by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2017

Prince Albert II of Monaco married Charlene Wittstock in a civil ceremony on July 1, 2011, in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville, Monaco, and on July 2, 2011, in a religious ceremony in the Main Courtyard of the Prince’s Palace.

• YouTube: The Civil Ceremony, Celebrations in the Palace Square, Prince Albert’s Speech
• YouTube: Prince Albert Marries Charlene Wittstock – Royal Wedding 2011

The Family of Prince Albert II

 

His Serene Highness Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre was born on March 14, 1958, at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco. His parents were Prince Rainier III, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, and Grace Kelly, the American Academy Award-winning actress. Prince Albert has an older sister Princess Caroline (born in 1957) and a younger sister Princess Stephanie (born in 1965).

Prince Rainier’s mother Charlotte was the illegitimate child of Prince Louis II but was later legitimized, adopted, and recognized as her father’s heir. Princess Charlotte renounced her claim to the throne the day before Rainier’s twenty-first birthday. Prince Rainier succeeded his grandfather Prince Louis II in 1949. Grace Kelly’s grandparents immigrated to the United States from Ireland and Germany. Her father Jack Kelly was a self-made millionaire in the bricklaying business, a winner of three Olympic gold medals for rowing, and active in Philadelphia politics.

Prince Albert is a graduate of Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. While at college he toured Europe and the Middle East with the Amherst Glee Club and joined the Chi Psi fraternity. Prince Albert has always enjoyed participating in sports and represented Monaco in bobsled at the Winter Olympics of 1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, and 2002. He is a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Prince Albert has confirmed that he has two illegitimate children: Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, born on March 4, 1992, in Palm Springs, California in the United States and Alexandre Éric Stéphane Coste, born on August 24, 2003, in Paris, France. Neither of these children has succession rights.

Prince Albert became the Sovereign Prince of Monaco on April 6, 2005, upon the death of his father Prince Rainier III.

• • Unofficial Royalty: Prince Albert II of Monaco

 

The Family of Charlene Wittstock

Charlene Lynette Wittstock was born on January 25, 1978, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, the former name of the country of Zimbabwe. She is the daughter of Michael Wittstock, a computer business operator, and Lynette Humberstone Wittstock, a former competitive diver and swimming coach. Charlene has two brothers, Gareth (born 1979) and Sean (born 1983). The family moved to South Africa when Charlene was ten years old and she attended the Tom Newby Primary School in Benoni, South Africa.

The grandparents of Charlene’s father, Gottlieb and Louise Wittstock, were German immigrants from Zerrenthin, Mecklenburg-Pomerania, Germany. Along with Gottlieb’s parents and his eight siblings, they arrived in South Africa in 1861. When they arrived in South Africa, the family worked as handymen and unsuccessfully mined for diamonds.

Charlene competed for the South African national swimming team. In the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, she competed in the 4 X 100-meter medley and the team came in fifth place. She planned to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing but could not due to a shoulder injury.

• • Unofficial Royalty: Princess Charlene of Monaco

 

Engagement

Prince Albert first noticed Charlene Wittstock at the Monaco International Swim Meet in 2000 where she won the 200-meter backstroke. For the next five years, the couple periodically dated privately. At the Opening Ceremonies for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, their relationship went public. After that, the couple was seen together at several events including the Monaco Grand Prix, the Rose Ball held annually in Monaco, the Princess Grace Foundation Awards Gala, and most notably at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling in Stockholm on June 19, 2010. On June 23, 2010, four days after the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock became engaged.

The Engagement Ring

 

Charlene Wittstock’s engagement ring was created by Parisian jeweler Maison Repossi and is called the “Tethys” design. Made out of gray gold, the ring features a three-carat pear-shaped diamond surrounded by round diamond brilliants. The value of the ring is estimated at $100,000.

Wedding Guests

The following is a list of some notable guests at the religious ceremony.

Prince Albert’s Family

• HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover
• Mr. Andrea Casiraghi
• Mr. Pierre Casiraghi
• Ms. Charlotte Casiraghi
• HRH Princess Alexandra of Hanover
• HSH Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
• Mr. Louis Ducruet
• Ms. Pauline Ducruet
• Ms. Camille Gottlieb

