Bright Young Royals (13 page)

Until recently, Albert had quite a playboy reputation. (His previous girlfriends included Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, and Brooke Shields.) The prince’s fiftieth birthday came and went and he had yet to announce an engagement. Still, Monaco’s royal succession did not depend on Albert choosing a princess. In fact, the constitution was changed to ensure that the Grimaldi throne would pass to Princess Caroline’s children (Andrea, Charlotte, and Pierre) in the event that Albert remained a bachelor. Many even thought that young Andrea would beat his uncle Albert to the altar!

But royal watchers across the world rejoiced when Albert’s betrothal to Charlene was finally announced in June 2010, bringing some much-needed stability to Monaco’s royal family. The couple married in July 2011, bringing us a shiny new Princess of Monaco.

THE BRIDE:
Charlene Wittstock was born January 25, 1978, in Rhodesia. This South African swimming champion and former model was first spotted with Prince Albert II of Monaco (twenty years her senior) at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics. Charlene declares that the moment she met him she felt a profound sense of destiny.

Like Albert, Charlene is a serious sports aficionado—she loves to surf and hike, but most of all, she loves to swim. The statuesque blonde holds several national swimming awards in South Africa and swam in the Olympic relay team at the 2000 Sydney Games. Meanwhile, Prince Albert was part of Monaco’s Olympic bobsled team for five consecutive years.

Prince Albert once declared, “The woman of my life will have to resemble my mother.” When one’s mother happens to be Hollywood goddess Grace Kelly, this is a formidable requirement! But tall, willowy Charlene (who wears her icy blond hair in the same chignon made famous by Princess Grace) certainly holds more than a passing resemblance. In glamorous evening dresses that show off her swimmer’s physique, Charlene looks every inch a royal consort. It’s no wonder Giorgio Armani chose her to be one of his style ambassadors.

THE ROYAL WEDDING:
The last time Monaco celebrated the wedding of its ruling prince was in 1956, when Prince Albert’s father married Grace Kelly—quite an act to follow! But Monaco, with its usual splendor, did not let us down. On the eve of the wedding, a celebratory concert by the Eagles was offered to all Monegasque citizens. On July 1, 2011, the couple’s civil ceremony was held in the opulent Throne Room of the Grimaldi Palace. Their religious ceremony was held the following day in the palace’s main courtyard. Charlene looked radiant in a white Armani dress and a diamond hair ornament on loan from Princess Caroline. Afterward, in line with an ancient tradition, Charlene lay down her bridal bouquet in the Church of St. Dévote to honor the patron saint of Monaco. The official dinner was prepared by threestar French chef Alain Ducasse and followed by a magnificent fireworks display for the whole country to enjoy.

QUOTE:
“I’m in a unique position where I can make a big difference. My hope is to harness the tremendous resources Monaco possesses to address a multitude of global problems.”
¹¹

CHARLENE’S CHARITIES:

◆
Nelson Mandela Day
Close to the man himself, Charlene was deeply involved in the annual event dedicated to Mandela’s life’s work and charitable organizations.
http://en.mandeladay.com/Home.aspx

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The World Wildlife Fund
Strives to protect endangered wildlife, tackle climate change, and promote sustainable use of resources. Charlene once wore a fabulous evening gown with a large WWF panda logo emblazoned on its skirts.
http://www.wwf.org/

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The Princess Grace Foundation
Created by Prince Albert’s mother, this charity supports pediatric medicine and humanitarian aid for handicapped children. Charlene also champions the
Special Olympics of Monaco
.
http://www.fondation-psse-grace.mc/frameseteng.html/

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The Monaco Red Cross
Aims to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. Prince Albert is president.
http://www.icrc.org/

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The Born Free Foundation
An international wildlife charity working to prevent cruelty and alleviate suffering.
http://www.bornfree.org.uk/

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The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
Created by Albert in 2006, the foundation seeks to protect the environment and encourage sustainable development.
http://www.fpa2.mc/default.asp?lang=en

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Fight Aids Monaco
Founded by Albert’s sister, HSH Princess Stephanie, this charity promotes awareness of the danger still posed by HIV/AIDS.
http://www.fightaidsmonaco.com/accueil-eng.html/

CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA OF SWEDEN

THE BRIDE:
Born July 14, 1977, Victoria is the eldest of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia’s three children. Because Sweden is the first monarchy to allow the eldest child to inherit the throne regardless of gender, Victoria is destined to become Sweden’s future queen. As things stand, she is the only female heir-apparent in the world. Victoria speaks four languages and is known for her fervent interest in diplomacy and international relations.

