the elegant bride-to-be who won the heart of Albert Ahead of their 2011 royal wedding (which took place just months after the Prince and Princess of Wales') Tatler gained unprecedented access to the palace at Monte Carlo with Natalie Livingstone granted an exclusive audience with the royal bride-to-be originally published in the December 2010 issue Princess Charlene of Monaco (then Charlene Wittstock) by the pool at the Palais Princier de Monaco It was starting to look as if Prince Albert of Monaco ruler of that glitzy principality on the Côte d’Azur Then South African champion Charlene Wittstock swam into his life After their headline-making appearance at their cousin Prince William’s Centrepoint Awards in London, sisters Kitty, Amelia and Eliza talk about the causes (and clothes) close to their hearts in Tatler’s March 2025 cover story Soon afterwards, Albert followed Charlene to South Africa so they could spend time alone together. 'The prince is the most charming, generous person I've ever met,' says an enamoured Charlene. 'His patience knows no bounds and he is exceptionally caring. He has a unique ability to make everyone he comes into contact with feel special. He's the man I've dreamed of. He's perfect for me in every way. I respect him and understand him.' Chandler Tregaskes investigates the style evolution of the Princess of Monaco, from Olympian to glamazon to grunge Charlene and the prince did their best to keep their fledgling relationship quiet 'In the early stages of my relationship I had no intention of moving from South Africa On 13 April 2007 Wittstock became South Africa's 50-metre women's backstroke champion As the gossip about her relationship with Prince Albert started to go into overdrive she fled to a secret location in South Africa to enable her to train in peace for the 2008 Beijing Olympics including a fractured ankle and shoulder trauma and was forced to withdraw from the sport she loved 'Giving up competitive swimming was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make,' she sighs 'I was not emotionally prepared to retire or for the change of life that it entailed.' Charlene will not be drawn on how the prince seduced her into moving to his homeland in 2007 but one gets the sense that Albert made it clear to her that he had found his future princess Pre-engagement life in the principality was trying for Wittstock not having her swimming to keep her motivated and living alone in a small apartment in the centre of town she nonetheless retained an unshakeable faith in her prince and claims never to have had a moment's doubt that he would marry her Charlene in the Salon des Glaces (Mirror Room) But the transition to life in this glittering enclave was challenging 'The people I mixed with in Monaco didn't relate to my South African mentality or humour,' she says Then there was the inevitable language barrier - Charlene could not speak French made a valiant effort to learn the language and is gaining fluency.) informal South African girl to form genuine friendships in a highly protected frosty community that expected Albert to choose one of its own as his consort 'Of course I've been subject to jealousy but that comes with the territory,' she says 'Although I have met some wonderful people since I've been living in Monaco I only have two people I consider friends here My mother and two brothers are the only friends I need and the only people I trust I'm very grateful to have them.' Charlene on the Fontvielle ramparts at the palace Six-year-old Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella took part in the tree-planting ceremony to mark the centenary of Soroptimist International, a global volunteer service organisation aimed at improving the lives of women and girls  My hope is that I can help harness the tremendous monetary resources Monaco possesses to address a multitude of global problems Monaco has the potential to have a huge impact on the world stage.' An initial thought is to create green spaces in an otherwise concrete jungle which in turn she hopes will attract an influx of young families and fresh blood Charlene on the Carrara-marble double staircase, which leads to the Cour d'Honneur, the palace's main courtyard, from the Galerie d'Hercule Reports published this week suggest Princess Charlene is living apart from her husband Prince Albert II Michelangelos and more - only to be snatched by revolutionaries from France in 1793 who is credited with having restored the palace to its former splendour there is an air of mournful neglect about the palace which once symbolised the principality's decadence and theatricality 'This place needs a woman's touch,' she sighs 'You can tell that a woman hasn't lived here for a while I want to make some big changes to the interiors to modernise things and liven it up I would love to get ready with Albert's sisters before official functions They've always been very supportive to me.' Charlene on the balcony of the Galerie d'Hercule In four years, Charlene has metamorphosed from a swimsuit-wearing tomboy with no interest in fashion to an Armani-clad beauty 'My first Red Cross Ball was a baptism of fire,' she says of the event that is the highlight of the Monte Carlo social calendar 'I was used to living in a swimsuit and totally clueless about fashion I had been playing volleyball all day on the beach and didn't think about getting ready until late in the afternoon fixed my hair myself and painted my nails red.' She shudders at the memory 'I looked like a Christmas tree.' Giorgio Armani saw potential in the ungroomed athlete and chose Wittstock to be an ambassador for his brand two years ago, swathing her in his couture confections 'Charlene has the ideal figure for the evening gowns with a straight neckline that emphasise the fine shape of the shoulders,' says Armani 'It is a pleasure to dress her as she possesses an innate and natural elegance and knows how to wear Giorgio Armani Privé dresses with all the freshness and spontaneity of youth.' The scarlet one-shouldered gown Armani created for her for the 2009 Red Cross Ball marked her fashion coming of age She has hinted that Armani will be designing the dress for her wedding I have developed an understanding of fashion 'But coming into myself has taken time When Mr Armani approached me to become his ambassador it was a great honour He has dressed me for most of my official events He has been extremely gracious and taught me so much about the art of dressing stylishly The experience of working with Armani has opened my mind to fashion which is lined with portraits of the Grimaldis Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco’s relationship timeline: 18 moments that define their marriage highs and lowsBy Stephanie Bridger-LinningRead MoreHer chemistry with Albert is palpable he says he has finally found 'peace and contentment' with Wittstock is deferential to his frenetic workload while also understanding his need for downtime with his close coterie of male friends She knew an engagement was impending when he requested a special dispensation for her to attend the wedding of Princess Victoria of Sweden earlier this year 'He proposed the day we returned from the wedding,' she says 'Before we made an official announcement to the press I asked him to call my father.' Unfortunately Albert caught his future father-in-law at an inopportune moment 'South Africa was playing France in the football World Cup and my dad was far more excited about the game than about my news He quickly gave his consent and rushed back to the game I still haven't really absorbed the fact that I'm getting married I'm waiting for it all to sink in.' When asked about his future bride Albert regally says: 'I hope Charlene will be fully involved in the life of my country I also hope that the people of Monaco will welcome her with kindness and appreciate what her culture and fresh perspective can bring us.' Charlene seems to have won round the Monaco beau monde famous for its chilly reception of outsiders 'I've known her since she arrived in Monte Carlo Her personality is reflective of a champion athlete,' says Mark Thomas a close confidant of Prince Albert and brakeman on the royal bobsleigh team 'Charlene has carried herself with great dignity throughout their courtship Albert and Charlene share great friendship and love She's a truly wonderful human being who has handled the pressures of the relationship with dignity She has a vibrant personality and she will be fantastic for Monaco 'I met Prince Harry at a polo match in July,' she tells me I'm really hoping to get to know him better.' the magnificent property 20 minutes outside Monaco given by Prince Rainier to Grace Kelly feeding the animals and going on daily hikes Charlene and Albert host an informal garden party where members of U2 rub shoulders with a sprinkling of European aristocrats and a hefty influx of supermodels 'She has a unique ability to make everyone feel at home and welcome,' says a regular guest 'She even presented me with two commemorative chocolate medals for each of my children.' Wittstock drives herself to Roc Agel in her second-hand Toyota Prius hybrid for a kitchen supper with Albert's godfather She's every athletic inch a thoroughly modern princess This article was originally published in Tatler's December 2010 issue Don’t Miss a Single Sparkling Moment! Sign up for The Court Jeweller Newsletter The Court Jeweller Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World 01.25.2025 by // Leave a Comment and we joined in with a special feature at Hidden Gems I’ve got a bonus roundup of articles for you dedicated to some of Charlene’s most fabulous jewelry moments from the past When Charlene Wittstock married the Prince of Monaco in 2011 including a unique diamond aigrette-style tiara Princess Charlene’s Glittering Cannes Diamonds Not long before their 2011 wedding in Monaco Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock made a glittering gala appearance in France For amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS Gala the couple looked every inch the descendants of classic Hollywood Princess Charlene’s Civil Wedding Jewels Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock began their wedding celebrations at the Palais Princier on July 1 The two-day event included a civil wedding ceremony a reception for the public outside the palace and an elaborate reception on the Opera Terraces A Diamond Garland of Wild Roses for the Princesses of Monaco two of Monaco’s princesses celebrated birthdays—Princess Caroline on Wednesday we’re taking a look at a spectacular piece of jewelry that has been worn by both of them: the Duchess of Valentinois’s magnificent diamond floral corsage ornament Princess Charlene’s Modern Ocean-Inspired Tiara received a jewelry haul fit for a modern royal woman when she married Prince Albert II in the summer of 2011 she wore one of her new tiaras—but in a very different form Princess Charlene’s Astonishing Aquamarine Earrings Today’s bejeweled flashback takes us to August 2013 when Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco arrived for the annual Red Cross Gala The charity event has been held in the summer in Monaco since the 1940s Princess Charlene’s Elegant Diplomatic Pearls the Princess of Monaco appeared in a classic pearl necklace with a modern twist for an important diplomatic ceremony in the principality Princess Charlene’s Glittering New Year Earrings in Monaco Prince Albert II of Monaco was joined by his wife Princess Charlene—and she brought a little extra sparkle to the moment Sparkling Grimaldi Diamonds at the Golden Nymph Awards in Monaco Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene stepped out on the blue carpet for the Golden Nymph Awards the final event of the 63rd annual Monte-Carlo International Television Festival The festival was created by Albert’s father in the 1960s to recognize excellent professional work in the medium across the world Categories // Monaco Enter your name and email address below to subscribe to our weekly newsletter Sign up for my new subscriber-supported community, Hidden Gems, delivered directly to you each Saturday! Copyright © 2025 THE COURT JEWELLER LLC Princess Charlene’s brother and businessman Gareth Wittstock has become a highly visible figure in the Principality through his role as Secretary General of his sister’s charity and his many appearances at major sporting and charity events Gareth Michael Wittstock is certainly known for being Princess Charlene’s younger brother Gareth Wittstock grew up in South Africa along with his sister Charlene who became the Princess Consort of Monaco after marrying Prince Albert II in 2011 As published in the Principality’s official bulletin on April 27 Gareth Wittstock became a naturalised Monegasque that same year His naturalisation enabled him to fully integrate in Monaco Having trained as a computer engineer, Gareth Wittstock worked in a variety of fields before moving to Monaco, where he became involved in several charitable