Royalty

• TM King Carl XVI Gustaf & Queen Silvia of Sweden
• TM King Albert II & Queen Paola of the Belgians
• HM King Letsie III of Lesotho
• TRH Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg
• HIM Empress Farah of Iran
• TRH Crown Prince Frederik & Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
• TRH Crown Princess Victoria & Prince Daniel of Sweden
• TRH Prince Willem-Alexander & Princess Máxima of the Netherlands
• TRH Crown Prince Haakon & Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
• TRH Prince Philippe & Princess Mathilde of Belgium
• HRH Crown Prince Salman of Bahrain
• HRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg
• HSH Hereditary Prince Alois & HRH Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein
• TRH Crown Prince Aleksandar & Crown Princess Katarina of Serbia
• TRH Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele & Crown Princess Marina of Italy
• TRH Crown Princess Margareta & Prince Radu of Romania
• HIRH Prince Georg Friedrich of Germany and Prussia & HSH Princess Sophie von Isenburg
• HIH Grand Duchess Mariya Vladimirovna of Russia
• TRH Duarte Pio & Isabel of Portugal, Duke & Duchess of Braganza
• TRH Prince Henri & Princess Micaela of France, Count & Countess of Paris
• HRH Margrave Maximilian & HIRH Margravine Valerie of Baden
• TIRH Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz of Belgium
• HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand
• TRH the Earl & Countess of Wessex
• TRH Prince & Princess Michael of Kent
• TRH Prince Joachim & Princess Marie of Denmark
• HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden
• HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden
• TRH Prince Laurent & Princess Claire of Belgium
• TRH Prince Faysal & Princess Sarah of Jordan
• HRH Princess Maryam of Morocco
• Lalla Soukaïna Filali (daughter of HRH Princess Maryam of Morocco)
• HIH Grand Duke Georgiy Mihailovich of Russia
• TRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto & Princess Clotilde of Savoy
• HRH Prince Ernst August Jr. of Hanover
• TRH Prince Bernhard & Princess Stephanie of Baden
• TRH Prince Carlo & Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies
• HRH Prince Christian of Hanover
• TRH Prince Leopold & Princess Ursula of Bavaria
• HH Prince Karīm, Aga Khan IV
• HSH Princess Virginia zu Fürstenberg
• Don Luis Alfonso and Doña María Margarita de Borbón y Martínez-Bordiú

Sports Personalities

• Gerhard Berger (former Formula One racing driver)
• Jonas Björkman (former World Number 4 professional tennis player)
• Sergey Bubka (retired pole vaulter)
• Nadia Comăneci (gymnast)
• Charmaine Crooks (athlete)
• Bob Ctvrtlik (volleyball player)
• Sophie Edington (backstroke and freestyle swimmer)
• Patrice Evra (international footballer)
• Frankie Fredericks (former athlete)
• Graham Hill (swimming coach and former competitive swimmer)
• Jacky Ickx (former racing driver) and Khadja Nin[34]
• Branislav Ivkovic (swimming coach, who trained Charlene Wittstock ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics)
• Byron Kelleher (rugby union half-back)
• Henri Leconte (former professional tennis player)
• Axel Lund Svindal (World Cup alpine ski racer)
• Julia Mancuso (alpine ski racer)
• Ian McIntosh (rugby union coach)
• Elana Meyer (former long-distance runner)
• Ilie Năstase (former professional tennis player)
• Ryk Neethling (swimmer)[35]
• Terence Parkin (deaf swimmer)
• François Pienaar (former rugby player)
• Nicola Pietrangeli (former tennis player)
• Sarah Poewe (professional swimmer)
• Wayne Riddin (swimming coach and former competitive swimmer)
• Count Jacques Rogge (President of the International Olympic Committee)
• Roland Schoeman (swimmer)
• Sir Jackie Stewart (former racing driver and team owner)
• Jean Todt (President of the FIA) and Michelle Yeoh
• Franziska Van Almsick (swimmer)
• Pernilla Wiberg (alpine ski racer, IOC member)

Fashion Industry

• Giorgio Armani
• Terrence Bray
• Naomi Campbell
• Roberto Cavalli
• Inès de La Fressange
• Sébastien Jondeau
• Isabell Kristensen
• Karolína Kurková
• Tereza Maxová
• Karl Lagerfeld

Celebrities and Others

• Bernard Arnault and Hélène Mercier-Arnault
• Dame Shirley Bassey
• Andrea Bocelli (tenor, multi-instrumentalist, and classical crossover artist)
• Gerard Butler (actor)
• Bernadette Chirac
• Bernice Coppieters (ballet artist and member of the Les Ballets de Monte Carlo)
• Donna D’Cruz (DJ and model)
• Renée Fleming
• Francisco Flores Pérez (President of El Salvador between 1999 and 2004)
• Juan Diego Flórez (opera tenor)
• Mel Gibson
• Jean-Christophe Maillot (dancer and choreographer)
• Pumeza Matshikiza (lyric soprano)
• Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher
• Sir Roger Moore and Lady Moore
• Guy Laliberté (Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, poker player, space tourist, and CEO of Cirque du Soleil)
• Yves Piaget (Swiss watch-maker and President of Piaget SA)
• Eric Peugeot (French marketing engineer)
• Bertrand Piccard
• Johann Rupert (South African businessman and chairman of Richemont, VenFin and Remgro)
• Eric Sempe (French guitarist)
• Sonu Shivdasani (Chairman and CEO of the Six Senses group)
• Victoria Silvstedt (celebrity, model, actress, singer, and television personality)
• Sir Michael Smurfit
• Umberto Tozzi (pop/rock singer and composer)

