Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock prepare for wedding

The Guardian UK ^ |  June 26 2011 | Angelique Chrisafis

[Cincinna]

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. The American rockers the Eagles will belt out Hotel California in a special gig for locals while synth-pop guru Jean-Michel Jarre performs a light show over the port. 

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. If Somerset Maugham once famously called Monaco "a sunny place for shady people", Prince Albert declared when he took over that "morality, honesty and ethics" would guide his rule. In 2009, Monaco was removed from the OECD blacklist of unco-operative tax havens, after promising to be more transparent with foreign authorities asking questions. But it continues to exempt its rich foreign residents from paying tax, and its own vast wealth depends on the international fortunes that take residency there. The Grimaldis, who have run the enclave for seven centuries, are the protectors of Monaco's special status.

[Cincinna]

She moved to Monaco five years ago. She is famously nervous about manners and how to dress and talk, and has been taking French lessons although she is not yet fluent. She has won a reputation as a fashion symbol. The couple, aged 53 and 33, now face two challenges: producing an heir and avoiding the personal trauma and tragedy that has plagued the Grimaldis. Albert has acknowledged two illegitimate children: a daughter with an American tourist and a son with a Togolese flight attendant. A change in the constitution allows the ruling prince's title to pass through the female line, but a male heir is still sought after in the deeply traditional, Catholic enclave. Albert has insisted he knows nothing of a supposed curse on family marriages, but Kelly died in 1982 in a car crash on one of Monaco's hairpin bends, his sister Caroline lost her second husband in a speed-boat crash and his youngest sister, Stephanie, is famous for an anguished love life, marrying and divorcing her bodyguard before marrying and divorcing a trapeze artist. Wittstock, with her trademark Grace Kelly-style blonde chignon, has rejected the obvious physical comparisons with her husband's late mother. Alain Perceval, author of a new book on the Monaco couple, says she should not be compared to Kate Middleton either. "Charlene comes from a very humble background in South Africa, a bit rustic, she's from an ordinary family and had a very humble life," he said. "You simply can't compare her to Kate Middleton, who went to prestigious schools and comes from what we would call the haute bourgeoisie."

[Clara Lou]

She’s pretty. He’s not. Ah, well. Best wishes to the both of them. ‘Specially with that baby thing.

[Crim]

Heh Heh...Prince Albert in a can...

[Nevadan]

He doesn’t look like playboy material.

[trumandogz]

Need to start taking bets of when there be the first Gay Royal Wedding.

[RetiredArmy]

Yet another “royal” wedding I could give a care less about. Just another big wig spending millions on a $100 wedding.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

Perhaps she has “huge tracts of land!”

[Revolting cat!]

The Prince has gone slumming!

[max americana]

The article was not mostly about the wedding. The leftwing Guardian started a rant about the rich avoiding taxes in the state of Monaco.

[WKUHilltopper]

Beat me to it!

[garjog]

Do you have Prince Albert in a Can?

Yes.

Well, let him out!

[Revolting cat!]

[Revolting cat!]

[Revolting cat!]

[Cincinna]

Get the latest news about the wedding in Monaco on July 1, & July 2.  *** FRENCH POLITICS AND CULTURE PING LIST ***  FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO JOIN  ***

Charlene is destined to become a fashion icon. Her natural, classic good looks make her a great model for designers. She has shown excellent taste so far, emphasizing simplicity, understated lines and subtle colors. She dresses appropriately for every occasion. As the wife of a Head of State, she will represent her country around the world. 

GRACE PATRICIA KELLY

CAROLINE & PHILIPPE JUNOT

CAROLINE & STEFANO CASIRAGHI

ALBERT & CHARLENE

CHARLENE WITTSTOCK, FUTURE PRINCESS OF MONACO

[lonestar]

He was good looking when younger.

With his $$$$ who needs good looks.

[padre35]

Cinncinna, is Monaco somehow attached to France politically?

I ask because all I know about is it is a tax haven, and Grace Kelly.

[OriginalChristian]

He’s no Adonis, but he isn’t bad looking. She is pretty.

[EDINVA]

All you have need to be a ‘playboy’ is celebrity status and the $$$ that goes with it. A title is a real plus.

Albert isn’t bad looking at all, he just happens to be bald, which is considered a negative, and also makes one look older, like prematurely gray hair. (I grew up in a houseful of bald men, so it’s not so much a negative to me)

[lonestar]

Oh, well! We have Michelle!

I love the panda dress!