initiatives, including the Princess Charlene Foundation, where he has held the position of Secretary General since 2018. The Foundation, created in 2012 by his sister is dedicated to preventing drowning and to educating children through sport His close bond with his sister and his philanthropic commitments have made him a respected and much loved figure in the Principality Gareth Wittstock agreed to answer our questions about his missions and projects especially because it touches on a cause that is dear both to me and to my older sister Princess Charlene: teaching children around the world to swim and promoting educational values through sport The Foundation’s mission is to make youngsters aware of the dangers of water and teach them how to swim while instilling values such as discipline As Secretary General, my mission is to oversee, with the help of my colleagues within the Foundation and our partners, the smooth running and efficient organisation of our international projects This includes ensuring that each initiative is in line with our shared objectives and achieves the desired outcomes We pride ourselves on promoting water safety and using sport as a vehicle for education and personal development for young people This also includes coordinating with our local and international partners to ensure that our projects are carried out efficiently My role also involves representing the Foundation at different events forging strategic partnerships and mobilising resources to support our actions I make sure that the Foundation’s vision and values are reflected in everything we do Will we be seeing you in the field with the Foundation in the near future Yes, of course, and I’m particularly pleased to announce that our Water Safety Days are back in force this June! This week, we were in Corsica for an event that is particularly close to our hearts We have developed a great relationship with the town of Calvi and its inhabitants and this year will mark the fourth edition of the Water Safety Days there We look forward to building on these bonds and continuing to promote water safety for children After Calvi, we went to the town of Léon We organised the day for the children of Léon with the help of Stéphanie Barneix the world lifesaving champion and Foundation ambassador Stéphanie brings invaluable expertise and a contagious enthusiasm about water safety and we are delighted to be working with her for the new edition We’ll conclude the Water Safety Days in Monaco Pupils from the Principality’s schools will take part in the activities on offer this time in the company of our Monegasque ambassador the free diving record holder Pierre Frolla and his team at the Académie Monégasque de la Mer (Monegasque Academy of the Sea) Their commitment and expertise will make it a rewarding and safe experience for all the children taking part What do you think is the best way to raise public awareness about water safety and prevent drowning and school curricula that include water safety awareness sessions It is important that children learn how to swim from an early age but also that they understand the dangers of water and basic lifesaving techniques Awareness campaigns also play a vital role Strict regulation of bathing facilities is also essential beaches and other bathing areas must be equipped with adequate safety features Working with schools to integrate water safety programmes into the curriculum collaborating with local businesses to secure funding and resources and involving athlete ambassadors to promote water safety initiatives can all strengthen and expand the impact of these efforts You created the Riviera Water Bike Challenge Do you have any other similar projects in the pipelne This event was organised for the first time in 2020 It was an idea that my sister and I had had in mind for some time which requires a lot of preparation on the part of the Foundation team and the town of Calvi The challenge is to cross from Calvi to Monaco in a water bike relay so there will be more competition and more participants this year as at the previous edition of the Crossing the funds raised will go towards financing our Foundation’s projects We’re very pleased with the progress we’ve made with the organisation and our partners’ enthusiasm when we announced the return of the event and we hope to see a big public turnout to welcome us home when we arrive in Monaco in September and it quickly became a real passion for me and we were always encouraged to participate actively Sport is a powerful tool for social change and community development By combining our passion for sport with charitable initiatives we are able not only to promote a healthy lifestyle but also to have a positive impact on society It is this belief that has guided our work within the Foundation since it was created in 2012 It’s no secret that you are a big lover of motorsports How do you feel about the results at this year’s F1 Grand Prix We are all delighted with the results at the F1 Grand Prix this year and to see our Monegasque driver, Charles Leclerc, win at home. We have been following and encouraging Charles since he started out and he has also been a Foundation ambassador  for several years now along with another great driver and very good friend of mine Charles’ victory at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix is not only a source of pride for the entire Principality it also reinforces our admiration for him as an athlete and ambassador for our cause I am actively practicing a number of sports ever day as preparation to take part in the Calvi to Monaco Crossing again this year which is always a very pleasant experience I recently discovered a passion for walking I train daily for a possible challenge I have set for myself and that should come to fruition over the summer a real personal challenge that I have never taken on before Right now I’m very focused on my current activities but I am always open to opportunities that may arise in the future It’s always exciting to see what the future has in store for us Camille Gottlieb: “Helping others is a source of immense pride” MonacoTribune straight to your inbox? 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WATCH NOW: Charlene and Albert married in 2011 Princess Charlene's brother made a rare appearance to support the Princess of Monaco as Prince Albert stayed home the Princess of Monaco officially opened the 25th edition of No Finish Line Monaco No Finish Line is a charity race where every kilometre completed is converted into a donation to benefit disadvantaged or sick children The event was established by the Jeune Chambre Économique of Monaco in 1999 to mark Monaco's first Children's Rights Day Charlene's brother makes rare appearance to support Princess of Monaco as Albert stays home No Finish Line celebrates its 25th anniversary the Princess of Monaco was supported by her brother the Prince and Princess of Monaco joined forces as they took part in Monaco's annual Red Cross Christmas giveaway Princess Charlene officially opened the 25th edition of No Finish Line Monaco looked typically stylish in an off-white sleeveless blazer paired with sleek black trousers and a roll-neck blouse The festive outing came just days after Charlene opened up about life as an Olympian before she married into Monaco's Princely family The Zimbabwean-born royal was a successful swimmer before she retired from the professional sport in 2007 Princess Charlene and Prince Albert attended the Red Cross Gifts Distribution earlier this week Princess Charlene was also joined by her brother but not as much as before," she told Gala Magazine "I don't practise swimming as intensely as in the past Charlene made a heartbreaking admission: "It can be quite difficult because my nature is to want to beat records I can no longer do that… my body won’t let me Princess Charlene was joined by her brother in a rare public appearance as she took on her role as patron of No Finish Line Monaco on Saturday was notably absent from this year’s 25th-anniversary event which transforms every completed kilometer into donations supporting sick or disadvantaged children established in 1999 by Monaco's Jeune Chambre Économique marks Monaco's first Children’s Rights Day and has grown into a cherished tradition this year’s event maintains its hallmark races—the 24-hour trophy and the eight-day run she received support from her family as she officially opened the 25th edition the Prince and Princess of Monaco teamed up for the annual Red Cross Christmas giveaway demonstrating their shared commitment to community and charity The appearance came shortly after the former Olympian shared insights into her life as an elite swimmer before joining Monaco's Princely family who retired from competitive swimming in 2007 opened up to Gala Magazine about her current approach to fitness Carnie Wilson shares what one exec said about her ‘weight problem’ for Wilson Phillips music videos Naomi Campbell to not attend Met Gala 2025 because of rift with organizer Anna Wintour Alexander Skarsgard gets real about fatherhood and hurdles Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox step out to run errands after first baby together Rowling talks about ‘power to sack an actor’ from the Harry Potter series Zoë Kravitz and Noah Centineo casually step out in New York City together Copyright © 2025. The News International, All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Authors Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Senior Charlotte Wittstock has been a key part of the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse program over the last four seasons After her first two years with the Crusaders were shortened due to COVID she appeared in 10 games while making eight starts as a junior Selected as a team captain prior to this season she missed the first half of the year due to injury before starting in six of her eight appearances over the last few weeks Wittstock recently joined us to let us know a little more about her background and what she has done during her time on Mount St Athletics Giving Day is coming up on April 28-29 Make an impact by supporting our program as Crusaders Together how did you first become aware of the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse program?I first became aware of the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse program when the coaching staff saw me play at a tournament going into my sophomore year of high school Amanda Belichick reached out to my club coach and expressed her interest in me as a player however nothing compared to my initial impression of the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse program I first visited Holy Cross fall of my sophomore year and I will never forget how welcoming the lacrosse program and campus community were What made you decide you wanted to attend college at Holy Cross?I would say that I was most drawn to the strong community and school pride here at Holy Cross professors and staff were all incredibly welcoming which is a testament to Holy Cross’ culture I remember attending a class where a professor had me introduce myself which really speaks to the level of engagement and investment each professor gives to their students It was clear to me that the Holy Cross culture was only going to enhance my experience as a student-athlete What is your favorite thing about being part of the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse program?Definitely my teammates and the life-long friends the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse program has given me We have always had an incredibly close team all four years that I have been here and it is clear that these relationships do not end after graduating The Holy Cross women’s lacrosse alumni do an outstanding job helping current members of the team to network and explore future job opportunities which I have definitely utilized throughout my time here This year we have had the privilege to hear from different alumni throughout our season which has been a great way to connect with the players who came before us there is overwhelming support from the Holy Cross women’s lacrosse community which I think is so special What are some of the things you and your teammates do away from the field to build team unity?My teammates and I love going to other Holy Cross sports teams' games to show our support This has been a great way to interact with the Holy Cross community and spend time together away from the field We also eat almost all of our meals together in Kimball dining hall which has been another way that we bond and build team unity outside of lacrosse on a daily basis How did you react when you found out you had been selected as one of the captains for this year’s team?When Amanda called me to share the news I was incredibly honored and excited at the opportunity to expand my role as a leader on the team and continue to build the program and push my teammates towards their full potential How have you been able