Government and Diplomacy

• George Abela (President of Malta)
• Salma Ahmed (Ambassador of Kenya to Monaco and France)
• Angelino Alfano (Minister of Justice of Italy
• Maria Luisa Berti (shared Captain Regent of San Marino)
• Constantin Chalastanis (Ambassador of Greece to Monaco and France)
• Mirko Galic (Ambassador of Croatia to Monaco and France)
• Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (President of Iceland)
• Kornelios Korneliou (Ambassador of Cyprus to Monaco and France)
• Ulrich Lehner (Ambassador of Switzerland to Monaco and France)
• Marc Lortie (Ambassador of Canada to Monaco and France)
• Lejeune Mbella Mbella (Ambassador of Cameroon to Monaco and France)
• Mary McAleese (President of Ireland)
• Thomasz Orlowski (Ambassador of Poland to Monaco and France)
• Jeff Radebe (Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development of South Africa)
• Charles Rivkin (Ambassador of the United States to Monaco and France)
• Nicolas Sarkozy (President of the French Republic)
• Missoum Sbih (Ambassador of Algeria to Monaco and France)
• Marthinus Van Schalkwyk (Minister of Tourism of South Africa)
• Pál Schmitt (President of Hungary)
• Veronika Stabej (Ambassador of Slovenia to Monaco and France)
• Michel Suleiman (President of Lebanon)
• Filippo Tamagnini (shared Captain Regent of San Marino)
• Dr. Karlheinz Töchterle (Minister for Science and Research of Austria)
• Viraphand Vacharathit (Ambassador of Thailand to Monaco and France)
• Christian Wulff (Federal President of Germany)

Wedding Attendants

Best Man: Chris LeVine, Prince Albert’s cousin and the son of Princess Grace’s sister Lizanne LeVine

Matron of Honor: Donatella Knecht de Massy, the wife of Sebastien de Massy, Prince Albert’s first cousin once removed and grandson of Princess Antoinette of Monaco

 

Seven girls, all about seven years old, were selected as maids of honor for the religious ceremony. One was from Monaco and the six others were from the neighboring French communes.

• Monaco: Laura Le Maux-Gramaglia
• Beausoleil: Charlène Morreale
• Cap d’Ail: Anaïs Cuvelliez
• La Turbie: Stella Roulot
• Peille: Léa Barelli
• Roquebrune Cap Martin: Elina Marty
• Menton: Chloé Mine

The Civil Ceremony

The wedding was originally scheduled for July 8-9, 2011. However, the civil ceremony was rescheduled for Friday, July 1, 2011, and the religious ceremony was rescheduled for Saturday, July 2, 2011. Because the original dates conflicted with the July 5-9, 2011 meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Durban, South Africa, it was necessary to reschedule the wedding. Prince Albert is a member of the International Olympic Committee. As former Olympians, the couple wanted members of the Olympic community at their wedding. Prince Albert and his new bride went to South Africa, Charlene’s homeland, for the meeting. The Prince wanted the new Princess’ first trip abroad to be to her homeland.

As required by the law of Monaco, a civil ceremony was held on Friday, July 1, 2011, at 5 PM in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace. The civil ceremony was conducted by Philippe Narmino, Director of the Judicial Services and President of the Council of State. The Place du Palais, the square in front of the Palace had giant screens on which the civil ceremony could be viewed. 80 family members, friends, and dignitaries attended the 20-minute ceremony including Prince Albert’s sisters, Caroline, Princess of Hanover and Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, and the best man and matron of honor, Christopher LeVine and Donatella Knecht de Massy, who acted as witnesses. The newlyweds signed the marriage register with a specially created pen of gold and precious stones and adorned with their monogram made by Montblanc, a German manufacturer of writing instruments, watches, and accessories. Princess Charlene wore a silken blue jacket with ankle-length pants by Chanel and Prince Albert wore a dark suit and light grey tie.

After the ceremony, the couple appeared on the palace balcony. At 6 PM, the couple joined the citizens of Monaco in the square for a buffet supper of Mediterranean and South African dishes. At 8 PM, the citizens of Monaco were invited to a reception in Port Hercules, followed by a special sound and light show at 10 PM.

