Tag Archives: Charlene Wittstock

Happy Birthday to Charlene Wittstock: The Future Princess of Monaco

January 25, 2011 Alexandra 3 Comments

On January 25, 2011, Miss Charlene Wittstock will celebrate her 33rd birthday.

Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa the 5’11” blonde would become a swimming star in her native homeland. According to the Palais Princier de Monaco, Charlene, “…developed a passion for swimming at a very early age. In 1996, at 18, she won the South African Championship.”

The dedicated and competitive Miss Wittstock was chosen to be apart of the South African Olympic swimming team. Overall, the South African swimming team came in fifth place. Individually, Miss Wittstock never won an Olympic gold medal. However, at the 2000 Marenostrum International Swim Meet in Monaco she did win gold and she gained the attention of one Prince Albert II who was, “…presiding over the international competition.”

Soon, the 5’11” blonde and the Sovereign Prince of Monaco soon began to date.

Seriously.

Six years later she made her first official appearance alongside the Prince at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Soon, the couple were attached at the hip… seen together constantly from official events such as the Monaco Red Cross Ball, the Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco Film Festival, and the Swedish royal wedding.

On June 23, 2010, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco announced to the world that he had asked Charlene to marry him. Of course she said, yes, then he placed a massive diamond ring on her finger and official engagement photos were taken.

It is unknown how Miss Wittstock will spend the day (though she will attend the 35th Annual International Circus Festival in the evening), but what ever she does I am sure she will have a fabulous day with her family, friends, and her fiancé.

So there you have it! Happy Birthday, Charlene! 🙂

Here are some facts about Charlene Wittstock per the Palais Princier de Monaco

Growing up in Africa heightened her awareness of problems linked to childhood.
Ms. Wittstock gave swimming lessons to underprivileged children throughout her career.
She has frequently accompanied His Serene Highness on his travels to support charitable works.
Since 2009, she has been Honorary President of Ladies Lunch Monte-Carlo.
Since 2010, she has been associated with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
She regularly participates in fund raising events for charities such as Amfar.
Surfing is one of her favourite sports as well as hiking up mountains.
Reading biographies and ethnic poetry from South Africa
Contemporary art

Nice photos of the couple for you to gaze upon:

Here is an interview with Miss Wittstock and Prince Albert. Click the link to view: You Tube

Photos courtesy of: Zimbio.com

Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco Proclaims “Miss Charlene Wittstock is a ‘Dream’ Sister-in-Law”

January 13, 2011 Alexandra

In the French newspaper, Le Parisien, HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco noted that Miss Charlene Wittstock is a “dream” sister-in-law!

How sweet. No, really it is.

Princess Stephanie goes on to state that she has a wonderful and close relationship with the former South African swimmer and that she is looking forward to the Princely wedding on July 1st and 2nd:

I’m planning on enjoying this great moment of happiness for my country, my brother and for all the Monégasque people.

I’m very happy for him. Like all little sisters, I want to see my brother happy. It’s a demonstration of their love and happiness that I’m seeing, which has been theirs for a while now.

To read the article in its entirety and watch the video clip please click the link: Le Parisien

Source: Le Parisien

Monaco Princely Family

HSH Prince Albert and Miss Charlene Wittstock: Ceremony Update

December 24, 2010 Alexandra

I have absolutely no idea why this is considered “new” information (everyone has known about this for some time), but the American magazine, People, finally decided to announce that the Princely religious wedding in Monaco will happen outdoors.

Uh. Duh.

Any way, for those who don’t know HSH Prince Albert of Monaco changed the wedding date a couple of times. Then when the date was set he decided to change the religious service venue to the courtyard of the Palais Princier de Monaco. There will be giant TV screens so Monégasques (and perhaps tourists) may watch the wedding. The guest list will not be released perhaps at least days until the actual two day event.

People magazine is also reporting that Miss Charlene Wittstock is “… considering [the House of] Christian Dior or Giorgio Armani.” to design her wedding gown. My guess, between the two, Miss Wittstock will ask Mr. Armani to design her gown. Though she may shock us all and decide to wear a gown designed by Karl Lagerfeld.