to develop throughout your four years at Holy Cross to play a bigger role on the team each season?Throughout my four years at Holy Cross I have definitely been able to develop as a player There was definitely a huge learning curve for my grade in terms of collegiate experience after having two of our seasons canceled due to the pandemic While the experience we had as underclassmen proved incredibly limited this also presented an opportunity for us to step up into some pretty big leadership roles as juniors It was our responsibility to help lead a team of girls who also had seasons disrupted by COVID whether that be their high school senior season or their first year of college While there were many challenges we faced as student-athletes during the pandemic I would argue that these challenges allowed me to step into a leadership role on the team early on and it prepared me best to captain the team my senior year Tell us how receiving an athletic scholarship to Holy Cross has put you in position to receive an elite education while also having an outstanding athletic experience?Receiving an athletic scholarship at Holy Cross has given me the opportunity to play the sport I love while also receiving an amazing education Amanda and the coaching staff have always stressed the importance of putting our academics first which has allowed me to pursue my studies without limitation.The mantra on our team “how you do one thing is how you do everything” really embodies the relationship between academics and athletics Being granted the opportunity to play at my highest athletic ability has also helped me to approach my academics with the same focus and work ethic I utilize on the field You have been selected to the Patriot League Academic honor roll in each of your first three seasons and last year you were also named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Academic Honor Roll How have you been able to balance academics and athletics to have so much success in the classroom?As student-athletes however this allows us to develop strong time management skills early on The structure that lacrosse has given me has taught me how to embrace a busy schedule and use it to my advantage Many of the skillsets we employ as athletes apply to academics and I believe that playing a collegiate sport pushes me to approach my academics with the same mindset Last year you did an internship with Stifel Financial Corp. and you accepted an offer to join them on a full-time basis following your graduation What excites you the most about that opportunity?I am most excited about taking the skills I have gained as a student-athlete and applying them to my career I am also super excited to be an active alum and serve as a mentor to the team as they navigate their potential careers The Holy Cross women’s lacrosse alumni played a huge role in helping me explore potential careers in finance and I am excited to do the same and give back to the program we’ll have you answer a few quick non-lacrosse questions.What’s the best book you’ve ever read?Malibu RisingWhat’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten?I love all turkey clubsIf you didn’t play lacrosse what sport would you play?If I didn’t play lacrosse I would definitely have loved to play tennis in college I grew up playing and it’s definitely a sport I am going to continue to pursue after my lacrosse career!If you could be any kind of animal what would you be?A dolphinWhat’s your dream vacation spot?Anywhere on the beach!If you could meet one person Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Fresh rumours are swirling around the state of the relationship between Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco Whispers surrounding the state of the royal marriage have resurfaced intermittently over the years. Paternity suits, wedding day tears and awkward public appearances have led to widespread speculation. Most notably, Princess Charlene, 47, a former Olympic swimmer, spent the majority of 2021 in South Africa while Prince Albert, 67, remained at home. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene with children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella in May The Monaco royal palace has not commented on the claims. However, Prince Albert has publicly dismissed separate rumours of an estrangement, branding the tabloid reports ‘malicious’ and untrue. This was the latest twist in the tumultuous marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene on their wedding day The Hollywood actors on the red carpet at the Monte Carlo TV Festival paled in comparison to the classic elegance of Princess Charlene of Monaco The royal couple issued a statement dismissing the ‘malicious rumours’ ‘I would like to formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the French magazine Royauté Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded,’ a spokesperson said Prince Albert and Princess Charlene at the coronation The couple have worked hard to dismiss this chatter and continue to put on a united front on important occasions, including the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla (they even joined other foreign VIPs at Oswald’s on the eve of the service) they released a low-key photo via their Instagram account which shows Prince Albert and Princess Charlene smiling into each other’s eyes at a royal engagement It is notable for its lack of flashiness – for their 10th anniversary which coincided with Princess Charlene’s extended stay in South Africa in 2021 the royal palace released a series of slickly-produced videos trumpeting their royal romance the couple appear determined to put rumours of marital strife behind them with Charlene adopting a sleek blonde hair-do and elegant wardrobe to match her chic new look VALERY HACHE/Getty Images2/18Rumours of a separation August 2023Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco found their marriage under the microscope once again after European tabloids reported the couple were living in separate countries Charlene was said to be living in Switzerland while Albert remains in Monaco with their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella The palace has not commented on the reports but previously dismissed separate rumours of an estrangement July 2023Prince Albert and Princess Charlene released a low-key photo to mark their 12th wedding anniversary It was shared on Instagram with the simple caption (translated from French): ‘Happy wedding anniversary to Their Highnesses Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.’ SEBASTIEN NOGIER/Getty Images5/18A family Christmas, December 2022Princess Charlene continued to go from strength to strength and put on a united front with Prince Albert and their twins, Gabriella and Jacques, at a family-friendly Christmas event. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images7/18Charlene does not attend National Day of Monaco, November 2021After undergoing a final procedure in South Africa, Charlene returned to Monaco on 8 November, once her doctors clear her for travel. Within weeks, however, she was away from her family once again, absent from the festivities on the National Day of Monaco on 19 November, with Albert confirming that his wife was receiving treatment at a medical facility. SC Pool - Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images8/18Charlene is absent from 10th wedding anniversary, July 2021Several months after Charlene arrived in South Africa, she remained there, even missing her 10th wedding anniversary in July 2021. She revealed in an interview that she hoped to return home in October at the earliest, when her doctors advised she would be well enough to do so. Due to the difficulty of travelling during the pandemic, visits from her family were limited. Instagram: @hshprincesscharlene9/18Charlene travels to South Africa, early 2021At the beginning of 2021, Charlene travelled to South Africa as part of her philanthropy and conservation work. After arriving, she revealed that she had an infection as a result of a prior surgery, and had been deemed unsuitable for flying. Harold Cunningham / Getty Images10/18A third paternity suit against Albert was filed, December 2020In mid December it was revealed that a Brazilian woman was suing Prince Albert for paternity of her child, who she claimed was conceived during Albert's relationship with Charlene. The couple put on a united front, with Albert's lawyers claiming it was a ‘hoax’. Charlene was spotted later with a dramatic new hairstyle, a punkish under-cut. Villard / Niviere / PLS Pool / Getty Images11/18The couple’s twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, are born, 2014On 10 December 2014, it was announced that Princess Charlene had given birth to twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques. Despite Gabriella being the first born, Monaco’s laws mean that Jacques is ahead of her in the line of succession. Abaca Press / Alamy Stock Photo13/18The couple announce that they are engaged, 2010After months of speculation, the couple announced their engagement on 23 June 2010. Prince Albert proposed with a pear-cut diamond engagement ring and reportedly phoned her father Michael to ask for her hand in marriage. MJ Kim / Getty Images15/18Prince Albert confirms via a statement that he is Jazmin Grimaldi’s father, 2006Just a year after confirming that he was the father of one illegitimate child, Albert finally admitted that he was the father of Tamara Rotolo’s daughter, the American woman who had filed a paternity suit against him in 1992. Toni Anne Barson Archive / WireImage via Getty Images16/18Prince Albert is enthroned as leader of Monaco following the death of his father, 2005Albert was named regent of Monaco in March 2005, after his father, the then 81-year-old Prince Rainier III, became ill. A week later, upon his father’s death, Albert was enthroned as the new leader of the principality. Alain BENAINOUS / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images17/18Prince Albert confirms he is father of Alexandre after paternity suit, 2005Throughout the 1990s, Albert was known as a playboy prince, often seen with models on his arm at glamorous events. During his early days of dating Charlene, he was forced to concede fathering a child with another woman, an Air France stewardess, a son called Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste. SubscriptionOffers Give a Gift Subscribe Germany in February 1933 as it unfolded day-by-day Carl Zuckmayer was getting ready for a party in Berlin He would have preferred not to go but it wasn’t just any party It was the Press Ball and his invitation marked him out as a rising literary star The worries and concerns of the characters we meet are personal and the looming political catastrophe a distant thought Zuckmayer would rub shoulders with writers old friends and famous faces; the guest list was a veritable who’s who of German cultural life riding high on the success of All Quiet on the Western Front On the morning following the ball he would travel home to his Swiss villa on Lago Maggiore would become a destination for refugees One sign that this year’s ball was unusual was the absence of politicians; in a normal year bending the ear of editors and journalists speculation would spread that Adolf Hitler was about to be appointed chancellor. Within a month he had established himself at the head of a dictatorship.  February 1933 describes that crucial month as it unfolded day-by-day through the lives of a varied cast of artists and writers. As Wittstock explains his choice is partly pragmatic: their lives were simply more thoroughly documented than most people’s Wittstock weaves together an intimate history of a momentous month in European history from an abundance of correspondence But the experiences of his chosen cast – all people of letters – are unique in other ways These were culturally prominent people – some more so than others – and their visibility made them vulnerable as the Nazis rose to power with an avowed agenda to purge German culture of foreign or otherwise undesirable elements men dressed in black furiously scribble in lecture halls and theatres compiling blacklists and recording unacceptable utterances the book has the tone of journalistic reportage as the reader finds themself placed in the midst of unfolding events Each chapter ends with a summary of the day’s events cataloguing violence and deaths with the stark brevity of a news bulletin Private lives unravel against a background of orchestrated turbulence Goebbels organises a torchlit march through Berlin to celebrate Hitler’s ascension to power but is disappointed with the effect on camera and later restages it Political theatrics are set alongside the suppression of artists and writers many of whom are hounded out of the country The dilemma about whether to stay or leave becomes a recurrent preoccupation Some remain despite warnings to leave because ‘[s]omeone has to bear witness and tell the stories of the coming age’ Others are sure these troubles will soon pass and decide to wait it out The final chapter chronicling their fates makes solemn reading.  