Posted on 06/26/2011 2:44:31 PM PDT by Cincinna
He is the prince who never grew up – a one-time playboy and son of the Hollywood star Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco. She is a working-class South African 20 years his junior, a former Olympic swimmer and the daughter of a photocopier salesman. When Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock marry this week in a two-day populist extravaganza in the wealthy Mediterranean enclave, tens of thousands of tourists are expected to flood in to witness the ultimate "prince and commoner" wedding. The American rockers the Eagles will belt out Hotel California in a special gig for locals while synth-pop guru Jean-Michel Jarre performs a light show over the port.
But the wedding is more than just the latest soap opera instalment of the House of Grimaldi, a dynasty as famous for its heartache as its glamour. It is vital for the survival of the Mediterranean tax haven. Monaco, the world's smallest state after the Vatican, has 360,000 registered bank accounts and a 35,000 population – the vast majority of whom are foreign expats, many British, paying no income or capital gains tax. If Somerset Maugham once famously called Monaco "a sunny place for shady people", Prince Albert declared when he took over that "morality, honesty and ethics" would guide his rule. In 2009, Monaco was removed from the OECD blacklist of unco-operative tax havens, after promising to be more transparent with foreign authorities asking questions. But it continues to exempt its rich foreign residents from paying tax, and its own vast wealth depends on the international fortunes that take residency there. The Grimaldis, who have run the enclave for seven centuries, are the protectors of Monaco's special status.
(Excerpt) Read more at m.guardian.co.uk ...
Thanks, and she is quite beautiful.
From the bits I’ve read in your recent threads about this wedding (and I thank you for that!) I feel a certain sympathy or empathy for this young woman. Both Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton were raised in monied families that could send them to the ‘best’ schools, provide the proper trappings, etc. to deal with the “High Society” (h/t to GK) that is ahead now for working class Charlene.
At the first holiday dinner I hosted as a new bride, my sainted mother in law seemed somewhat aghast that I hadn’t set out a pickle fork! “Honey, don’t you have a pickle fork?” Pickle fork? WTF is a pickle fork? God bless him, my brother in law piped in and said “WE have pickle forks! ALL our forks are pickle forks!” and got me out of THAT pickle. Grrrr, I know. That WAS bad.
White girl,blonde, Zimbabwe born, South African raised, swimmer, outdoorsy-athlete...sun, sun, sun. I think she looks good and she doesn’t look like she’s had those horrible fillers that create that melting wax doll look so many women sport now-a-days.
Whose funeral was she at in the last picture?
Thanks for the ping. I read an interesting book once about Princess Grace. Her wedding dress weighed a bunch. It’s amazing she wore it so many hours considering the weight. She was an elegant lady. Hopefully the new Princess can carry on where she left off.
The picture of Charlene in the black veil was taken at the funeral of Prince Ranier’s sister, and Albert’s aunt, Princess Antoinette. It was a major state occasion in Monaco, and made the cover of Paris Match.
Please please take me off this ping list!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I understand what you mean. But although Charlene comes from a modest background, her training as an Olympic athlete give her the strength and self discipline to deal with her new life.
Albert was an Olympic athlete as well, being the captain if the Monaco team for many years, & serving on the International Olympic committe. They seem to have a great deal in common, and share a common language, English.
I certainly wish them well.
No class= boob belt ;•}
Grace Kelly was so beautiful & talented. I just watched the A&E Bio on YouTube.... excellent, with great photos of her childhood & movie star days. There are 4 parts. Part One is here:
A&E GRACE KELLY BIOGRAPHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY8La-Z0s9o
Oh, I wish them well, too, that they really love each other and will endure all that this level of celebrity intrudes into their lives.
In scrolling down thru the thread, I saw that you spoke of Monaco’s proximity to Nice and I *think* that’s where my daughter, her husband and his family will be next week celebrating his parents’ 30th wedding anniversary on the 4th. I’m sure they have absolutely no clue that there will be ‘big doings’ going on nearby.
What beautiful pictures!
Prince Albert was truly a ladies man, and a very handsome man, in his younger years. He certainly has “girthed up”, though.
She’s a beautiful woman. Hopefully, he’s at a time in his life where he wants to settle down with someone that HE loves, and that this isn’t a Princess Di moment where he’s only after someone who can produce an heir.
I’m glad I’m not royalty. It’s way to complicated.
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