ALBERT & CHARLENE
Posted on 06/23/2011 3:34:47 PM PDT by Cincinna
For four years, Charlene Wittstock lived mostly in the shadows, waiting for Prince Albert II of Monaco to propose.
With no job, no college degree and no knowledge of French, she was installed by him in a small apartment in the center of the tiny Mediterranean principality, far away from home in South Africa. With no official status, she appeared at the side of the prince when summoned, to smile a lot but to say little.
She endured the nastiness of the locals, who gossiped about Prince Albert’s love affairs and predicted that he would never marry her. "snip"
But Ms. Wittstock, a South African national swimming champion who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics, applied to her love life the same determination, perseverance and stamina that had inspired her backstroke."snip"
The payoff comes July 2 with this summer’s “other” royal wedding. This time, Ms. Wittstock will be the princess stepping down the aisle (in a dress designed by Giorgio Armani). Though the event won’t come close to inspiring the global fascination of William and Kate’s nuptials almost two months ago (or even that of Albert’s own parents, Prince Ranier III and the American movie star Grace Kelly, in 1956), the three-day celebration will nonetheless be quite a party. The event will include an open-air Mass on the Place du Palais; oceans of Perrier-Jouët Champagne; a multicourse dinner by the three-star French chef Alain Ducasse; a concert by the Eagles; a sound-and-light show and fireworks. When it is over, Ms. Wittstock, the daughter of a salesman father and a swim coach mother, will become Her Serene Highness, Princess Charlene of Monaco.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
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A legitimate male heir is desperately needed. Otherwise the Principality reverts to France or Italy or ???
Me. I’ll take it over.
He’s fathered two kids out of wedlock.
20 year old girl who was raised in LA by the mother.
9 year old boy from a french flight attendant.
Neither will be allowed into the royal circle because they were born out of wedlock. Neither get a title. But at least he’s supported them financially and says they are always welcome to visit or live in the city.
Problem is he’s pushing 48, and while still could produce children with his young bride, it’s still risky when it comes to birth defects.
Are you sure? We're talking only 1 billion net worth and rulling over the richest tax dodging haven in Europe filled with supermodels and casinos. Sounds like a really terrible job.
What a cad he turned out to be. His mother must have passed on some HOLLYWEIRD genes after all.
Strange & sad how both Grace Kelly and Princess Diana perished in auto accidents so young.
She is a beauty. I can’t wait to see the wedding dress. Armani is classic and understated.
I believe Grace Kelly actually had a massive heart attack while driving.
Technically, IIRC, the Grimaldi’s aren’t “royalty.” Who cares? Hopefully, the marriage will be happy and produce the heir that’s needed.
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The law has been changed. If the reigning Sovereign Albert II) has no heir, the heir would be the son of Albert’s sister, Caroline, Pierre or Andrea Casiraghi.
If the Grimaldi line becomes extinct, with no legitimate heir, the Principality reverts to France.
The Grimaldis of Monaco are the longest existing European monarchy, dating from the 13th century.
Well I bet the new bride to be speaks French now!
You are correct;) I just looked it up to find her age when she died in 1982 (52). She had a stroke - which may have been survivable - but her injuries were severe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Kelly
Don’t wait for an heir. That guy is fruitier han a bowl of sangria.
(Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor)
Leni
Albert is 53 years old. Charlene is 33. Little risk of birth defects there.
Charlene is South African, born and raised Presbyterian. She converted to Roman Catholicism to marry Albert.
Monaco has a State religion- Roman Catholic.
So-called “mistresses” are the least of Albert’s problems.
If one is too thin the chances of conceiving are not good so in this case you can be too thin.
Lived and worked in Monaco for 10 long years. Monegasques are the most obnoxious mix of French and Italian with a nasty streak of impotent inferiority (which is not pleasant to watch).
Princess Grace’s death is still shrouded in mystery. There are questions as to whether it was actually under-age Stephanie who was at the wheel.
I lived there for many years, never heard a bad word about Princess Grace. Everyone knew her & loved her. Albert the same. Wish I could say the same about Caroline & Stephanie...the less said the better!
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