February 1933 richly evokes what it was like to live through a time in which democracy was hijacked and fundamental rights stripped away There are warnings here against complacency in systems which can and against the silencing of political dissent. As Joseph Roth wrote to Stefan Zweig: ‘By now it will have become clear to you that we drift towards great calamities … Letting barbarism assume rule bore fruit.’  Camilla Cassidy is Senior Lecturer in the Humanities at Leuphana University of Lüneburg Meet the new Big Brothers Big Sisters directorUSA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinSHEBOYGAN - Denise Wittstock is joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sheboygan County as its new executive director effective May 15 Wittstock is succeeding Tim Kaker, who is retiring on June 1 after serving as the nonprofit agency’s executive director for the past 40 years Wittstock was serving as the volunteer service director for the United Way of Manitowoc County after living in the Phoenix area for almost 20 years “I am grateful and honored to be in this position,” Wittstock said “The agency has a long history of success in Sheboygan County apply the knowledge I’ve accumulated in my past roles to the challenges facing youth in Sheboygan County and grow Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sheboygan County even more.” Wittstock accepted the position after an intensive six-month search process by the Board of Directors Nearly 200 applications were received and a lengthy multi-step process was conducted before the offer was made to Wittstock our volunteers and the Sheboygan community,” Wittstock said “It’s great to be back in Sheboygan and enjoy the support of family as our growing family gets settled.” Wittstock's background includes serving as the manager of volunteer services and animal-assisted therapy at Phoenix Children’s Hospital for more than six years prior to relocating to Sheboygan last year she was the vice president of marketing for GrayStock Marketing a group of marketing and public relations professionals that help nonprofit organizations plan and execute new She is also the founder and CEO of Outside the Game an organization that provides education and guidance to professional athletes in their personal philanthropy to enable them to maximize influence in their communities and improve their brand The company offers education about the world of philanthropy to both teams and individuals community relations and event management as well as guidance related to existing charitable projects “I’ve been fortunate to spend some time with Tim Kaker just trying to soak up some of his knowledge,” said Wittstock ”I’m coming into a great situation with a stable agency that has room to grow.” Big Brothers Big Sisters partners with individual donors governments and others to build the critical network of support that funds and enables the work of carefully matching children with caring adult mentors and providing ongoing support to the child As the number of youth in vulnerable economic situations in Sheboygan County continues to rise, financial support that will allow BBBSSC to grow and meet those needs is even more critical. Those interested in making a donation should contact Denise Wittstock at 920-458-0111 or denise@bbbssc.org Volunteers are also needed to provide youth with support and encouragement through caring and consistent friendships. People interested in volunteering should contact the office at 920-458-0111 or visit www.bbbssc.org for more information ShareSaveSmall BusinessFranchisesThe Rise, Fall And Resurgence Of The Pond Guy: AquascapeByKarsten Strauss, Today the roof has been fixed, and Wittstock says Aquascape is growing again: "We had to strip and rebuild the whole business from the ground up." A motivational poster depicting the collapsed roof hangs on an office wall, showing Wittstock and his managers in the foreground, wearing hard hats and stern expressions, beneath the word "perseverance." Eventually others started admiring his creations. "I thought, there's gotta be a business here." In 1991 Wittstock, then a junior at Ohio State, built five ponds, netting him $11,000. The following August interest spiked after a Chicago Tribune article on his work, and he collected $36,000 in deposit checks in one day. When Wittstock's father joined the venture, it was as an equal partner. A brief collaboration, however, led to a decadelong feud. "My dad believed that the key to success was the engineering of the products," says Greg, "and I believed that the key to success was selling the lifestyle." Tired of the friction, Gary left Aquascape in 1996 and started his own pond-accessory business, PondSweep. "My goal was to build a better filter I could sell to Greg," Gary says, "but Greg was so angry that he really didn't want to buy filters from me." Instead, they became competitors and stopped speaking. At its peak PondSweep hit almost $7 million in sales, then faltered. In 2006 Greg bought the company's remaining assets, and Gary now works for Aquascape's social media team. "We've never had an issue since he's come back into the business because I'm the sole owner," says Greg. Gary has a gentler view: "I think we appreciated each other more because we'd been separated for a while." After his father left, Wittstock tried franchising but couldn't find contractors willing to pay $50,000 for franchise rights. So he taught the contractors his pond-building system through demonstrations and a certification program, mandating that they use his equipment. "It's a franchise system without a franchise fee," he says. The average specialty contractor builds 30 to 40 ponds, or "water features," a year. Wittstock says customers who buy a pond generally upgrade twice, usually to an 11-by-16-foot kit for about $10,000: "Everybody wants a water feature. They just don't know it yet." Sipping ice tea from a 70-ounce Bubba Keg mug, Wittstock gazes out his office window at his own pond--a 650,000-gallon, self-supporting ecosystem with an underwater cave and a grotto. It was completed in 2008, the year real estate values tanked and homeowners stopped spending money on landscaping. Suddenly, he says, "everything I did I had to filter through the budget, where before I had no budget because I had double-digit growth every year." Three rounds of layoffs cut Aquascape staff from 195 to 110, some of whom exited bleating expletives and damnation. A professional turnaround specialist--hired as president in 2007--alienated managers and left after 18 months, replaced by CFO Colleen Heitzler, who still runs the day-to-day. "I'm not a manager," Wittstock says. "I'm a visionary." The future he envisioned included selling a rainwater-retention system that never lived up to expectations and catering to hobby builders by developing entry-level pond kits and components. Today do-it-yourselfers represent 30% of Aquascape's retail sales. To reach the uninitiated, Wittstock attacked social media, launching a Facebook page and a YouTube channel that's up to 9 million views. And slowly the pond industry is climbing back. Last year Aquascape netted $2.8 million on $35 million in revenue, and it projects double-digit growth this year. One competitor, New Jersey-based Savio Engineering, had $6 million in sales in 2014 and is seeing a 15% increase this year, says its president, Valerie Steele, who adds that Wittstock's promotion of the industry benefits everyone. "I think one of his better skills is marketing," she says. Wittstock now has his own reality show to sell the aquatic lifestyle. Premiering last September on Nat Geo Wild, Pond Stars saw Wittstock and pals tackling pond builds in various locations while enduring each other's friendly ribbing. Though the show attracted a cult following, its ratings were lackluster and Nat Geo declined to renew the series. So Wittstock took over, renaming the show Aquascape Pond Squad , installing a production studio in his offices and shooting episodes at $25,000 a pop to air on his YouTube channel. "As long as consumers can find the content," he says, "I'm happy." Wittstock still thinks he can turn Aquascape into a $100 million business eventually, in part because his contractors know what they're doing now. "When it was the heyday," he says, "they were making money by osmosis. Today they're making money because they're good." In 2002, she was appointed to the Minneapolis Library Board, where she served for six years. Laura Waterman Wittstock could sit two people down with opposing views and come out with a resolution. Lloyd Wittstock, her husband, likened her demeanor to another person who grew up in Hawaii, ex-President Barack Obama. "If you lose your cool, you're embarrassing yourself," Lloyd Wittstock said. "Try to get at what is going on and try to resolve it." Wittstock was a prominent leader and advocate for Native Americans in Minnesota and across the country. She died Saturday at the age of 83 after battling an autoimmune disease for years, according to her family. "She was able to bridge and that was her gift — that's what made her advocacy so valuable to Native people," said Elaine Salinas, a longtime friend. "She was able to step outside of the Native community in ways that other people couldn't and build those bridges." Outside of giving advice and helping others in their life paths, Wittstock was a member of many nonprofit boards and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the National Commission on Alcoholism and Alcohol problems. In 2002, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak appointed her to the city Library Board, where she served for six years. Wittstock was born on the Cattaraugus Indian reservation in New York, on Sept. 11, 1937, and was a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, Heron clan, according to her family. In 1945, she moved to Honolulu with her family where she lived for nine years. At the Legislative Review, a Native American political journal in Washington, D.C., Wittstock helped disseminate the news of legislation affecting American Indians. When she moved in Minneapolis in 1973, she worked at the Red School House — a survivor school in St. Paul dedicated to educating underserved American Indian children. She wrote grants to fund the school and sometimes drove the school van to pick up students. The idea of the schools was to integrate Indigenous culture and beliefs into the curriculum to build pride. That would encourage students to learn more naturally, Salinas said. At the same time, Wittstock started meeting with University of Minnesota students who were interested in journalism. That endeavor evolved into the creation of Migizi Communications — a nonprofit she co-founded that serves as a media outlet for American Indian voices. "She really wanted to make a difference in the lives of American Indians and how we were presented in mainstream media," said Kelly Drummer, president of Migizi, adding Wittstock mentored her for many years. "She has mentored so many young women. I feel like that was one of her purposes in life was to work with us and prepare us for our lives." The organization was created to counter the negative tilt of mainstream media coverage of American Indian communities. "She was really a big part of that in telling the real story in what's happening across Indian Country," Drummer said. "That's why she started this work in the '70s because our story needs to be heard and needs to continue being heard." Wittstock was also passionate about documenting and educating others about Native history, according to her friends and family. In 1993, she published "Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking." Twenty years later, she used a Minnesota Historical Society grant to help produce a book called "We Are Still Here: A Photographic History of the American Indian Movement." Aside from her husband, Wittstock is survived by children Arthur Waterman Simas, James Olivera Simas, Tedi Marie Grey Owl, Rosy Marie Simas, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson. Alex Chhith is a general assignment reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune. No Section Peek inside homes for sale in the Twin Cities area After falling behind 17-0 at halftime and being dominated most of the game the Bulldogs may have locked up a spot in the College Football Playoff This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page USA—Serial entrepreneur and media-tech mastermind announced today the launch of an all-new socially interactive mobile podcast platform Podopolo™ empowers content creators to profit from their podcasts and engage their audiences to make a positive difference in the world – all while having fun only a small percentage of podcasters earn an income from their podcasts and with the creation of Podopolo™ while podcast fans discover new favorite podcasts and win prizes and rewards