MONACO – Prince Albert II, 53, is giving Monaco a crown princess at last and her name is Charlene Wittstock, 33, a former Southern African Olympic swimmer.
Click here to see the official program for the three-day wedding event.
Guests who are said to be worth billions will attend the reported $68 million wedding this weekend that promises to be as grand a wedding that Prince Albert’s parents Prince Rainier III and Hollywood actress Grace Kelly had on April 18, 1956, that was broadcast all across Europe.
The role of the first lady of Monaco has been vacant for almost 30 years. It was on September 13, 1982, when at the age of 53, Princess Grace was driving with her daughter Stephanie to Monaco from the country home when she suffered a stroke that caused her to drive her car off the serpentine road down a mountainside. Prince Albert has ruled the small city-state of Monaco that is surrounded on three sides by France since the death of his father in 2005.
Click here to watch a beautiful pictorial of the life of Princess Grace Kelly.
Prince Albert has been known to be a bit of a playboy in the past who has acknowledged fathering two children out of wedlock. Royal watchers are hopeful the prince will produce what they say will be a legitimate heir to the throne.
The royal couple will officially tie the knot on July 2, at the Prince’s Palace followed by a procession, an evening reception catered by chef Alain Ducasse, and a gala ball. However the wedding festivities will begin two days before when they host an Eagles concert at a stadium in Western Monaco.
"This will be great for champagne sales," said Edith Wendebaum, who runs a local wine shop in Monte Carlo. "It's very, very good news, something happy at last," she said, "Everyone here knows him a bit."
Prince Albert met Wittstock in 2000 when she traveled to Monaco for a swimming competition. .
Photos – 50 Photo Slideshow – Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock
Video – Wedding of Prince Rainier II and Hollywood actress Grace Kelly
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