Princess Charlene. Prince Albert's fiancée Charlene Wittstock and Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani
At her wedding to Prince Albert, Charlene looked miserable, and rumors surrounding the princess have not stopped even now that she is pregnant. Her husband, a former playboy, Albert, finally fulfilled his duty and took care of the heir to the throne. He will have at least, one legitimate child after two extramarital affairs.
And Charlene? “Well, there are many like her,” says a resident of Monaco, caustically describing the princess from poor family South African city (in Monaco, as in France, your origins are very important), but “at least she showed herself capable of reproduction.”
The wealth of Monaco's citizens is blinding. But going a little deeper into the details, we will see that many people living there adhere to almost medieval views (racism is one of them).
Sources say Charlene has been very depressed over the past three years over her inability to give birth to her son and heir, Albert. Although the pregnancy has not been easy, she is relieved that the ordeal of the past three years will soon be over.
“She doesn’t expect to suddenly be loved by Monegasque society, but assumes that after giving birth (especially if it’s a son) she will be freer and able to do what she wants,” says one member of the European high society. "What she keeps secret is that she would probably go back to South Africa, or London, or Paris, or anywhere but Monaco."
To be honest, Monaco is a very unique place to live. Trembling appears already when crossing the border. Monaco is populated by billionaires and looks more like a police state ( phone calls, for example, are checked regularly) and you can be expelled from the country without explanation at any time.
Although the principality is tiny, thanks to reforms and tax breaks (notably a 0% income tax rate) instituted by Albert's father, Prince Rainier, Monaco is the most rich country on the planet. Its streets are lined with supercars, tens of millions are wagered at Le Grand Casino every night, and the total value of the yachts in port could pay off the national debt of many countries.
Monaco is full of women who are bored with idleness and have a great reason to gossip. When Charlene showed up there, it was too good to be true. Girl from South Africa, with short hair and with a sullen face marries the prince?
Charlene, I must say, didn't really help herself. In an interview with British Tatler, she said that she did not find suitable friends after moving to Monaco. "Although I have met several wonderful people, living in Monaco, I consider them all just acquaintances. I only have two people that I consider friends here,” she said.
The princess also refused to study French(although it should be noted that Albert's first language is English, which he spoke with his mother, Princess Grace). When the prince speaks French, he begins to stutter. This was passed on to him from his domineering father, with whom Albert was forced to speak exclusively in French.
Charlene seems to have found solace in numerous surgical operations over the past three years. One local resident says: "Most people hope she will stop doing plastic surgery now that she's finally pregnant."
Charlene faced a constant barrage of criticism when she married Prince Albert in July 2011. The ceremony was marred by false newspaper claims (which were later retracted) that she had attempted to flee the principality two days before the ceremony.
Rumors that all was not well at Grimaldi's new home were fueled by a surprisingly awkward photo of Albert and Charlene's wedding day kiss.
It was a bad start and things haven't improved since then.
The people of Monaco resented Charlene from day one. It seemed to them that a girl from an inexperienced city in South Africa simply was not great enough to take the place of Albert's mother Grace Kelly, the legendary Princess of Monaco who died in car accident in 1982 on one of the serpentines of the mountain road.
Part of the problem, some believe, was older sister Alberta, Caroline Casiraghi, who would like her eldest son Andrea to become the next owner of the throne of Monaco. She did little to help Charlene settle in. This year there were some signs that Albert had begun to fight against his tyrannical older sister.
This summer Caroline and younger sister Alberta Stephanie for the first time recent years were absent from the annual festive concert Red Cross. This was perhaps a slightly clumsy but ultimately effective attempt by Albert to put Charlene in the spotlight. There are persistent rumors in Monaco that Caroline and Stephanie did not come because they did not like Charlene's choice of singer Diana Krall as musical accompaniment.