as they interact with content put learning into action to enhance their lives Podopolo’s AI-driven deep audience intelligence enables advertisers and sponsors to target specific audiences on-app and on-air and also drive higher return on investment via higher consumer-brand engagement rates through social interaction and gamification Podopolo™ is the first to enable “content as conversation” rewarding individuals and communities in achievement-oriented activities and actions for social impact so podcast fans can unlock a myriad of bonuses including free products and services from their favorite brands A true all-service network: Everyone who interacts with the mobile network will benefit from doing so The three tiers of podcaster membership service range from $97 - $497 per month and include transparent audience analytics (behavior demographics) as well as monetization for podcasters from advertising and a paywall for premium content “Our goal at Podopolo™ is to improve lives and raise consciousness around the globe by connecting diverse communities to world-changing content and each other on the first interactive and gamified podcast network,” states Wittstock “By creating profitable opportunities for podcasters as well as address the planet’s most pressing challenges we make sure mega-impact ideas get amplified in the way they deserve.” This is a press release which we link to from Podnews, our daily newsletter about podcasting and on-demand We may make small edits for editorial reasons the page you are looking for is currently unavailable.Please try again later If you see this error constantly and you are the system administrator of this resource then please make sure that you are not blocking our IP address: 217.182.147.99 Error Message: Connect timeout reached (5 seconds) SHEBOYGAN - A simple conversation between two co-workers looking to donate to the Afghan refugees being sheltered at Fort McCoy turned into a much larger donation from the community.  a military veteran and imaging manager at HSHS St organized a donation drive that nearly filled a large U-Haul truck with enough clothes for a quarter of the refugees at the U.S asked Wittstock if he knew where to find cheap children's clothes she could donate to child refugees Wittstock couldn't help but want to contribute as well.  More than 8,000 refugees are being sheltered at Fort McCoy after fleeing Afghanistan following the U.S troop withdrawal and the Taliban's rise to power Wittstock said he thought about all the extra clothes he his wife and their children had and would be able to donate 'I could send an email out to all of our colleagues here and have them do the same,'" Wittstock said but he also reached out to other employees at the hospital asking them to relay the message to their friends and colleagues.  Denise Wittstock, John's wife and the chief executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters WI Shoreline also sent an email to more than 200 people asking for donations.  More: Here's how three Sheboygan high school seniors are helping to make a change for local women in poverty More: 'On the card!': This McDonald's 'drive-thru guy' became a Sheboygan icon with his jokes, stories and costumes "That was on Saturday (Aug. 28) at 10 in the morning," said Wittstock. "By Sunday evening, I probably fielded about 70 phone calls about (the donations). I had already made three trips to the hospital with clothes people had dropped off at my house." After clearing it with the CEO of St. Nicholas, Wittstock arranged for donations to be dropped off at the hospital on the afternoon of Aug. 30. Those who couldn't make the Monday time slot were encouraged to drop their donations off at Wittstock's house before then. Donations included clothes, personal hygiene products and even gift cards. "You see these people that literally left their homes and have nothing, and people really came through to give them something," Wittstock said. Wittstock and Hanson initially planned to take the donations to Tomah in his mini-van and her SUV. Within the first half hour of collecting donations, they realized they would need a much bigger vehicle.  Organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Love INC, Sheboygan Christian School, and Mama Bear & Co. and Shepard's Closet and Food Pantry in Sheboygan Falls all made sizeable donations.  By the end of the day, the donations filled three-fourths of a 26-foot U-Haul.   "When the day was over, there were a couple of (hospital) leaders that came down to the basement to bring their donations," Wittstock said. "When they saw how much we collected in just the day, two separate people were brought to tears. They were so impressed by the outpouring of the community coming together." A close friend of Hanson's, a doctor who is volunteering at Fort McCoy, told her the Sheboygan donation had clothed a quarter of the camp, or about 2,000 people.  "A story that really touched me the most was that there was a gentleman that came off of one of the planes wearing a dirty bath towel and that was it," Wittstock said. "That is all he had to his name. He left everything. I don't think people realize how good we have it here." On Sept. 4, John Wittstock drove the U-Haul truck to an Army captain's house in Tomah to drop off the donations to be transported to Fort McCoy. They emptied the truck into the captain's garage, and from there the donations were taken by military trucks into the base. "It was a good feeling doing it, and it was a great feeling knowing that the community of Sheboygan was able to get this together in such a short period of time," Wittstock said. "I want to thank everyone that participated in this because it was great." Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-226-4241 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa. “I’m feeling good,” Charlene said. “It’s a beautiful day. The whole country is so excited.” Of the week’s turbulent stories, she said, “It is a shame that those rumors came at such a bad time, but I think they were timed to sabotage such a happy occasion. They are categorical lies. I won’t dignify them with any response other than to say that the photographs of me and Albert in love and getting married will speak louder than any vicious gossip and empty rumors.” Charlene’s maids of honor, Danish designer Isabell Kristensen and Albert’s cousin Donatella Knecht de Massy, have been integral to the smooth running of the preparations and were by her side this afternoon. “I let my maids of honor choose whatever outfits they wanted,” Charlene said. “Both ladies have been exceptional friends, and I had absolutely no doubt they would do me proud.” Charlene herself opted to forgo a hat or veil. "Everyone else will, so why should I?” she said with a laugh. Model Karolina Kurkova, who has become a close personal friend to Charlene, was on hand to usher in the party spirit, playing and singing along to her favorite Coldplay tracks. Wearing a Chanel Couture dress, Kurkova dug into a basket of bread rolls dipped in olive oil, defying the notion that supermodels are pathologically fearful of carbs. “Everything in moderation,” she said as she inspected Charlene’s hair and makeup with a practiced eye. Finally, hair perfect and makeup immaculate, it was time to call the two Chanel seamstresses who had flown in from Paris. Charlene slipped into the changing room and reemerged as a vision in azure lace and chiffon—a color which will now be known as "Charlene Blue." Ardizzone applied one final coat of "Charlene" lipstick, a shade he created in honor of the day, and the bride-to-be made her final journey to the palace as a commoner to marry her prince. marries his longtime love in a low-key ceremony Charlene canceled her planned appearance at Monaco’s National Day ceremonies and her husband told a local newspaper that she left the principality to seek further medical care sparking another round of rumors about the state of their marriage The speculation only intensified when the couple’s 9-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were photographed holding signs that said “We Love You “My daughter used to swim 20km a day,” he said I know she’s tough and will get through this and come out much stronger.” didn’t actually get to see their daughter during her stay “[There are] our ages—we have to be very careful,” he said “I also didn’t want to possibly infect her because she’d been through so many medical procedures and was vulnerable.” So they resorted to other means to stay in touch “We spoke regularly on the phone and I speak with the twins,” he said “She had difficulty eating after all the procedures and so yes but it was because she could only have soft foods and liquids.” Chantell also denied that Charlene’s extended stay in the country she once represented in the Olympics had anything to do with Albert “Albert loves and supports Charlene 100%,” she said “Their marriage is strong and they fully support each other.” She responded to rumors that Charlene had been living alone in an apartment above a chocolate factory while in Monaco “Charlene will not be living in the apartment—which is the family’s apartment by the way—on her own She and Albert have properties all over and stay in different ones depending on where they are needed I can definitely tell you that if she’s there it will be with Albert and their children.” Chantell also elaborated on the mental effects of Charlene’s illness “She had a lot of procedures in a short space of time,” she said “She was under a lot of stress at the time It was extremely traumatic for her to go through all the pain and scrutiny from the media while being away from her family and children She missed them terribly and it wasn’t easy for her.” According to Chantell Charlene did stay busy during her stay in South Africa by getting involved in charity projects such as starting a food program for children and making blankets for a nearby school on her sewing machine “Helping others is what drives her,” she said A family friend who wished to remain anonymous told the magazine that Albert and Charlene’s marriage is strong “Their marriage has endured many storms and attacks over the years and will no doubt continue to,” the source said She’s determined to get stronger and recover so she can return to her husband Shortly before Charlène Lynette Wittstock married Prince Albert II of Monaco Now photographer Julian Lennon has revealed what the bride confided in him on the day of the civil ceremony Charlène Lynette Wittstock married Prince Albert II of Monaco in a civil ceremony The church wedding took place the following day Before the now 46-year-old walked down the aisle and became Princess of Monaco, Julian Lennon was allowed to photograph her during the preparations The bride experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during these two days, as the wedding was to change her life completely she was sitting in a hotel room surrounded by several assistants Wittstock turned to Lennon and spoke about her fears and doubts "She just sat there and stared in the mirror, stunned," Lennon recalls in the business magazine Forbes."Then she turned to me and said: 'Jules, I don't know if I can do this'." As the eldest son of Beatles musician John Lennon was not clear what Charlène was doubting at that moment, he asked again: "What are you talking about?" Charlène's answer: "I can't. I'm not sure I can get the photos right. There are too many distractions." So the former South African professional swimmer wasn't doubting her future husband or love in general, but the many commitments surrounding the wedding were getting to her. Julian Lennon, who is also a friend of Charlène's and has lived in Monaco for over 30 years, tried to reassure the bride. "This is a historic moment, just let me be a fly on the wall," he said. After that, he just stayed in the background, giving the bride her space but continuing to photograph her. Lennon took hundreds of photos that afternoon. He particularly liked a picture of Charlène looking melancholically into the mirror. Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an Ein Beitrag geteilt von Julian Lennon (@julespicturepalace) This picture now also adorns his first photo book "Life's fragile moments", which was recently published by TeNeues. "I cropped the pictures of Charlène in a certain way and thought: Oh my God, there it is. It's Princess Grace, it's the 1950s," says Lennon of his vision. "So I converted all the images to black and white." He continues: "The photos look like they were taken a long time ago and not just before Charlène became Princess of Monaco." It was not until five years later, in December 2005, that the two reconnected in Cape Town. “On New Year’s Day, he officially asked me out,” says Charlene. “Our first public appearance was at the Torino Olympic Games in February 2006.” As unfamiliar as it was to become part of a royal entourage, she says, “Albert put me at ease. It was clear that we shared the same passions; we both became very emotional watching the athletes. Sport is the common denominator of our lives.” “Finding my fashion feet has certainly been the biggest challenge,” she says, remembering her “trial by fire” at Monaco’s 2007 Red Cross Ball. “‘I was literally a fish out of water. I thought it was all fun, fun, fun, and didn’t give my outfit any thought. I had been playing beach volleyball all day, painted my nails red, and threw on a green dress. I thought I looked great at the time, but looking back, I realize that my debut into Monaco society should have been better executed!” Grown to such an extent that Charlene has plans to inaugurate a Monaco Fashion Week. “I want to make Monaco one of the fashion capitals of the world. It would be wonderful to team up with some of my international fashion friends, like Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren, and get the place buzzing with energy again,” she says. “Grace Kelly forged a link between Monaco and the movie world, and I would like to create a strong bond between Monaco and the fashion community.” Tonight, however, she is off duty for once. Savoring the last days of her single life, she holds court in a black Anne Fontaine leather corset and skintight pants. Kabbalah rabbi Yehuda Berg, a trusted confidant, joins her to celebrate with Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher in tow. Harvey Weinstein pops by to say hello, and Charlene, like many a bachelorette before her, sinks some tequilas. The content that you're looking for is unavailable You might find what you are looking for by using the search function on our homepage Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker reportedly attempted to escape multiple times to her native South Africa before her wedding to Prince Albert II this weekend According to Sunday reports in French newspapers, Wittstock tried "to flee three times"  and first sought refuge in her country's embassy in Paris when she was in town for a wedding dress fitting in May After her passport was allegedly taken away from her she was persuaded by senior Palace officials to move on with her wedding, French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche reports. But she was said to still be doubtful and tried to escape again later in May during Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix The newspaper also alleges that Wittstock had her passport confiscated again by Monaco officials just last week while she was en route to Nice airport where she was attempting to board a one-way flight to South Africa Her second passport confiscation was reportedly confirmed by senior police officials to Le Figaro newspaper The reports come amidst rumors that Albert fathered another illegitimate child The prince already has two children out of wedlock: Alexandre A chief advisor to Albert at the Monaco Palace said the recent allegations were false and "completely crazy." "Please believe me, none of this is true, and we think it comes from utter jealousy," Christiane Stahl told People magazine last Tuesday She was never upset and never wanted to stop the wedding." Wittstock and Albert moved forward with their nuptials and were married Friday in a civil ceremony held in the throne room of the prince's palace in Monte Carlo The couple exchanged vows once again a day later in glamorous Roman-Catholic ceremony with guests including supermodel Naomi Campbell The newlyweds are said to be heading today for their honeymoon in South Africa, where they will reportedly be staying at a luxury resort in the seaside town of Umhlanga. Copyright ©2025 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Michael Wittstock calls his daughter "tough" and says Monaco's princess will "come out much stronger" after a trying year Lanford Beard is the former Senior TV Editor at PEOPLE. She worked at the brand from 2015 through 2024. Princess Charlene of Monaco is back to her sparkling self and thriving in her royal role after returning to her official duties in 2022, following an extended period of absence in South Africa and then in Switzerland as she recovered from ‘exhaustion’.  King Constantine II of Greece’s funeral: European royals gather to bid a final farewell to their friend and relativeBy Stephanie Bridger-LinningRead MoreTogether with her husband Charlene has made a number of high profile royal engagements Recently seen at the Princess Grace Awards in New York last November dressed in a vibrant floral gown as she joined her dapper husband to welcome guests to the gala held at 583 Park Avenue However it seems there might be another reason for Princess Charlene’s return to her former radiant form The parents of Charlene: Michael Wittstock and Lynette Humberstone A dedicated fashion blog ranked the value of new clothing donned by 19 royal women in 2022  ‘It has made the world of difference,’ said a palace source in Monte Carlo who has known Albert and Charlene since before their wedding. ‘The Wittstocks have moved into a house that’s just a few minutes’ drive away from Charlene, and they meet all the time. They make her feel safe and secure, and remind her of the far more carefree life she enjoyed in South Africa before becoming a Monaco princess.’ Princess Charlene of Monaco, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Prince Jacques of Monaco and Princess Gabriella of Monaco attend the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament 2022 in Monaco Charlene's brother, Gareth Wittstock, 42, first moved to Monaco to ‘make sure his sister was being looked after’ a decade ago, and her second brother, 40-year-old Sean Wittstock, is ‘on the phone every day from South Africa,’ said the source. Another Monaco-based source told the Mail: ‘She is inspired by Catholicism, and it has helped her through some very dark times.’ In a joint statement with her husband, Charlene said Archbishop Barsi had ‘accompanied the Sovereign Family, spiritually and pastorally, during the most significant moments in the Principality's recent history.’ The Queen’s très chic tours: a look back at Her Majesty’s chicest style moments in FranceBy Stephanie Bridger-LinningRead MoreIt comes after Charlene spoke of the important role family has played in her life Princess Charlene delivered a heartwarming address at the family room of the Prince's Palace Surrounded by a picture of Princess Grace and her young twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella she opened up about the role her family have played in her life; ‘My family and those I love are my rock,’ she said NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Just days after attending the wedding of Sweden's Princess Victoria Monaco's Prince Albert II announced he will be walking down the aisle himself The royal palace said Wednesday that the prince is engaged to marry South Africa's Charlene Wittstock Pictures: Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert IIPictures: The Swedish Royal Wedding Here are a few things you should know about her: Wittstock represented South Africa at the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney where she competed in the women's 4x100m medley Laetitia Pierrat, a palace spokeswoman, said Albert met Wittstock in 2000 when she was visiting Monaco for a swimming competition, and the couple made their official debut at the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. According to People magazine she has lived in the principality since she unofficially ended her training in 2007 She's following in Grace Kelly's footsteps The couple's wedding will be the first marriage of a reigning prince since Kelly married Albert's father, Prince Rainier III She's ending the prince's notorious bachelorhood While his father's reign was defined by his marriage to Princess Grace, Albert was known for being a longtime bachelor -- so much so that Parliament in 2002 changed the constitution to allow one of his sisters' sons to take the throne if he never produces an heir. He fathered a son and a daughterout of wedlock, but neither can assume the throne. 5. She's been preparing for her royal role. Colombe Pringle, executive editor of the French celebrity magazine "Point de Vue," which covers Albert's private life regularly, said Wittlock has spent her years with the prince preparing for new role. "She has learned a lot, she has done a good personal job to fit with her job, there are many years of learning there behind her," Pringle said. "Now it's a question of involvement and engagement in her new role. We'll see how she does. She really wanted the job." More on Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock: tips and exclusive itineraries in Florence A charity gala evening organised by the Consulate of the Principality of Monaco in Florence to celebrate the 160th anniversary of its foundation The event took place yesterday evening in the Salone de' Cinquecento Prince Albert II of Monaco and His Serene Highness Charlène Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Florence Part of the proceeds raised during the evening will be donated to the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco a global non-profit organisation founded by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2006 and committed to promoting Planetary Health for present and future generations by co-creating initiatives and supporting hundreds of projects across the Planet and to the Andrea Bocelli Foundation - Ente Filantropico whose aim is to help people in difficulty due to illness poverty and social marginalisation by promoting and supporting national and international projects that encourage the overcoming of such barriers and the full expression of one's potential A contribution will also be donated to the Istituto degli Innocenti in Florence among others: the Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella the Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco in Italy H.E Mme Anne Eastwood and the Ambassador of Italy in the Principality of Monaco H.E as well as numerous personalities also from the Principality of Monaco Chiara Nardella - SAS Principe - SAS Principessa - Dario Nardella - Alessandro Giusti - Elisa Giusti The event was an opportunity to present other initiatives related to the celebrations of the 160th anniversary of the Consulate of the Principality of Monaco in Florence namely the creation of an ad hoc philatelic cancellation and the publication of a booklet on the history of Monaco's consular representation on Florentine territory realised thanks to the precious contribution of journalist Piero Ceccatelli The 160th anniversary of the Consulate of Monaco in Florence also coincides with another important anniversary for the city the centenary of the birth of the well-known Florentine artist Silvano 'Nano' Campeggi a particularly significant moment took place during the evening: the handing-over ceremony of some works by 'Nano' Campeggi to H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco depicting portraits of Grace Kelly from some of his most famous films (including High Society The delivery was made directly from Elena Campeggi has wed South Africa's Charlene Wittstock in a long-awaited civil ceremony that transformed the one-time Olympic swimmer into the Princess of Monaco Charlene succeeds Hollywood beauty Grace Kelly who wed Albert's father Prince Rainier III in 1956 and died in a car accident nearly three decades ago Monegasques swarmed the plaza outside the palace in the hope of catching a glimpse of the newlyweds The two will hold a more elaborate religious ceremony and wedding gala Saturday 07.02.2021 by // Leave a Comment when Prince Albert II married his longtime girlfriend in a glittering ceremony at the Palais Princier we’ve got all the details on Charlene’s wedding dresses as well as the jewels she wore for both the ceremony and reception While previous Grimaldi weddings had been held at Monaco’s grand cathedral this princely wedding was held outdoors in the courtyard of the palace Charlene arrived for the ceremony on the arm of her father. She wore a gown by Armani Privé, made of ivory duchesse silk and embroidered with freesias, orchids and lilies of the valley, to match the flowers in her bridal bouquet. Vogue reported “The dress took three seamstresses 2,500 hours to make and featured a five-meter-long train adorned with 40,000 Swarovski crystals and 20,000 mother-of-pearl teardrops.” Charlene called the dress Giorgio Armani was present for the ceremony “My uncle wanted to make sure the dress was timeless and sophisticated Charlene is blessed with an amazing body and spectacular shoulders The shade of ivory we chose suits her skin so well.” She added “It was such a huge responsibility that we actually made two dresses just in case something happened to one of them.” The couple said their vows in front of a crowd that included family The Associated Press reported that the couple exchanged “18 carat white gold platinum rings by Cartier,” adding “As Albert slipped the ring onto her finger which she has so far worn only for photoshoots never for a