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Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock to Marry in Monaco (Photo)

by Amy Judd | June 23, 2010 at 07:22 am

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Prince Albert and Former Olympic Swimmer Charlene Wittstock Are to be Married

For the first time since Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III in 1956, a reigning prince of Monaco will marry. Prince Albert, 52, has announced his engagement to former South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock, 32. Wittstock will then become the first crown princess since Grace Kelly died in 1982 according to the Associated Press.

No wedding date has been set, but the news has officially been confirmed by the palace. Royal protocol determines that an engaged couple must wait six months at least between the announcement and the wedding day. The couple met in 2000 when Wittstock competed in a swimming competition in Monaco, and she moved to the principality in 2006.

The palace spokeswoman Laetitia Pierrat was asked by reporters if Wittstock was pregnant:

She "Honestly, I don't think so," she said, adding she wasn't privy to such matters but if Wittstock were, a formal announcement would probably have been made.

Prince Albert has been ruling Monaco since 2005.

"It's been 30 years since Grace died, 30 years they've been waiting for a first lady, a princess, a dream beauty, glam. And voila!" said Colombe Pringle, executive editor of the French celebrity magazine "Point de Vue," which often covers Albert's private life.

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YankeeJim

at 08:05 on June 23rd, 2010

Hope he doesn't buy her a jeep.

Kelli Morgan (not verified)

at 10:30 on July 21st, 2010

I imagine it would be too muuch to ask to see the Prince's two children, Jazmin Grace Grimaldi and her half-brother, Alexandre' Coste in their father's wedding. I think that would make the affair splendid and make the Prince appear kind. He did not forget his children.