Prince Albert II of Monaco finally marries Charlene Wittstock at a 20-minute short civil ceremony on the tiny Riviera principality following a week of intrigue and rumor.
Around 80 family members, friends and dignitaries at Monaco’s royal palace attended the wedding on Friday.
Wittstock, 33, a former Olympic swimmer for South Africa, succeeds Hollywood beauty Grace Kelly, who wed Albert's father Prince Rainier III in 1956 and died in a car accident almost three decades ago.
Monaco's Prince Albert II and his fiancee Charlene Wittstock attend their civil wedding ceremony at the Palace in Monaco, July 1, 2011ReutersPhilippe Narmino (R), President of the Monaco National State Council and Director of Monaco Judicial Services, performs the civil wedding ceremony between Monaco's Prince Albert II and his fiancee Charlene Wittstock at the Palace in Monaco, July 1, 2011.ReutersPrincess Charlene's parents, Lynette (R) and Michael Wittstock (L) appear at one the Palace's balconies after their daughter's civil marriage ceremony with Prince Albert II of Monaco, July 1, 2011.ReutersNewlyweds Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene kiss on the Palace balcony after the civil wedding service in Monaco July 1, 2011.ReutersCitizens of Monaco react as they watch a giant screen at the Sainte Devote Church as Monaco's Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene kiss as they are married in a civil wedding service in Monaco July 1, 2011.ReutersPrince Albert II of Monaco and his bride Princess Charlene Princess arrive on the Palace square after the civil wedding ceremony in Monaco July 1, 2011.ReutersThe Mayor of Monaco Georges Marsen (L) speaks to the Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene as they receive presents from the Monegasques, after their civil marriage ceremony, in Monaco, July 1, 2011.Reuters