public appearance.) The floral brooches were Charlene’s only jewels; she didn’t wear earrings on the wedding day The diamond floral ornaments loaned by Princess Caroline are from the collection of the late Princess Charlotte of Monaco The jewels have been worn by Princess Caroline in various forms over the years for events like the Red Cross Ball and National Day Gala The details of the diamond ornaments could be seen more clearly when Charlene’s veil was pulled back The naturalistic floral sprays were placed on both sides of Charlene’s elegant chignon the couple left the palace courtyard in a shower of rose petals where Grimaldi brides traditionally leave their bridal bouquets as an offering after their wedding ceremonies Charlene was moved to tears during the emotional visit to the chapel the newlyweds and their privileged guests were treated to a special dinner on the terraces of the Opera Garnier The meal was created by celebrity chef Alain Ducasse A fireworks show followed the multi-course dinner Albert and Charlene arrived for the meal after an outfit change Albert’s new wedding ring was front and center as they stepped on to the terrace Charlene had changed into another Armani Privé creation. The fun, flirty gown featured tiers of silk chiffon embroidered with Swarovski crystals in shades of gold and platinum. The outfit change was prompted by comfort, Charlene told Vogue: “The wedding dress is pretty heavy so I wanted to change into something light soft and easy to move in for the evening.” She also swapped out the antique diamond floral brooches for a new piece of jewelry: the diamond aigrette created for her by Lorenz Baumer The modern tiara was another of her wedding presents from Albert The small tiara features large pear-shaped diamonds at the tips of thin white gold strands and is designed to mimic the spray rising off a cresting wave The maritime design was a nod both to Monaco’s seaside location and Charlene’s history as an Olympic swimmer The tiara can be worn in two ways: flat against the head, as Charlene wore it for the reception, and reversed, so that the diamonds lift more in a “rising spray” effect. Charlene wore it in the second configuration during a fitting, which was filmed and can be seen here the wedding reception has been Charlene’s only public appearance in the tiara I’m very much hoping we’ll see her try out this piece again in the future 05.19.2021 by // Leave a Comment held during the Cannes Film Festival ten years ago today The princess-to-be was elegant in diamonds and a dove gray gown by Giorgio Armani for the gala The off-the-shoulder silhouette of the gown was a preview of the style she would wear for her religious wedding ceremony a few weeks later in July 2011 Her wedding dress was also an Armani creation The couple posed with fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld at the gala. He, too, would play a significant role in their wedding festivities: he designed the pale blue outfit worn by Charlene for the civil wedding ceremony and the concert that followed Charlene’s look was all about classic elegance She chose a sleek pair of earrings encrusted with diamonds Diamond bracelets sparkled on her right wrist coordinating beautifully with both the gray gown and the small silver clutch bag she carried most everyone was fixated on one of Charlene’s accessories in particular: her incredible diamond engagement ring features a large pear-shaped diamond set in gray-toned gold neither the prospective bride nor groom betrayed any nerves about their upcoming nuptials Both also offered lots in the gala’s charity auction raising a million euros for AIDS research with their offers of a chance to play tennis with the prince and a private swimming lesson from his Olympian fiancée Categories // sparkling spotlight 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 head of the tiny principality since his father died in 2005 will flaunt his eco credentials by staging the procession of the newlyweds in an open-top electric Lexus 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 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 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 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 who have run the enclave for seven centuries are the protectors of Monaco's special status "It's a question of life and death," said Francois Caviglioli who has covered the principality for decades for Nouvel Observateur The stability of the prince's family is crucial for Monaco's numerous banks and its financial sector which craves security Then there's the image factor and tourism: lots of Europeans deprived of their own monarchies descend on Monaco to see what it's all about." Many hope the wedding will be a boost after Monaco's gloomy start to the year was last month humiliatingly relegated to France's League 2; the financial crisis has sobered the mood and even the famous roulette and baccarat tables of the Casino Monte-Carlo fell silent over Easter as croupiers went on strike over pay Whether Wittstock can return Monaco to its golden era when the American star and Hitchcock muse Grace Kelly became crown princess remains to be seen Prince Albert first spotted her when she was 22 and competing in a Monaco swimming competition a former member of Monaco's Olympic bobsleigh team When injury ended her swimming career 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 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 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 marrying and divorcing her bodyguard before marrying and divorcing a trapeze artist with her trademark Grace Kelly-style blonde chignon has rejected the obvious physical comparisons with her husband's late mother says she should not be compared to Kate Middleton either "Charlene comes from a very humble background in South Africa 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." The Semi-Final 1 of the Individual Grasstrack European Championship was held at Wittstock It was a spectacular meeting with lot of overtakes and in really nice Considering that the meeting was taken over on short notice the organisation was smooth and well prepared and the event had a duration of 2 h 12 min The track was well prepared and all the riders had a good chance to qualify for the final round in Tayac (France) – which was possible only for the first 9 riders | Copyright 2025 FIM Europe | Terms of use - Privacy statement | a clan that has sometimes seemed better at scandal than leadership Even if the allegations made by the press are found to be true there's no question that in many respects the glitzy nuptials were far removed from the kind of forced marriage that prompted the law banning it in Britain in 2008 But marrying into a super-rich family should not be regarded as a fair exchange for a woman being treated like chattel If the allegations of her attempted flight are true Wittstock would be far from the first woman to have had an urge to cancel her wedding plans But without the future of a royal principality riding on our decision – if Prince Albert doesn't have so-called legitimate heir himself there's a possibility that the sovereignty of the principality will revert back to France – most of us have the agency to do so without being stopped by the government But despite some differences in scale, we can sympathise with the supposed plight of the now-Princess Charlene. Our more mundane concerns can still cause us to make the wrong decisions when it comes to wedding plans that we've come to regret. Fear of the ire of a mother-in-law of the embarrassment of returning gifts or the prospect of paying a catering bill for a wedding meal that no one will eat has driven many a reluctant bride or groom down the aisle into the arms of the person destined to become their future ex-husband or wife the public performance of love in the form of a wedding becomes a juggernaut that overwhelms the actual relationship about which the love is being performed it can be a trap: one in which no one deserves to be caught how poor or how frequently screen-printed on tea towels they are Which is why it would be unconscionable for any state to interfere in any individual's freedom to choose whom they do marry – or don't If you have a subject you would like to see covered by Comment is free, please visit our You tell us page When Princess Charlene married Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011 Once best known as an Olympic swimmer representing South Africa she was reintroduced to the world as a princess According to the official Monaco royal website she was born Charlene Lynette Wittstock on January 25 she moved to South Africa with her parents and her younger brothers There she began forging a career as a swimmer, taking home several awards at the 1997 South African championship Charlene represented South Africa at the Sydney Olympics her future husband Albert was there as a spectator But the pair wouldn't officially cross paths until she visited Monaco for a swimming competition later that year. From there their relationship blossomed into a marriage which was followed by the birth of their twins marrying into a royal family came with certain lifestyle adjustments including the way Charlene dressed in public From her days as an Olympic athlete to being one of the most recognized princesses around the world today here's a closer look at Charlene's style evolution She was photographed in South Africa in a laid-back look that consisted of gray sweatpants The elegant evening look was a world away from Charlene's previous ensembles It featured a knee-length slit with lace detailing She paired the gown with silver drop earrings and a matching clutch For her first appearance at Monaco's annual Red Cross Ball, Charlene wore a sparkly, semi-sheer, backless ball gown that she borrowed from a friend, according to her Tatler interview in 2010 Charlene wasn't exactly fond of her choice "I looked like a Christmas tree," she said "'I was used to living in a swimsuit and totally clueless about fashion I had been playing volleyball all day on the beach and didn't think about getting ready until late in the afternoon," Charlene added In a separate interview with Vogue before her 2011 wedding Charlene also remembered this outfit as one of her least favorite "Finding my fashion feet has certainly been the biggest challenge," she said "I realize that my debut into Monaco society should have been better executed!" She wore the casual ensemble during a visit to Richards Bay in South Africa to teach kids swimming lessons strapless bustier top over asymmetric suit pants that featured a slit on the left leg She accessorized with a sheer black scarf and a black clutch Charlene's sleeveless dress featured a daring neckline and colorful jewels A matching biker glove and a small black clutch completed the ensemble The flowy blue-and-green gown was designed by Akris, according to People It was backless and featured an elegant halter neck The official portraits also showed off her sparkling engagement ring, which featured a three-carat, pear-cut diamond surrounded by smaller round jewels, Brides reported was both regal and reflective of Charlene's sporty aesthetic "It's feminine and keeps with tradition yet has a little twist that reflects my personal style," Charlene told Vogue "I thought it was a nice change to go for trousers instead of a skirt especially since I'm an athlete and have always kept my clothes clean and simple." The designer told Vogue that the off-the-shoulder gown — which was made of Duchesse silk and silk organza — was covered in 40,000 Swarovski crystals silk tulle veil that took around 100 hours to embroider The sleeveless Ralph Lauren gown featured a ruffled halter neck and a small train, according to The Cut The princess paired the unique jacket with a black turtleneck Charlene's shimmery, sleeveless pantsuit — which was designed by Versace, according to W Magazine — featured semi-sheer Charlene wore the bold dress with a black leather biker jacket and silver stilettos She kept the top buttons of her white shirt open and wore her suit jacket casually over her shoulders Charlene's hairstyle was met with mixed reactions following the annual Christmas event in Monaco, according to People the outlet reported that she told the French magazine Point de Vue that she didn't care for anyone else's opinion "It seems that it has provoked all kinds of comments But it turns out that I wanted it for a long time People reported that the unique jumpsuit was designed by Terrence Bray It featured a wide neckline and bell sleeves According to People, Charlene's eye-catching white coat was designed by one of her go-to brands The princess paired it with a black turtleneck and a wide-brimmed hat made by British hatmaker Stephen Jones The festive dress was designed by DidierAngelo, according to Town and Country. Charlene coordinated the gown with her lipstick which were all similar shades of scarlet red England's new princess looks set to attract ever more