The Religious Ceremony

Around 800 guests attended the wedding mass on Saturday, July 2, 2011, at 5 PM in the Main Courtyard of the Palace. The main celebrant of the mass was Monsignor Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco, Head Chaplain of the Prince’s Palace. The concelebrants were Monsignor André Dupuy, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Principality of Monaco; Monsignor Alberto Maria Careggio, Bishop of Ventimiglia – San Remo; Bishop Rene Giuliano, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Monaco, and the whole clergy of Monaco.

The Main Courtyard was transformed into an outdoor cathedral. It took around 300 technicians, carpenters, painters, sculptors, locksmiths, upholsterers, electricians, TV teams, etc., one month and over 100,000 working hours to achieve the transformation. A temporary roof was constructed. The posts supporting the roof were painted using the trompe-l’œil technique to faithfully reflect the Renaissance frescoes in the Palace. The chancel floor of this “Church” was consecrated and ornaments and accessories from the Palace Chapel, the Cathedral, and the Chapelle de la Visitation were used.

The religious wedding ceremony occurred in the middle of the mass after the Credo and before the Offertory. Princess Alexandra of Hanover, daughter of Princess Caroline and Prince Ernst of Hanover, carried the 18-carat rings in white gold and platinum by the House of Cartier, tied to a pillow, to the bride and groom. After the exchange of vows and rings, South African singer Pumeza Matshikiza sang “The Click Song, a traditional South African song sung at weddings to bring good fortune to the newlyweds. Princess Alexandra of Hanover also read one of the General Intercession prayers along with Camille Gottlieb, daughter of Princess Stéphanie; and Christine Knecht, and Alexia Knecht, great-granddaughters of the late Princess Antoinette, Prince Albert’s paternal aunt. Earlier in the mass, Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Princess Caroline and the late Stefano Casiraghi, did a reading from the Epistle of St. John.

Music throughout the mass was performed by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, Monte-Carlo Opera Choir, Monaco Cathedral Choir, and The Petits Chanteurs de Monaco. The program included music by classical composers and a classical composition by former Beatle Paul McCartney.

Music Program

From 4.30 pm to 4.55 pm: Two Sinfonias from Cantata No. 35 – Johann Sebastian Bach,
Orchestra: “Royal Fireworks Music” – George Frideric Handel

4.55 pm Entrance of H.S.H. the Prince: “Celebration” from “Standing Stone” – Paul McCartney

5.00 pm Entrance of Miss Wittstock: “Celebration” from “Standing Stone” – Paul McCartney

• Gloria: Gloria from “Coronation” Mass KV. 317 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Responsorial Psalm 102: “Bénis le Seigneur, l’Eternel” – Chanoine Henri Carol
• Alleluia: Alleluia from “The Jubilee” – Jean-Paul Lecot
• Thanksgiving Song after the wedding vow: “Click Song” (South African song), Soloist: Pumeza Matshikiza
• Offertory: “Laudate Dominum” KV 339 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Soloist: Renée Fleming
• Sanctus: Sanctus from “Coronation” Mass KV.317 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  Agnus Dei: Agnus Dei from “Coronation” Mass KV.317 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• During Communion: Poco Adagio from Symphony No. 3 – Camille Saint-Saens
• After Communion: “A l’image de ton amour” – Jean-Paul Lecot
• Prayer to the Virgin Mary: “Ave Maria” – Franz Schubert, Soloist: Andrea Bocelli
• Signing of the Marriage Certificate: Rejoice Greatly from “The Messiah” – George Frideric Handel, Soloist: Juan Diego Florez
• Recessional Hymn: Extracts from the Symphony No. 3 – Camille Saint-Saens

Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra – Monte-Carlo Opera Choir
Quartet of Soloists: Lisa Larsson, soprano – Wiebke Lehmkuhl, alto –Kenneth Tarver, tenor – Alexander Vinogradov, bass
Organ: Olivier Vernet – Choir Master: Stefano Visconti
Conductor: Lawrence Foster

Monaco Cathedral Choir and The Petits Chanteurs de Monaco
Organ: Jean-Cyrille Gandillet
Conductor: Pierre Debat

After the ceremony, the couple left the Palace for the Sainte Dévote Church where Princess Charlene left her bouquet. Saint Dévote is the patron saint of Monaco and it is the tradition that the bride of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco lays her bridal bouquet at the chapel after the wedding ceremony. Inside the church, a mother and her daughter — soprano Marie-Clothilde Wurz De Baets and 11-year-old Juliette — sang a simple song in honor of the Virgin Mary. The princess then burst into tears as the mother and daughter sang.

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