THE GROOM:
Daniel Westling (now known as Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland) was born in Sweden on September 15, 1973. Before his marriage to Princess Victoria, Daniel worked as her personal trainer. Daniel’s working relationship with the sweet-natured princess quickly blossomed into an eight-year romance. Daniel eventually opened a fitness company called Balance Training, with three gyms in central Stockholm. But upon receiving the title of prince, he stepped down as CEO of the company.

THE ROYAL WEDDING :
Their wedding was held at Stockholm Cathedral on June 19, 2010—the thirty-fourth wedding anniversary of the King and Queen of Sweden. Victoria wore an ivory-colored gown of duchess satin, with a five-meter train, designed by Swedish dressmaker Par Engshed. Her antique lace veil was held in place by the same cameo tiara that was worn by Victoria’s mother, Queen Silvia, at her marriage in 1975. The wedding was attended by twelve hundred guests from around the world, including six kings and nine queens. After the ceremony, the happy couple boarded the royal barge to the reception at Drottningholm Palace. Following a wedding feast of lobster, caviar, and champagne, Princess Victoria and her new prince took to the dance floor, where they executed a perfect waltz. So romantic!

PRINCESS TATIANA OF GREECE AND DENMARK

THE GROOM:
Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark (born October 1,1969) is the second son of King Constantine of Greece and the elder brother of the aforementioned eligible royals Prince Philippos and Princess Theodora. The nephew of two Queens—Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is his mother’s sister; Queen Sofia of Spain is his father’s sister—Nikolaos has dozens of royal cousins throughout Europe. Prince Nikolaos graduated from Brown University with an BA in International Relations and works for his father’s London office.

THE BRIDE:
Venezuelan born Tatiana Blatnik is the granddaughter of Countess Ellinka von Ensiedel of Dresden. The Grace Kelly look-alike attended school in Switzerland and later studied Sociology at Georgetown University in the U.S. before working as a PR and events manager for fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. She had been quietly dating Prince Nikolaos for six years before their engagement was officially announced.

THE ROYAL WEDDING:
On August 25, 2010, Tatiana and Nikolaos wed in a lavish sunset wedding on the beautiful Greek island of Spetses. Throngs of royals from across Europe gathered for the ceremony at the Church of Saint Nicholas. As a ravishing blonde with regal heritage, Tatiana looked every bit like a fairy tale princess on her wedding day. She arrived in a traditional horse-drawn carriage wearing a full-length strapless ivory gown with lace overlay by Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez. It was worn with a full-length veil, matching lace bolero jacket, and a dazzling diamond tiara borrowed from her new mother-in-law, Queen Anne Marie. (The tiara was also worn at the wedding of Tatiana’s sister-in-law, Princess Marie-Chantal.) Tatiana is now known as HRH Princess Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark. The newlyweds reside in London.

FAVORITE CHARITY:

◆
The Anna-Maria Foundation
Provides aid to people who have suffered due to natural disasters. Nikolaos is a board member.
http://www.greekroyalfamily.gr/index.cfm?get=foundation

LADY FREDERICK WINDSOR

THE GROOM:
Born April 6, 1979, Lord Frederick Windsor is the son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and is thirty-seventh in line to the British throne. His father is a first cousin of HM Queen Elizabeth II; his sister is the aforementioned Lady Gabriella Windsor. Educated at Eton College, “Freddie” later graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Classics. He now works for investment bank J.P. Morgan and recently transferred to their California offices so he could be with his wife as she pursues her acting career. The romantic aristocrat proposed to his bride-to-be on Valentine’s Day.

THE BRIDE:
Sophie Lara Winkleman was born in London on August 5, 1980. Her father is a prominent publisher and her mother is a copywriter and author. Her half sister is TV anchor Claudia Winkleman. Sophie studied English Literature at Cambridge University, where she joined the famed dramatic society Cambridge Footlights, which launched her successful acting career
.
After several roles for UK television, Sophie filmed an American comedy series entitled
100 Questions for Charlotte Payne
and is now working on a new historical series about the
Titanic
where she will play the American silent-movie star Dorothy Gibson.

THE ROYAL WEDDING:
Sophie and Freddie married on September 12, 2009, in a society wedding at Hampton Court Palace, which was attended by several young royals, including Princess Eugenie of York. The beautiful bride arrived in a silver Rolls-Royce, wearing a white silk beaded gown, with a three-meter train, designed by Anna Bystrova from Roza Couture. The service was held in the sumptuous Chapel Royal and was followed by a reception of champagne, canapés, and cake in the magnificent Great Hall. Celebrations continued with a dinner and dance at the London home of the groom’s godmother, Lady Annabel Goldsmith. The newlyweds currently reside in Los Angeles, California.