Of course, some loyal subjects insist that all is well in the palace. "People are used to Charlene and everyone already loves their unborn child," says Ian Brodie. There's no doubt Albert is a good guy. People who know him describe him as a calm and charming person, without a hint of arrogance. But will there be a marriage with this? good guy"And a child is enough to make Charlene happy in Monaco? Most people think not. According to a person from close circle: “She is isolated and sad. She has no friends and she might go crazy in the end.”
Charlene, Princess of Monaco, wife of Prince Albert II of Monaco and professional swimmer. Biography.
Natural blonde with perfect figure And impeccable style. Full name— Charlene Lynette Wittstock She was born on January 25, 1978 in the Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia. Her family comes from Europe. Charlene has two younger brother: Sean and Garrett. Father, Michael Kenneth Wittstock, sales manager for a computer company. Mother, Lynette Humberstone, is a swimming coach and former diver. It was mother who instilled love in the princess, and later great achievements in sports career. At the age of 18, she won the South African swimming championship, and four years later she will compete at the Olympics in Sydney as part of the South African team. The team will take 5th place in the 4x100m relay at the Olympic Games in Sydney. Since 2011 he has been an ambassador for the Special Olympics.
Many believe that it was sport that brought the girl to royal palace one of the richest monarchs in the world. And also the stunning resemblance of Princess Charlet to Prince Albert’s mother II American actress, Grace Kelly.
Now the princess does a lot of charity work and takes part in sporting events and commissions. For several years Charlene and her charitable foundation is actively involved in the problem of safety of young children while swimming. She personally conducts trainings and classes for students.
Charlene with her husband Prince Albert II.
How did Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene meet?
The first meeting of the future spouses took place in 2000 during a swimming competition in. Albert's second meeting with Charlene took place in 2006 during a competition in Turin. Rumors that the prince was dating Charlene were finally confirmed after they appeared together at a wedding British prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey on July 1, 2011.
In 2014, the monarch family became parents. On December 10, 2014, Princess Charlene gave birth to twins, a boy Jacques (Jacques-Honoré-Renier, Crown Prince of Monaco, Marquis de Beau) and a girl Gabriella (Gabriella-Teresa Maria, Princess of Monaco, Countess de Carladez).
He has received awards: Grand Cross of the Order of St. Charles, Star of Italy and for services to Poland.
ELLE remembered the love story of the ruler of Monaco and his wife and collected their best photos together.
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Albert and Charlene's love story has its own quirks. There is a 20-year difference between the son of Grace Kelly and the ex-swimmer and teacher, and the only thing that could unite them was sports: Albert II participated in the Olympic Games five times as a bobsledder, and Charlene Wittstock was a member of the South African swimming team. They met in 2000 at a competition in Monaco, but even despite Albert’s high-profile title, Charlene did not immediately succumb to his charms. By that time, the heir to the Monegasque throne had already earned himself a reputation as a real ladies' man - he had affairs with Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Brooke Shields and a dozen other supermodels and athletes, as well as two illegitimate children, daughter Jasmine Grace from Tamara Rotolo and son Alexander Eric from flight attendant Nicole Cost. The athlete's coldness did not upset the monarch much - in 2001, he announced his engagement to actress Angie Eckhart, then broke up with her and began dating athlete Alicia Warlick. But, apparently, the South African swimmer nevertheless fell into the prince’s heart. Charlene's resistance to his advances lasted for six years - in 2006, when Albert had already ascended the throne, they met again in Turin and began an affair.
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Four years later, Albert proposed to Charlene. The prince's bride came to court, even despite the simplest origins (her father is a sales manager, and her mother is a swimming coach): she not only looks like the darling of the whole world, Albert's mother and Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, but is also distinguished by the reserved manners and bearing that he instilled in her big sport. However, right before the wedding of the prince and princess ex-passion Albert and his mother illegitimate son Nicole Coste stated that her relationship with the ruler of the principality is still not over and that she has another child from him. Albert's bride could not stand these rumors and tried to flee the country a couple of days before the ceremony. At the border, Charlene’s passport was taken away and she was asked not to do anything rash. The prince assured future wife in her innocence, and Charlene still agreed to go down the aisle.
