Monaco’s Prince Albert II weds Charlene Wittstock in Civil Ceremony Friday
Monaco’s Prince Albert II married South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock in a civil ceremony today, though, some are calling her a reluctant bride, after rumors surfaced Tuesday that she tried to flee Monaco.
“Miss Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer, was reported by France’s L’Express newspaper as wanting to leave Monaco after hearing a rumour that her husband-to-be, who at 53 is 20 years her senior, had fathered a third, illegitimate child,” says the Telegraph.
A senior Monaco detective confirmed to the publication: “Charlene had her passport confiscated so that the Prince’s entourage could persuade her to stay.’
While rumors continue to circulate that the bride had cold feet, her father said she was simply heading to Paris for some last-minute purchases, and that she was not trying to run away.
The Palace called the ordeal a misunderstanding.
There will be a religious ceremony in the main courtyard of the palace on Saturday.
The three day $65 million wedding extravaganza is expected to be the biggest event in Monaco since Grace Kelly, married Prince Rainier.
The celebration will involve parades, concerts and fireworks, reports say.
As for Friday’s events:
“Monaco’s 7,618 citizens and their partners were invited to post-ceremony cocktails on the square Friday, to be followed by a concert by French composer Jean Michel Jarre and a laser light show,” says AP.
Later in the night the Eagles are set to perform for an audience of 15,000.
What famous faces will be in Monaco for Saturday’s festivities?
AP reports the guest list will include the kings of Spain, Sweden, Lesotho and Belgium, the presidents of France, Iceland, Ireland, Lebanon, Malta, Germany and Hungary, France’s richest man, celebrated opera singers, top models and race car divers.
Monaco royal wedding complimented with 15-foot cake
REUTERS/Palais Princier/Eric Mathon/Handout
With a wedding celebration that involved two ceremonies, parades, concerts and fireworks, it’s no surprise Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock (now Princess Charlene) didn’t scale back on the wedding cake!
The new royal couple complimented their $65 million wedding weekend with a 15-foot currant and vanilla wedding cake.
“The six-tier monster gateau was decorated with passion fruit, edible “daisies” and sugarbush flowers made out of icing sugar. They flourish in the new princess’s native South Africa,” reports the Express