Photos courtesy of Daylife.com by REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch and Francois Durand/Getty Images.

Monaco Princely Family

Monaco Princely Wedding Dates and Information

December 22, 2010 Alexandra

Well, the dates for the Princely wedding is now firmly set so mark your calendars. Per the Palais Princier du Monaco:

The civil marriage will take place on Friday 1st July at 17h in the Throne Room at the Palace. It will be celebrated by Mr Philippe Narmino, Director of Judicial Services and Chairman of the State Council.
Mr. Philippe Narmino is indeed the registrar of the Sovereign Family.

The religious wedding will take place Saturday, July 2, in the courtyard of the Palace, at 17h. Monsignor Barsi celebrate mass.

The doors of the palace will remain open to allow about 4,000 people to attend, sitting at the ceremony broadcast on giant screens.

These two days, Friday and Saturday will be holidays.

This should be a lovely day, if the weather holds up, and I must say that I am disappointed that the religious service will not take place at the beautiful Cathedral in Monaco. Oh well.

It is unknown at this time how many members from reigning royal houses will attend the Monaco Princely wedding; however, it is safe to assume that members of several non-reigning houses will be present including The Duke and Duchess of Castro (they are close friends with the Sovereign Prince and currently live in Monaco.)

Information courtesy of the Palais Princier du Monaco at www.palais.mc

Photo courtesy of Daylife.com

Monaco Princely Family, Royal documentaries

An Interview with Miss Charlene Wittstock: The Future Princess of Monaco from the Documentary, ‘Prince Albert II de Monaco: L’Autre Prince’

December 19, 2010 Alexandra

Several months ago France 2 journalist, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, interviewed HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Miss Charlene Wittstock, at the Palais Princier de Monaco. In the documentary entitled, Prince Albert II de Monaco: L’Autre Prince, Prince Albert II discusses his life as well as in detail his first five years as the sovereign Prince of Monaco.

In part seven of the series, Miss Charlene Wittstock appears alongside Prince Albert II. The interview is quite interesting for those who want to know more about the couple. Click the links below to watch, Albert II de Monaco: L’Autre Prince.

Monaco Princely Family

HSH Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock Attend the Arbre de Noel in Monaco

December 15, 2010 Alexandra

On December 15, 2010, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco along with his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, attended the Arbre de Noel for the children in Monaco. Also in attendance, of course, was HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover and HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

The Arbre de Noel event is a tradition in the tiny principality, and the first time Miss Wittstock participated in the Christmas tree gift giving event. After a quick photo-op in the courtyard of Palais du Monaco the guests were ushered inside to receive their gifts from the Princely family. The guests cheered and screamed as Santa Claus entered the room, and the guests were more than happy to receive their presents.

After, the guests spoke with the Princely family and ate yummy food. Again, many photos were taken and it seems that everyone enjoyed themselves.

Photos courtesy of VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images), and REUTERS/Eric Gaillard at Daylife.com.

British Royals, Monaco Princely Family, Princely Wedding

Royal Wedding Update: Double Duty for Austria’s No Problem Orchestra

December 14, 2010 Alexandra

An Austrian band will be quite busy in 2011. Why? The orchestra known as No Problem Orchestra will be performing at both the Royal wedding in Britain as well as Princely wedding in Monaco next year.

The eight member world renowned group, consisting of mentally disabled musicians, were asked to play for both weddings and of course they said, YES! I mean… who wouldn’t, right?

According to the Austrian Times:

The extraordinary band, who have played gigs in the United States and across Europe, gave a private concert to Queen Elizabeth II at Highgrove House in the British county of Gloucestershire eight years ago. Also in 2002, the No Problem Orchestra performed in Monte Carlo for the first time.

The British royal wedding will take place on April 29, 2011 at Westminister Abbey while the Princely wedding will take place on July 2 and 3 2011. The venue for the Monaco wedding will be held outside in the Palais du Monaco courtyard.