The civil wedding ceremony took place on July 1, 2011, and the couple was married the next day. Princess Charlene cried almost the entire wedding, for which she received the nickname “ sad princess" “I could hardly bear all these rumors before the wedding, bursting into tears from such stress. And when I thought about the fact that the whole world would now see my tears, I began to cry even more at the thought,” Charlene later explained. But during their honeymoon, which the newlyweds spent in South Africa, they lived in different hotels, which could not but raise questions.
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The press continued to closely monitor their relationship even after the monarch and ex-athlete returned home. Journalists were especially worried about the fact that the prince and princess would not think about heirs. Albert and Charlene explained this by saying that the wife of the ruler of Monaco simply needed to get used to her new responsibilities. In May 2014, the couple announced that they were expecting a child, and on December 10 of the same year, twins Jacques and Gabriella were born.
After giving birth, Charlene began raising children and did not soon begin to go out into the world. The media wrote that the princess had severe postpartum depression, but when she appeared in public for the first time, she dispelled these doubts with a happy smile and blooming view. Unfortunately, every wrong step of the prince and princess remains a reason for talk about the upcoming divorce, and one can only hope that even if Charlene and Albert really have problems, the constant gossip will not aggravate them.
Charlene Wittstock was born in 1978 in Zimbabwe into a very simple family. Her father was a sales manager, and her mother was a swimming coach. When Charlene was barely two years old, she was taken to the pool for the first time, and the girl really liked it there. So from childhood hobby sport has grown into a professional activity. By the age of eighteen, she had become the champion of South Africa, where the Wittstock family had moved at that time. Thanks to the competitions, the young athlete traveled almost all over the world, and in 2000 she ended up in the small European principality of Monaco. Here, during a sports competition, she was lucky enough to meet Crown Prince Albert, the son of the famous Hollywood film actress Grace Kelly. Albert immediately noted that the girl was very similar to his late mother and had the same classic beauty. Charlene herself was passionate only about competitions and thought only about sporting achievements, although she was undoubtedly flattered by the prince’s attention.
The next meeting between Charlene and Albert took place in 2006, at the Olympics in Turin. Interesting fact that this is not the first time when modern prince I met my Cinderella at the Olympics. Thus, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, then still a prince, met Sylvia Sommerlath at Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, and Danish Crown Prince Frederic - with his future wife Mary at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
By that time the prince had died in Monaco Rainier III, and Albert became the reigning monarch. Charlene had to leave the sport due to a shoulder injury. They began to communicate a lot, often appeared together in public, and people began to talk about the prince’s possible engagement. And in fact, the convinced bachelor Albert thought more and more about marriage; he wanted to pass the throne to his child, and not to his sisters and nephews.
After the Turin Olympics, Charlene moves to Monaco at the invitation of the prince. Here she gets acquainted with the principality, its history, customs and most importantly - the people, the proud Monegasques, who even greeted the charming Grace Kelly very coolly, looked closely at her for a long time and appreciated her only years later. After the official announcement of the engagement, preparations began for the royal wedding.
Princess with sad eyes
Charlene was a person very far from social life, gossip and intrigue, and therefore the news that constantly surfaced in the press about numerous novels, illegitimate children and dubious connections of the prince always hurt her painfully. The cheerful and smiling girl was now on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Journalists wrote about her sad eyes and depressive character. In addition, the beloved’s sisters, Caroline and Stefania, constantly added fuel to the fire. They did not miss a single opportunity to say a barb and ridicule her manner of dressing and demeanor in public. Instead of the support that Charlene had so counted on, she received only ridicule from her future relatives. Role good fairy This fairy tale was played by two people - fashion designers and Giorgio Armani. They helped me decide on a style that would suit my new situation, selected a wardrobe, and talked about the intricacies of social life. Soon the “little mermaid from South Africa” became the subject of universal admiration, turning into a real decoration Cote d'Azur. In 2011, she even entered the top ten of the symbolic “Woman of the Year” competition.
