According to the British newspaper, Yorkshire Evening Post, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock will visit Leeds this coming September 4, 2011.

The purpose of his visit is to attend a charity ball at Harewood House; furthermore, this vent will be the new princely couple’s first public engagement according to the newspaper and, “…as husband and wife it comes nearly 40 years after the Prince’s parents, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace, attended the charity’s ball at the Queen’s Hotel in Leeds.” 

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

On May 14, 2011, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, were in Menton, France to participate in the inauguration of the Potager des Princes (Princes Vegetable Garden) at the Palais Carnolès.

The purpose of this event was to re-introduce original vegetables and rare varieties into the garden at the Palais Carnolès which was once a “… summer residence of the Princes of Monaco.”  After the ceremony the couple attended an official luncheon at the Palais Carnolès with several dignitaries and VIP guests.   To view current photos from today’s event please click the link here.   To watch a video clip of the couple during today’s inauguration please click the link here.  To learn more about the Jardin du Palais Carnolès please click the link here.

Meanwhile, according to various sources new bishops robes have been designed and are being, well, sewn for the upcoming princely wedding in Monaco.  To view photos please click here. 

Source: Monaco Matin  Photo courtesy of:  Jardins-Menton.fr

For the past several months there were rumors swirling around South Africa and Monaco that H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock, will have a “second” wedding in Durban, South Africa.

Well, those rumors are true.

According to the Times Live newspaper, the princely couple will indeed celebrate their nuptials for a second time.  The event will be held at the “… Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks on July 7, 2011…” just five days after their lavish civil as well as religious ceremony in Monaco.

Wayne Coetser, a spokesperson for the Oyster Box Hotel, recently spoke to Times Live journalist, Brett Horner, whereupon he noted:

‘It’s a lavish affair, with a menu that will feature some South African delicacies,’ said Coetser, adding that only the best champagne would be served to complement the bespoke menu by executive chef Kevin Joseph.  ‘We’re keeping everything under wraps, but I can say it will be a luxurious affair…’

However, the celebrations will not include another religious ceremony; rather, the couple opted to invite 200 of their dearest friends for a mega food fest.  There are also speculations that the new princely couple will honeymoon somewhere in Africa… Kenya perhaps.

Finally, it is still unknown if the two-day civil and religious ceremony, that will take place on July 1 and 2, 2011, will be broadcasted by the major cable networks in the United States (i.e. CNN, MSNBC, etc.)  Nonetheless, as I previously reported those who subscribe to TV5 Monde may be able to view the wedding on their television sets in the United States. Also, France2 will stream the wedding online (only to those living in France) along with Monaco Info de Ligne.  For those living in Germany, the wedding will be available to watch via ZDF.

To read the article in its entirety please click the link here.  To learn more about the Oyster Box Hotel please click the link here. 

Source: Times Live  Photo courtesy of:  Zimbio.com by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images Europe