According to the newspaper, Monaco-Matin, 22 reigning royal families from all over the world have confirmed their attendance to the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco on July 1 and 2, 2011 “There will be 22 heads of states or represented, and 22 families ruling royal or princely families…”

These confirmations were, well, confirmed by Paul Masseron, the Government Minister for the Interior in Monaco.  Furthermore, it was announced that, “…French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni have been invited. But, the Elysee has not yet sent an answer” said Paul Masseron.   Unfortunately, Mr. Masseron did not state which royal families accepted their invitations; however, we do know that the crown princely couple from Norway, H.R.H. Prince Willem-Alexander of Oranje and H.R.H. Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, and the entire Swedish royal family have confirmed their attendance to the princely wedding.

Finally, Mr. Masseron noted that sixteen non-reigning royal families will also attend including Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (source).

Interesting.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here. 

Source: Monaco Matin  Photo courtesy of: Bild.de

As you know there are only three and a half months until the big day in lovely Monaco. And, as you know, some detailed information about the wedding was released to the public a couple of weeks ago whereupon it was announced that Lexus would be the official sponsor/partner of the princely wedding.

Well, now it seems that another mega car company will be a sponsor/partner in the wedding. Who is it you may ask?  It’s BMW!

Yup, the famous German automotive company has the supreme honor of providing a myriad of lovely luxury limousines to “…carry the High personalities invited by the Principality during the festivities of Saturday the 2nd of July.” (Mariage Princier Monaco 2011)

Unlike the Lexus Hybrid (the LS600h) car that will whiz H.S.H. Prince Albert II and his bride, Charlene Wittstock, through the streets of Monaco after the nuptials on July 2, 2011, the BMW limos are not environmentally friendly.  Oh quel dommage.

Source: Mariage Princier Monaco 2011 Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe

As you know the wedding invitations for the upcoming princely nuptials in Monaco between H.S.H. Prince Albert II  and Miss Charlene Wittstock were sent out a month or so ago.

Currently, several royals including T.R.H.s Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, T.R.H.s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, and Sheikha Mozah of Qatar have confirmed their attendance. Moreover, several politicians have also confirmed; unfortunately, one prominent head of state will not attend.

It was announced this afternoon that the President of Switzerland, Micheline Calmy-Rey, declined to attend the princely wedding.

According to the Swiss newspaper, Swiss Info, the “…Ambassador to France and Monaco will attend in her place.”

To read the rest of the article in its entirety please click the link:  Article

Source: Swiss Info Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Bauer Griffin

With less than four months to go before the princely wedding in Monaco between H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Miss Charlene Wittstock, new information about the nuptials has been released.

First, the official website for the Palais Princier de Monaco has been redesigned (it looks a hellva lot better.)

Second, they decided to add more detailed information about the wedding including lots of pretty photos (even though there already is a separate website for the princely wedding come July 1 and 2, 2011 which you can view here) of the couple.

Per the Palais Princier de Monaco:

FRIDAY 1st JULY

5.00pm: The civil wedding will take place in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace. It will be celebrated by Mr Philippe Narmino, President of the Council of State. Mr Philippe Narmino is the Ruling Family’s Registrar.
The Monegasques will be able to follow the ceremony on giant screens located on Palace Square. The Square will be accessible to Monegasques and their families from 4pm onwards.

5.50pm: After the ceremony, the newly-wedded couple will appear on the balcony of the Salon des Glaces in order to salute the Monegasques.

6.00pm: A cocktail buffet will be offered to the Monegasques on Palace Square. The Mayor of Monaco will present the gift of the Monegasques to the couple.

The Mairie of Monaco will send the invitations to the Monegasques during the second half of April.

8.00pm: The residents of the Principality will be invited to a reception on the Port.

10.30pm: A large concert will be offered by the newly-wedded couple on the Port. Jean-Michel Jarre will present a unique sound and light show.  A very large audience is expected. To this effect, the SNCF will increase its train services and the car parks will be free.

SATURDAY 2nd JULY

5.00pm: The religious wedding will take place in the Main Courtyard of the Prince’s Palace. Miss Wittstock will walk arm in arm with her father along a red carpet, from the Caserne des Carabiniers to the altar. Mass will be celebrated by Monseigneur Barsi. The gates of the Palace will remain open in order to allow around 3500 seated persons to follow the ceremony, which will be broadcast on giant screens on the Palace Square.

6.30pm: The couple will leave the Palace for the Sainte Dévote church in order for the Princess to leave her bouquet.
The public will be able to gather all along the procession route in order to congratulate the couple.  The procession will follow the avenue de la Porte-Neuve, avenue du Port and the boulevard Albert Ier, and will return to the Palace following the same route.   Giant screens will be installed in the Principality in order to enable the widest audience possible to follow the religious ceremony and the procession of the couple.

9.00pm: The official dinner, which will be followed by a ball, will take place at the Oceanographic museum.

Midnight: A fireworks display will conclude this dinner, which will also have various styles of music.
***Other information***

Friday 1st July and Saturday 2nd July will both be public holidays. However, in order to fulfil the expectations of the public, the restaurants and shops of the Principality will be able to remain open.  Exemptions will be examined for shops of over 30 employees.
Miss Wittstock and the Catholic religion

Miss Charlene Wittstock, who professes Christian faith, has been admitted through a free and personal decision into full communion in the Catholic church.

Wedding gifts

For Their wedding, the princely couple do not wish to receive gifts but request that donations be made to foundations and associations. The allocation of the donations received on the accounts specially opened to this effect will be communicated in September.

Wedding souvenirs

These will be available at the start of May.

Lexus — partner of the wedding

Through his involvement in the protection of the environment, the Sovereign has chosen a hybrid vehicle of the Lexus brand to ride to the Church of Sainte Dévote (the Patron Saint of the Principality), where the Princess will leave her bouquet. By a Sovereign Decision of 5th January 2011, the Prince granted the title of Official Supplier to this car manufacturer.

So there you have it.  You are now up to date with the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco.  And, I must say that I am happy to hear that the couple have decided to ask their guests to donate money or whatever it may be to charitable foundations.  Also, I am happy to hear that the Prince will be driven in a Hybrid car after the ceremony to the Sainte Dévote church.  However, if Prince Albert deems himself so environmentally conscious then why in the hell is he having a massive fireworks bruhaha?

To view the redesigned Palais Princier de Monaco website as well as to read more info about the wedding please click the link Palais.mc

You can watch the wedding live online here.

Source: Palais Princier de Monaco Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Handout/Getty Images Europe