According to media reports, Charlene tried to escape from Monaco three times. For the first time - from fitting wedding dress, in the second - from the Formula 1 races, and in the third - a few days before the wedding. All three times she was detained by security, but it was not possible to keep all this secret from the public. The civil wedding ceremony took place on July 1, 2011, and the next day Albert and Charlene were married. The wedding cost the principality 4 million euros and was held in true European style.
The best tailors worked on the bride's wedding image for months. The bride appeared before the admiring crowd in a snow-white dress with a 20-meter train from Armani, and her hair was decorated with a tiara - an aigrette from Cartier, one of the prince’s many wedding gifts.
Charlene said the cherished “Oui” to Albert in the presence of no less than 85 thousand spectators. Such a beautiful sight has not been seen in the principality for 55 years - since the wedding of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly. If the wedding of the latter was dubbed a wedding of the 20th century, then the celebration of Albert and Charlene can be safely called a wedding celebration of the 21st century. Despite the solemnity and importance of the moment, the bride was unusually sad, and when it was time to visit the chapel of Saint Virgin, the patroness of Monaco, she burst into tears. Some whispered that it was from happiness; others believed that the tears were because the marriage was unequal; still others were sure that it was all about the sad motif of the Catholic hymn Couronne d'etoiles. Charley herself later denied the scandalous gossip: “ Words about betrayal and my alleged escape are speculation and lies! The ceremony was important, everything was very solemn, obviously due to overexertion I burst into tears. Of course, rumors also contributed... And when I started crying, I thought: “Oh, no! Now the whole world has seen my tears!” And she burst into tears even more. But still I remember this day with tenderness" We are unlikely to ever know what was going on in the bride’s soul in those moments, but in many countries, tears before the altar are considered a good omen, the key to a happy and strong marriage.
There were many rumors that the prince and princess spent honeymoon separately, staying in different hotels. Now Charlene claims that this is nonsense and that she and Albert laughed a lot when they read such statements in the press. But the princess says this only now; previously, there was indeed some estrangement between the spouses, and what was the reason for it, one can only guess. One way or another, it was this royal couple that became the most mysterious for the whole world; everyone is waiting with bated breath for news about the princely couple.
The embodiment of a fairy tale
After the wedding, royal everyday life followed: receptions, charity work, high-ranking visits, balls and special events. Now Princess Charlene of Monaco must be a standard of style, because every public appearance she makes is a real event in the principality. Although the princess herself admitted more than once that she was burdened by the prim atmosphere of the court: “... And even now I don’t like all this tinsel. Jeans and a white t-shirt are my favorite outfit. My husband and I like simple things - watch sports programs on TV, walking barefoot, having a barbecue in the garden with friends" The spouses share a love for sports. Charlene, in her princess status, has repeatedly given master classes at various sports schools. The Moscow students of the Olympic sports complex were also lucky - the princess not only attended their lesson, but also taught them.
It was not easy to establish relationships with her new relatives, but Charlene managed to do that too: “ I was able to find common language with sisters Alberta, Caroline and Stefania. Every woman wants to have good relationship with my husband's family, and I'm no exception“,” the princess admitted in an interview with Italian Vanity Fair. However, the princely couple and the Monegasques first of all expected from Charlene not charity and social receptions, but the appearance of an heir. The prince’s illegitimate children, Jasmine Grace and Eric Alexander, have no rights to the throne, and Albert would like to transfer the throne not to his nephew, but to your own child. Charlene has also stated more than once that she dreams of children and cannot imagine herself without them. full-fledged family. Only in 2014, the subjects and the whole world were told the happy news - the princess was expecting an heir, and not just one, but twins. " I feel absolutely happy!,” she admitted to reporters. And indeed, not a trace remained of the sad look, recent months Charlene simply glowed with happiness. Despite her position, the princess practically never missed official events and regularly appeared at exhibitions, balls, and gave interviews. And then the long-awaited moment came: in mid-December 2014, the princess gave birth to twins - Jacques Honore Rainier and Gabriella Teresa Maria.
