlene Wittstock, the small
principality of Monaco let out a collective sigh of
relief. Residents could hope for a continuation of
the fairy tale that began in 1956, when Albert’s
father, Rainier III wed Grace Kelly, the American
actress. After years of hesitation, the couple’s 52
year old playboy son is finally ready to settle
down. The implications for the tiny country of just
2 sq kms, squeezed between the hills of France and
the Mediterranean Sea, could be significant.
Peggy Hollinger.
Prince Albert of Monaco's
fiancée Charlene Wittstock is born free
telegraph.co.uk 22 Aug
10 When Charlene Wittstock marries Prince Albert of Monaco next July
she is determined to preserve her connections with
her native South Africa. The former Olympic swimmer
tells Mandrake that she has accepted her first royal
appointment and become a patron of the Born Free
Foundation set up by the actress Virginia McKenna.
In 2008, two leopards which had spent 16 years in
cages at Monaco Zoo were transferred to the Shamwari
Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth by the charity
after Prince Albert, 52, agreed that they should
have a new home in Africa.
Richard Eden.
New date for Monaco royal
wedding
AFP 02 Aug 10
Olympic rings will trump wedding rings next July
when Prince Albert II of Monaco will bring forward
his nuptials to accommodate the International
Olympic Committee. In June, Prince Albert announced
plans to marry South African swimming champ Charlene Wittstock (32) on July 8 next year, a date which, it
now turns out, would clash with the IOC's July 5 to
9 meeting in Durban. Albert, has been a member of
the world's top sporting federation since 1985 and
has decided to get married a week early on July 2,
2011 so as not to miss the meeting. The palace said
Albert plans to make the best of the clash of dates
by turning the Durban jaunt into an African
honeymoon.
Monaco: Prince Albert's
wedding set for July 2011
washingtonpost.com 22 Jul 10
The royal palace in Monaco says Prince Albert II
will tie the knot with his future bride in July
2011. Albert is engaged to Charlene Wittstock, a
former Olympic swimmer from South Africa. The palace
in the Riviera principality said Thursday that the
two have set a date for a religious ceremony: July
9, 2011. A civil ceremony will take place the day
earlier. Alfred met the willowy blonde Wittstock
during a 2000 swimming competition in Monaco. His
betrothed has iconic shoes to fill, stepping into a
role left vacant since the death of much-beloved
Princess Grace in a car crash in 1982.
AP.
Charlene Wittstock: Nice Matin's exclusive interview
nicematin.com 14 Jul 10
After the announcement of her engagement on June 23
last, the future first lady of Monaco today broke
her silence. Exclusive to Nice-Matin, Charlene Wittstock reveals her passions and her ambitions.
Interview. Q:Your engagement was officially
announced June 23, 2010, how do you feel?
“I feel great joy and emotion...
I'll do anything to be worthy of its expectations.”
Q: Do you imagine yourself already in your role
as Princess? “For more than four years, I have
learnt about Monaco, its different populations -
there are more than 124 nationalities - and I really
love this country... Deep in my heart, it is already
my country.
Monaco’s Prince Albert sees
summer 2011 wedding
lasvegassun.com 30 Jun 10
Monaco will see a royal wedding in the summer of
2011, Prince Albert II was quoted as saying as his
future father-in-law described him a "nice chap."
Albert expressed hope that the population of his
tiny Riviera principality will "welcome with
kindness" his future bride, Charlene Wittstock, a
former Olympic swimmer from South Africa who is 20
years his junior. "I know the Monagasque population
was waiting for this moment," Albert, 52, told the
Nice-Matin newspaper in his first comments since the
engagement announcement. He still gave no exact date
for the wedding.
AP.
Prince Albert of Monaco to marry S.African swimmer
AFP 23 Jun 10 Prince Albert II of Monaco, long one
of Europe's most eligible bachelors,
finally announced his much anticipated engagement to
South African champion swimmer Charlene Wittstock. A
brief statement from the palace in the 52-year-old's
tiny Mediterranean statelet confirmed the
engagement, but did not put a date on the eventual
wedding, which courtiers will be hoping might
produce a legitimate heir. Wittstock is 20 years
Albert's junior and a school teacher. She is also a
former Commonwealth 100 metres backstroke champion
who has appeared on the prince's arm at several
society events in Monaco, a Riviera millionaire's
playground.
Jean-Michel Cadiot.
