ROYAL NEWS
YEARS OF WAITING AND COURTING
It all started with a prestigious swimming competition starring the future Princess of Monaco . Charlène ’ s athletic looks , virtuosity and strength will have conquered the hearts of all ‘ Mare Nostrum ’ spectators . She brilliantly won the 200-metres at this international swimming contest in Monaco . The Prince was dazzled by the blonde mermaid . Their eyes first met when he was presenting her with a victory bouquet . The son of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace then felt a strong emotion , decisive for the Principality ’ s destiny ...
The happy end , however , took years to happen . South African swimming champion , Charlène Wittstock , pursued her career as a top athlete . It was not until the next year that the Prince got another chance to court her .
This meeting did not take place in a sumptuous palace , but a comfortable hotel where Charlène was sharing a meal with her fellow swimming athletes . Prince Albert invited her for dinner . Her hesitation was only short before she accepted . Their date carried on well into the night . Wrapped up in languid dancing , they just couldn ’ t get enough of each other ...
After this memorable evening , the Olympic swimmer returned to South Africa and carried on with her training . ‘ We finally met a few months after my father ’ s death , in the company of mutual friends , on New Year ’ s Eve 2005 – 2006 , in Cape Town . We ’ ve taken up the thread of our brief relationship from there .» That ’ s what Prince Albert says in his book ‘ Albert II of Monaco , a man and a prince . Conversations with Isabelle Rivère and Peter Mikelbank ’ published three years ago .
This was the start of a special bond that remained secret until the whole world learned about the couple and speculation began about a possible union .
It all became official on February 10 , 2006 , at the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Turin . The couple appeared serene and visibly very close , their romantic intentions now obvious . Even before the official statement , it didn ’ t take long to figure out what was happening . They still gave themselves four more years . Albert and Charlène ’ s en-
© Charly Gallo - Archives du palais de Monaco – IAM
Princess Charlène and Prince Albert II going out of the Sainte-Dévote chapel accompanied by girls dressed in costumes inspired by Monegasque folklore and created by Caroline , Princess of Hanover . July 2 , 2011
gagement was announced on June 23 , 2010 , ten years after their first meeting .
© Gaëtan Luci - Archives du palais de Monaco – IAM
THEY WANTED AN HEIR … THEY GOT TWO !
Back when their union was celebrated 10 years ago , Monegasques had but one idea in mind : the arrival of
Princess Charlène and Prince Albert II going out of the Palace after the civil marriage registration ceremony to the sound of fanfares of the Prince ’ s carabiniers . Princess Charlène dressed in a blue-sky costume by Chanel – Karl Lagerfeld is walking hand in hand with Prince Albert II . July 1 , 2011
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