There is an old legend in Monaco that the Grimaldi family was cursed by a girl dishonored by the first representative of the dynasty, Rainier I. Since then, it is believed that no Grimaldi will ever be happy in love. Over the years, the legend has been either refuted or confirmed.
However, the new prince and princess do not look like superstitious people, and in any fairy tale about a princess, curses are sooner or later destroyed and lose their power. This can be confirmed by the happy Charlene Wittstock, now the Princess of Monaco, who embodied the story of Cinderella. Even if the prince and princess had problems and disagreements, then all this is already in the past. In a recent interview, the princess admitted that she and her husband “went through many trials, and for her he is not only her husband, but also her best friend.”
It took less than 20 minutes for Charlene to become legal wife Albert.
Looking at this photo, I still want to believe that this marriage was concluded for love.
Here the prince and princess greet their subjects from the window. “I feel the most incredible joy you can imagine! I know it's very important event for residents of Monaco. “I will do everything to meet their expectations,” Charlene promised on the day of their engagement.
A light turquoise skirt-pants made of flowing chiffon, a slightly fitted blazer with gold buttons and a bandeau top - Charlene chose this ensemble for the civil ceremony. Many of those present were sure that this was an outfit from Chanel, but then an official statement was made - the items were sewn according to the sketches of the bride herself.
Proud father Michael Wittstock walked his beautiful daughter down the aisle. From her father, Charlene received a medallion with St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, as a gift.
They walked along the red carpet, which is 103 meters long.
The bride is worried, the groom is worried - even though they are already officially married, their union has not yet been consecrated by the church.
Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock exchanged Cartier rings
Charlene's amazing diamond hair ornament was lent by her sister-in-law, Caroline Grimaldi, the prince's sister.
The prince removed the veil from his wife’s face and planted a kiss on her lips.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Campbell, Brooke Shields, Marina Anisina - far from it full list Albert's love victories. It seemed that the confirmed bachelor would never marry, but 11 years ago he met Charlene. And so happy groom is already holding the bride tightly by the hand (it seems that he would be happy not to part with her even for a second).
All attention is focused on Charlene and... her 20-meter train - a “record holder”.
At the wedding ceremony, Charlene was simply delightful in a snow-white silk dress from Armani with a train 20 meters long (remember, the train of Diana’s wedding dress was much shorter - “only” 8.5 meters). Albert II was dressed in the summer uniform of the Carabinieri of Monaco.
In order to marry Albert, Charlene, who grew up in a Protestant family, had to become a Catholic.
The bride's bouquet included her favorite lilies of the valley, orchids and freesias. And her bride's dress was praised by Karl Lagerfeld himself. “Extremely elegant,” the couturier commented on the outfit created by his competitor, Giorgio Armani, in an interview with France 2.
“I know that the Monegasques (as the indigenous inhabitants of the principality are called) are looking forward to this wedding with great impatience,” noted Albert II. “And I’ll have to throw a party that won’t disappoint them.” Well, it seems to us that the prince kept his promise.
Multi-tiered wedding cake, decorated with exotic royal protea flowers, the newlyweds cut together.
After the first dance at the ball, the husband once again confessed his love to Charlene: “You are wonderful and patient. Thank you for everything you have done for me, for us and for Monaco!”
In order for Jean-Michel Jarre's show to take place, the principality's electricity was cut off in the morning...
The festive fireworks lasted about a quarter of an hour; a thousand and one sparkling roses bloomed in the sky over the night Monaco.
- Acquaintance of Charlene Wittstock, a professional athlete from South Africa, and Albert, then crown prince, took place in 2000. The first rumors about the wedding appeared in 2006, when Charlene began to regularly accompany Albert to official events. The media nicknamed the future Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, “Katie Expecting” - meanwhile, the relationship between Charlene and Albert lasted a year longer - not 10, but 11 years.
