Celebrating Prince Albert and Princess Charlene’s Wedding

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene after their wedding.
Image: Reuters

The royal wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock was a magical day that evoked some poignant memories in Monaco. As the breathtaking blonde bride stood at the ornate altar in the Palais Princier, royal observers couldn’t help thinking back to the principality’s last wedding of a reigning sovereign in April 1956, when the beautiful actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III and became a Princess.

The glamorous screen legend would surely have been overjoyed to see her son, Prince Albert, wed as elegant and poised a young woman as South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock. And it would have moved the late royal couple to see their own nuptials reenacted decades later, bringing new love to the palace, and ushering in a new era for the Grimaldi dynasty.

But in the absence of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier, Monegasque celebrated for them, gathering to watch the ceremony on giant TV’s throughout Monaco and erupting in cheers as Albert and Charlene exchanged vows in a lavish, multimillion-dollar spectacle that will go down in the Mediterranean enclave’s history.

On July 2, 2011—a day after the couple of five years were legally married in a civil ceremony at the Prince’s Palace—Charlene, 33, was ready to don her wedding dress for the 90-minute Roman Catholic ceremony. At 5 pm, she entered the palace in an off white silk duchesse satin Giorgio Armani Prive gown, its delicate floral pattern embroidered with 90,000 pearl drops, Swarowski crystals and gems. The statuesque beauty held a bouquet of freesias, orchids and lilies of the valley.

Followed by seven bridesmaids—all wearing the nation’s traditional flower girl costume—Charlene made her way down the aisle with her father, Michael, approaching the double spiral staircase in  the 17^th century Courtyard of Honour.

The well-heeled congregation of 850 royals, dignitaries and celebrities leaped to their feet clapping, and Charlene’s husband-to-be, 53, looking dashing in a white summer uniform of the Palace Guards, elicited chuckles from the crowd as he peeked backwards to steal a glimpse of his bride. Sir Paul McCartney’s “Standing Stone,” sung by opera singers Lisa Larson and Kenneth Tarver, filled the space.

Charlene joined her prince at the foot of the spectacular staircase, carved from a single block of Carrara marble, and the pair took their places on the scarlet damask stools in front of the altar, which had been consecrated for the occasion. As the couple’s proud families looked on – including Albert’s sisters, Princesses Caroline and Stephanie – the prince’s nieces Pauline Ducruet and Charlotte Casiraghi delivered readings.

By the time the Archbishop of Monaco, His grace Bernard Barsi, made his stirring address, the emotion in the room was palpable. The couple exchanged vows – each affirming their lifelong commitment with a heartfelt “Oui” – and they were pronounced husband and wife. After the bride and groom exchanged 18-karat white gold platinum Cartier rings, a traditional South African marriage song was performed and communion was taken. Albert the lifted his new wife’s veil and kiss her.

Amid much applause, the delighted groom punched the air in celebration, his look expressing what he would later say to his bride in his wedding speech: “Thank you for allowing me to share my life with you.” Andrea Bocelli then sang “Ave Maria,” and the newly-weds signed the marriage register and left the palace arm in arm, while the elated crowds showered them with white rose petals.

Custom dictates that the bride place her bouquet at the feet of the principality’s patron saint, and as she did so as at the picturesque Church of Sainte-Devote, joyful tears streamed down her face. Charlene had her prince, and Monaco had its new princess.

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Monaco’s Prince Albert visits Brazil and

The official website of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco has announced Prince Albert II’s trip to Brazil and Haiti.

Visit to Brazil

The Prince has made his trip to Brazil to visit Casa de Menor Sao Miguel Arcanjo, which looks after street children. He chatted with the organization’s founder, Fr. Renato Chiera, who has already helped alleviate the lives of thousands of children in Brazil.

The Prince also met Sebastiao Salgado, the famed economist and photographer, who has done so much to restore the forests in Minas Geras and Espiritu Santo.

The Haitian Trip

Report from Miami Herald revealed that the Prince’s Haitian trip was pursued to inaugurate the school that has built. It was named in his honor. The prince was received by Haitian President Michel Martelly, with whom he discussed the ways to improve the environment, as well as the prospect of building a center for researchers to study AIDS to be backed by the prince’s foundation.

The prince is slated to meet Dr Jean-William Pape, Director of the GHESKIO Centre, and Dr Alain Mérieux. He will also meet with Michaëlle Jean, UNESCO Special Envoy, and Chantal Moreno, a representative of the International Francophone Organization, before proceeding to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene lead Monaco in celebrating National Day

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene during the Fete National celebrations. 

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco lead the principality in celebrating the annual Fete National, November 19. Originally held on varying dates, the 'sovereign's celebration', from this time, has been held on 19 November, the day of the anniversary of the ceremony of the accession to the throne of Prince Rainier III on 19 November 1949, and also the day chosen to celebrate the blessed Rainier d'Arezzo (edict of 27 October 1951).