attention as the tour moves to California as images were beamed back of her every outfit and move a tale of another princess offered an interesting counterpoint Pictures of Monaco's implausibly named Princess Charlene weeping through her wedding were an unsettling reminder that the reality of marrying into the European monarchy can be rather darker and more coercive Princess Diana's ghost was hovering over both "princess events" possibly conjured up by scary photofit accompanying a recent Newsweek article by Tina Brown Brown's article asked what Diana would have been like at 50 the article ought to have asked other questions: why is our culture still so in thrall to the myth of the perfect princess and the happily-ever-after marriage Why have we forgotten what that did to her The pull of this myth has been on full view during Kate and William's Canadian trip Over a thousand photographers and journalists have followed them a level of attention for a royal tour unseen since Diana's heyday One can only imagine what the famously jealous Prince Charles whose tours command only a handful of journalists And while there is a great deal of interest in Prince Willliam – still young(ish) and still carrying the affection that was extended to him after his mother died – it is the new princess (yes but a princess in every other sense) who really excites the media and the public The comments of the crowds turning out to greet her are revealing They enthuse about how "sweet" and "gracious" she is Children interviewed about talking to "a real-life princess" said she was "kind" and "beautiful" the requirements on a real-life princess are pretty minimal: she has to have had the perfect wedding and then she has to look beautiful although one can't help noticing how thin she is and wondering about the strain of such attention William exudes enjoyment of his wife's popularity Charles's failure to understand the public interest in the role of princess and future queen was just one of the many things he didn't grasp about his wife Hereditary royal power and privilege is problematic in an egalitarian democratic society and royalty only survives through its symbolic potency that symbolism has been located in the female royals A female royal can represent power that is politically unthreatening embodying ideals such as family stability and continuity – as the Queen has done female royals are also carrying other expectations that they should be stylish and have the perfect body Royalty needs these modern connotations and its female stars, but it is in fact a deeply old-fashioned patriarchal institution, positively medieval in the case of Monaco suddenly becoming the centre of attention – idolised in public This dark side of the fairytale was conjured up by images of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene's nuptials But while Diana's were expressed in private to her sister who dismissed them as "too late" since her "face was already on the tea towels" Rumours had swirled in the European press that after reports of yet another paternity case against Albert – and this time a child allegedly conceived during Charlene's relationship with him – she had tried to run away three times back to South Africa Her weeping at the vows looked more like distress than sentiment Prince Albert's failure to comfort his bride brought to mind Prince Charles's public indifference to Diana as did later pictures showing Charlene grimacing at Albert's kiss "With her head ever so slightly bowed who was raised thousands of miles away in a humble South African family looked like she had been born to the role." Overlooking the bride's apparent distress the magazine drooled over the details – the dress "There were gasps from the attendees as they took in her breathtaking appearance – her gorgeous Armani dress which was gathered at the nape with a jewelled headpiece." While we expect overblown nonsense from Hello (and can expect the marital disaster that usually follows) it sheds light on what is at stake in the modern fantasy: there must be a "fairytale" setting; her designer dress hair and makeup must be perfect; there must be celebrities; her prince must be dashing; she must be thin The aim of a royal wedding is to become "iconic" (Hello!'s words again) Hanging over their wedding was the ultimate modern-day iconic royal wedding: that of Albert's own mother who set the standard with her mix of style Charlene scored well: the outsider from a humble background who through her physique (she was an Olympic swimmer) captured the heart of ancient monarchy It was only her tears that suggested her own unconscious recognised that far from a fairytale writing about the persistent appeal of the princess fantasy The princess fairytale has "vindication" as a theme Sleeping Beauty – are all females who are lost or mistreated; their beauty remaining unacknowledged until the special prince recognises them "These fairytale heroines are hidden from view either locked up in a tower or disguised by soot and rags The story promises vindication – one day you will be discovered and understood and seen to be special." Maybe that is why every bride wants her own royal wedding: it is the supreme moment of recognition or the bride for how much she can look like a princess In the commercialised environment of the contemporary wedding more and more brides are aspiring to this symbolism Kate and William's wedding gave it a huge boost To the bewilderment of a generation of feminists girls throughout the country snapped up princess dolls and tiaras while wedding days have became ever-more elaborate "princess for the day" fantasies Katie Price turned up to hers in a pumpkin coach and even cool Kate Moss went for "fairytale" surrounding herself by Arthur Rackham-style fairy bridesmaids We were reminded in a humorous way recently how far these fantasies have invaded even the humblest homes "No one gets married in a castle," wrote the mother-in-law from hell celebrity-style behaviour and it would be most ladylike and gracious to lower your sights and have a modest wedding Given the event has assumed such importance it was all the more dramatic that Princess Charlene so spectacularly blew hers She had found her prince wasn't a fairytale prince but an all-too-real one before the event – rather than after it Standing in her glorious dress in the glorious setting it was a dramatic embodiment of the price a woman might have to pay in being inserted into monarchy to renew and modernise it The event may have recognised her as special enough to be a princess but had it recognised her need for personal happiness planning their elaborate settings and fussing over details should ask a similar question; is this event recognising me or my ability to become a princess for a day The ghost at every fairytale princess's wedding surely has to be Diana saying "remember me" After two days and EUR 20m of princely wedding festivities in the tiny Mediterranean tax haven of Monaco one image has come to define the new crown-princess just married to a prince 20 years her senior emerged from the royal chapel where she laid her bouquet with top lip wobbling and a tear rolling down her cheek Palace officials of the principality are still trying to limit the damage done by the rumour that Charlene had tried to flee and was stopped at Nice airport with a one-way ticket to South Africa After a palace lawyer threatened an injunction against a French magazine that reported the story sources involved in the wedding planning accepted that there had been some kind of "lovers' tiff" The French press is trying to establish whether a woman had come forward alleging the 53-year-old prince had fathered another illegitimate child (he has already acknowledged a son and a daughter) With no confirmation of a new love-child story celebrity magazines have sniffed around other rumours that Charlene tried to flee several times in recent months Charlene's background is far from Albert's mother media-savvy Hollywood star when she married her prince Charlene could now be subsumed into the myth of the "curse of the rock" in which the love lives of the Grimaldis are said to be fated with pain and suffering her daughter Caroline lost a husband in a speedboat crash and Stephanie has suffered through broken marriages and divorce.) may well metamorphose into not just the usual emblem of charity causes but a fashion symbol who could introduce Monaco's first fashion week been coached by Karl Lagerfeld and has started designing her own outfits is to provide an heir – preferably male – to ensure that Monaco keeps its special status under another generation of the Grimaldi dynasty This article was amended on Saturday 9 July 2011 Kate Middleton's surname was spelt incorrectly SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco stepped into the shoes of one of the most legendary women in history bearing her title and serving Monaco as their first lady just as she did Nearly six years following the succession of Prince Albert II to his father’s throne Charlene Lynette Wittstock married and became royalty Charlene Lynette Wittstock was born to Michael Wittstock and Lynette in Bulawayo would relocate to South Africa in 1989 when Charlene was only 11-years-old The Protestant Wittstock family came from a very strong German heritage from which Charlene’s great-great-grandparents emigrated to South Africa to escape hardship in 1861 Charlene would attend the Tom Newby Primary School located in Benoni Charlene’s mother was previously a very accomplished athlete In some way following in her mother’s footsteps the future princess took to the pool herself and would go on to become a successful Olympian Then Charlene Wittstock’s Olympic fame would come in the year 2000 when she would place 5th as a part of the women’s South African medley swim team she clenched medals in both the All-African Games in 1999 Commonwealth Games in 1998 and again in 2002 Charlene’s swimming career would result in two silver medals and three gold medals total at the FINA Short Course World Championships Charlene completed the 200-metre breaststroke which resulted in her sixth-place finish South Africa’s University of Pretoria was quickly graced with her presence soon after when she decided to leave the Seagulls There she joined the Tuks Swimming Club without taking part in any classes But the year 2005 would see her return to Durban In April 2007 following her connecting with University of Pretoria swim coach Brannislav Ivkovic Charlene became South Africa’s champion once again in the 50-metre backstroke which brought her a third-place finish to Australia and Brazil By 2008 and the dawn of the Beijing Summer Olympic events Wittstock saw her career coming to a close following an injury With her plans to let this be her last event of competition her hopes were dashed when she did not qualify for the Beijing events Shortly before her wedding to Prince Albert II Charlene announced her plans to become a global ambassador for the Special Olympics citing its abilities to empower others in their lives and make a difference Charlene Wittstock first met Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2000 when the Prince watched the young athlete engaged in a swimming competition alongside the South African team He secured a date with her and allegedly had a wonderful time together Despite the Prince’s list of long allegations and revelations that deemed him the “Playboy Prince,” the match of Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert seemed impeccable from a distant view The couple shared passions in areas of environment preservation and Olympic pride Following the public announcement of their relationship at the Olympic opening ceremony of 2006 the couple moved in together and eventually announced their engagement in June 2010 Many sources cited the possibility of trouble for the couple due to the Prince’s past and drew numerous conclusions that the princess-to-be was experiencing doubts that were leading her into a prospective escape to her homeland in South Africa Charlene Wittstock proceeded with the wedding converting from being Protestant to committing to the Roman Catholic faith shortly before the nuptials although it was not required of her she was also a fledgeling student of the French language Many have cited Charlene as having the fashion flair of Diana Princess of Wales married with that of the grace of her predecessor Grace Kelly Princess Charlene embraces her public eye for fashion while maintaining her life as a royal With an eye and advocacy for lines such as Armani the Princess is not ashamed to show her passion for the fashion industry Princess Charlene has defied the naysayers presenting to the public eye a sense of family and commitment to the greater good of not only the people of Monaco but to the people of her homeland in South Africa Princess Charlene has also become a mother giving birth to twins Princess Gabriella (the older) and Hereditary Prince Jacques (heir to the throne) on 10 December 2014