- According to the French publication Journal du Dimanche, the prince's bride tried to escape from the crown not once, but three times! Before the incident at Nice airport, there were two similar incidents - the first during one of the Formula 1 stages, and then the second in Paris.
- The English Sunday Times claims that His Serene Highness has two more illegitimate children (presumably from a German woman), in addition to the daughter Jasmine and son Alexander recognized by Albert, and not the one because of which Charlene almost broke off the engagement on the eve of the wedding.
- The civil wedding ceremony in the Throne Room, which was attended only by selected guests (80 people in total), took place very quickly - it began at 17-00, at 17-18 the prince already kissed his wife for the first time.
- The prince and his wife arranged a feast for the whole world for their subjects. On the first day of the celebrations fresh air tables were set for 7,000 people near the palace, they were treated to champagne and canapés, and specially brewed environmentally friendly beer was poured in the harbor where the concert was taking place.
- Over the two days of celebrations, a sea of tears was shed - the eyes of the bride's parents kept on wet place, Charlene gave vent to her feelings and burst into tears after the wedding - in the Church of St. Devot. In the same church, the newly minted princess did exactly the same thing as the incomparable Grace Kelly 55 years ago - she placed a bouquet of her favorite flowers - lilies of the valley and orchids - on the altar of the patroness of Monaco, who should also protect her marriage with Albert from all adversity.
- At the wedding ceremony, Charlene was simply delightful in a snow-white silk dress from Armani with a train 20 meters long (remember, the train of Diana’s wedding dress was much shorter - “only” 8.5 meters). It took 2,500 hours to make the luxurious outfit, 40 thousand Swarovski crystals and 20 thousand pearls were needed to embroider it floral patterns. Charlene's hair decoration was lent by her sister-in-law, Caroline Grimaldi, the prince's sister. Albert II was dressed in the summer uniform of the Carabinieri of Monaco.
- Wedding rings for spouses from Cartier are made of platinum and white gold(18 carat). Almost the entire principality froze, looking at the groom, who was about to put a ring on the bride’s right hand, instead of the left one, and exhaled with relief when he noticed his mistake and corrected himself in time. Unlike Prince William, who flatly refused wedding ring, the Prince of Monaco is not averse to wearing the ring that Charlene put on his finger, fortunately it is quite narrow.
- 15 florists worked tirelessly to create floral arrangements of roses, peonies, lilies and hydrangeas for the princely wedding.
- The musical accompaniment of the celebration was very worthy - the Philharmonic Orchestra and the choir of the Monte Carlo Opera performed before the wedding. Church hymns were sung opera stars- soprano Renee Fleming and tenor Andrea Bocelli. They played “Ave Maria”, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, works by Handel, Schubert, Saint-Saëns and Sir Paul McCartney’s celebratory march!
- The team of 60 chefs was led by the eminent “maestro of cuisine”, winner of 3 Michelin stars Alain Ducasse, chef of the Louis XV restaurant, where the prince regularly visits. After the wedding ceremony, about five hundred distinguished guests were invited to a gala dinner.
- The cathedral in which Prince Albert's parents were married turned out to be too small to accommodate all the guests. So the ceremony took place open air. Everyone who observed this event was unanimous: during the exchange of marriage vows, the bride behaved much more confidently than during the civil ceremony.
- Lexus cut off the roof of its top sedan for the sake of the wedding. Landaulet, designed in a single copy specifically for newlyweds, received a landau-type body - with a hard roof in the front part of the cabin (above the driver) and an open roof at the rear, above the passengers. The electric eco-car, in which the bride and groom took a wedding walk to the delight of their subjects, will later be exhibited in the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
- 28 years after the sudden death of Grace Kelly, tiny Monaco, whose population is 33,000 (according to other sources 35,000) inhabitants, regained its princess - Charlene received her husband's surname and title.
Text: Sascha Gluwein
Photo: Getty/Fotobank.ru; Sipa/Fotodom.ru; Splash/AllOverPress