In 1950 and 1951, the 'Fête Nationale' had been celebrated on 11 April (edict of 4 July 1949); 11 April 1950 also representing the accession of Prince Rainier III. In 2005, in tribute to his father, H.S.H. Prince Albert II decided to keep the 'Fête Nationale' on 19 November, chosen as the day of his enthronement after the accession ceremony on the preceding 12 July.

The Prince's festival is the occasion for the national community to celebrate its identity and traditions. The ceremonies and festivities which are held on this occasion reflect Monegasque specificities and traditions:

- National traditions: presentation of honorary distinctions by the Prince and members of his family; parade in the 'cour d'honneur' in the Prince's Palace; taking the salute in the Palace square, which first took place in 1871

- Religious traditions: celebration of the thanksgiving mass and Te Deum in the cathedral, which marks the community's attachment to the Catholic faith

- Festive traditions: gala evening; shows, children's entertainments and free fireworks at the port organized by the Town Hall; amusement fair on Albert I Quay  - Social traditions: distribution of parcels and presents to the needy, the sick and the elderly.

Prince and Princess of Monaco host Formula One Grand Prix

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco hosted the annual marquee Formula One race. Together with the couple were the prince’s nephew, Pierre and Andrea Casiraghi and the Countess of Wessex, who was Princess Charlene’s close friend. 

Princess Charlene of Monaco reportedly depressed for failing to conceive an heir

Reports have surfaced that Princess Charlene of Monaco has fallen under depression after failing to conceive an heir a year after she married Prince Albert, the principality’s ruling prince.

Princess Charlene (right),  with Prince Albert (center) and Princess Stephanie (left),
is reportedly depressed over her difficulties of conceiving an heir. 

“She might have a smile on her face at official functions, but inside she is stressed and frustrated. This subject is weighing more and more heavily on her shoulders,” reports Voicimagazine over the mounting pressure of mothering an heir to the throne. 

Although Prince Albert has three children already, they cannot inherit the throne because they were born out of wedlock.

It was reported that two days before their wedding, the princess tried to run away after learning that Prince Albert had fathered a third love child.

The princess has eventually aired her loneliness, saying “I only have two people I consider friends here.”

Christmas With the Royals

A gallery of royal photos from Europe's royal houses at their holiday best.

Christmas is truly in the air and as everyone is busy shopping and preparing for the holidays, royal figures from all over the world are busy spreading cheers and merriment to their loyal subjects. Here's a gallery of photos with royals from all over Europe in their most festive spirit. 

http://www.monarchie.be

The Belgian Crown Princely family released their official Christmas portrait Dec. 15, although the photos were captured in October during Princess Elisabeth’s 10th birthday.

http://www.daylife.com

On Dec. 14, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene welcomed dozens of Monegasque children to the royal palace for the annual gift giving event, which filled the royal residence with cheer and interaction. Earlier, the ruling prince did the same to a senior citizens' home. 

http://www.casareal.es

Dec. 16, The three children of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain have released their official Christmas photographs, together with their families. Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and Prince Felipe displayed their love for their grown up children as well as the happy family that they are. 

http://www.gettyimages.de

On Dec. 18, Princess Stephanie, Prince Albert's sister did her share to elderly at the Hector Otto Foundation, a nursing home.   

http://www.namdalsavisa.no

Dec. 19, The Norwegian royal family released their Christmas photos. The theme was simple and Queen Sonja read How The Snow Got Color by Dan Lindholm to her two grandchildren, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. The Princess was listening intently to her grandmother while her year old brother's attention was caught by the large Christmas tree behind them. Showcased were the traditional Norwegian outfit worn by The Queen and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. For Christmas, King Harald V and Sonja will be with Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit at at Skaugum Palace, outside Norway.

Prince Albert attends annual Red Cross Ball

July 31 - Prince Albert II of Monaco, his fiancée Charlene Wittstock, and her younger sister Prince Stephanie attended the 62nd Red Cross Ball last July 30 (see left).

The annual Red Cross Ball is considered as the biggest social event in Monaco. It is held every year to raise money for the Monagasque Red Cross Foundation. It is renowned for its star-studded guests that includes international celebrities, high-profile philanthropists, jet-setters, and, of course, Monaco’s princely family. 

See Also:

 

Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock to tie the knot in July

Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancee, Miss Charlene Wittstock will tie the knot in July. A civil ceremony will take place on July 8 to be followed by a church wedding on the following day.

Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi was born in 1958 to Prince Rainier III and Hollywood superstar Grace Kelly. He succeeded as Monaco's reigning prince upon his father's death in 2005.

Meanwhile, Wittstock, who hails from South Africa, is a backstroke swimmer who participated during the 2000 Olympics.