Princess Charlene met Prince Albert of Monaco at a swimming event in 2007 and the couple’s marvellous wedding – held in July 2011 – was a highlight of the royal calendar.
Now the countdown is on for another Monégasque royal wedding between Pierre Casiraghi and his fiancée Beatrice Borromeo.
The groom’s uncle, Prince Albert gave away a few details about Pierre and Beatrice’s civil ceremony this week that is due to be held on the 25th of July in Monte Carlo.
“The wedding service will be in the palace’s salons, then a garden party – because Pierre and Beatrice want it that way,” Albert, 57, told People.
According to Albert his sister, Princess Caroline’s youngest son wants his wedding to reflect his simpler country upbringing in France.
“It’s going to be a summer garden party. A finger-foods-for-lunch thing, with buffet tables and drinks. There’ll be places for guests to sit, but it’s going to be mostly informal.”
“There’ll be some local folklore dancers and music,” said Albert. “And, we’ll play some pétanque. It’s a light fete and I will give a toast. I’ll try and keep it short and not bore everybody, have them feel I ran on and on, which will be hard because I really like both Pierre and Beatrice.”
The nuptials are due to be a rather small affair by royal standards – only 700 guests have been invited to the palace but according to HELLO! Magazine “a second bigger, religious wedding in the bride’s native Italy the following week – on her family’s Borromean Islands.”
While Beatrice is a well-to-do socialite her transition from regular civilian to royal might be tough but thankfully she can ask her new uncle’s wife, Princess Charlene for advice on how to deal with her new found responsibility and the scrutiny her marriage might face – something former South African Olympian Charlene is well versed in.
In a wide-ranging interview published in Thursday’s Paris-Match, Charlene, 37, discusses her marriage, the difficulties of becoming a princess in a land that was not her home.
“When I got to the palace, no one gave me a handbook describing how to become a princess,” Charlene said.
“I missed my family and my friends, as much as the simple style of life in which I was raised.”
“Happily, I quickly found new friends here who have remained very dear.”
After a rocky start to her marriage – rumours swirled about Charlene being forced to marry Albert when she sobbed her way down the aisle in 2011 – the Princess appears to be happier than ever, focused on being a new mum and her charity work.
Of her husband and father to her twins, Jacques and Gabriella, Charlene told Paris Match, “Everyone who knows him knows he possesses an incredible memory and a colossal capacity for work.”
The princess gushed that these qualities are complemented by Albert’s “coolheaded Irish nature, no doubt inherited from his mother, Princess Grace.”
We have no doubt Charlene will be gracious enough to help welcome Beatrice into the family.
One thing that Charlene and her late mother-in-law, Princess Grace certainly have in common is impeccable style. Here are some of Charlene’s best looks.
Prince Albert reveals details of nephew Pierre Casiraghi’s upcoming wedding to Beatrice Borromeo.
Despite never meeting Grace Kelly, stylish Princess Charlene will be forever compared to her beautiful fair haired late mother-in-law, Princess Grace.
Princess Charlene of Monaco wears all white as she attends a welcoming ceremony held as part of Montenegro’s president official visit to Monaco on May 6.
The royal looks youthful in this hot-pink number as she attends the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco Gala dinner on the arm of her husband, Prince Albert on May 25.
The statuesque royal wears this gold gown to attend a private dinner in Stockholm, Sweden in June 2013.
Charlene opts for this opulent chocolate outfit for the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O’Neill in June 2013.
Princess off-duty: Charlene spotted summering in Portofino, Italy.
Keeping it chic and simple at the Monte-Carlo Million Dollar Super Four boxing event in July 2013.
The fashion fan attended the Akris show as part of the Paris Fashion Week in 2013.
The royal dazzled in this lilac gown at a Ralph Lauren Collection Show and private dinner in Paris, 2013.
The royal attends the Princess Grace Awards Gala at in New York City in October, 2013.
The Princess turns heads in the midnight blue velvet number to a ball in Monaco on November 15, 2013.
Looking uber cool in this monochrome pantsuit to attend the Monaco Red Cross gifts distribution as part of the Monaco National Day ceremonies on November 17, 2013.
Making a statement: the Princess steps out to attend the mass at the Cathedral of Monaco during the official ceremonies for the Monaco National Day in November, 2013.
The Princess fights off the chill in this chic well tailored coat as she walks the streets in Monaco.
Getting into the Christmas spirit in this floor-length tartan skirt.
Charlene looking demure in a bejeweled high neck dress and earrings as attends the St David’s Day gala dinner in March.
Charlene sitting front row for he Louis Vuitton show as part of the Paris Fashion Week in March.
A fashionable bunch: Karl Lagerfeld, Princess Caroline, Charlotte Casiraghi, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert attend the Rose Ball at Sporting Monte-Carlo in March in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
Charlene and Albert made an elegant pair while at the Rose Ball this year.
Charlene showing off some day style at the ATP Masters Series Tournament tennis match in Monaco in April.
Charlene looks fantastic in this cream trouser-suit and heels for the tennis final on April 20.
Green with envy: The princess wears this figure hugging number and beige pumps to attend an event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in April.
