Royals and celebrities are flying in from all over the world as Prince Albert prepares to tie the knot. Here's a quick primer on the fabled principality, the Grimaldi family, and preparations for the big event.
1. Monaco is the world's second smallest country, but it's considered the yacht capital of the world. Super yachts like the Lady Moura, owned by a Saudi businessman, and the Atlantis II, once the yacht of Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos are often found in Monaco's glamorous Port Hercules.
2. Since there's no income tax, the mega-bucks crowd loves Monaco.
3. Citizens of Monaco can't gamble in their world renowned casino. The big rollers and high spenders have to come from outside the principality's borders.
4. The Grimaldis, Monaco's ruling family, came from Genoa in 1297, making them one of Europe's oldest royal dynasties.
5. Although Genoese by origin, the Grimaldis can claim a noble French heritage through Prince Albert's grandfather, Pierre de Polignac, who upon marrying Princess Charlotte of Monaco assumed the Grimaldi surname.
6. Next in line to the Monaco throne, is Princess Caroline, the principality's Hereditary Princess. If Prince Albert and Charlotte have children, they will be the direct heirs.
7. Caroline's full title is Her Royal Highness, Princess of Hanover (from her marriage to Prince Ernst of Hamover), Hereditary Princess of Monaco. Caroline is an HRH; her brother an HSH (His Serene Highness).
8. The nuptials of Prince Albert to Charlene Wittstock begin with a civil ceremony on July 1 that will be broadcast live throughout Monaco. The big event comes Saturday, July 2nd, with a religious service starting at 5 PM in the palace's courtyard. Some 3500 guests will attend, a figure roughly equivalent to 10 percent of Monaco's population.
9. Star chef Alain Ducasse, an integral part of the haute Monagesque dining scene (his restaurant in the Hotel de Paris, Louis XV, is a celebrity and tycoon must-stop) will oversee the wedding dinner, which will be held at the Monaco Opera house.
10. Perrier Jouet is the wedding's official Champagne.
11. Giorgio Armani is designing the bridal gown.
12. Prince Albert graduated from Amherst College.
13. The Kellys of Philadelphia (Prince Albert's maternal family) were a family of overachievers, earning some of the most coveted prizes the world has to offer: Grace Kelly won an Academy Award; her uncle George Kelly, a Pulitzer Prize, and Jack Kelly, Albert's grandfather captured three Olympic gold medals.
14. Charlene Wittstock is an accomplished swimmer, competing in the 2000 Summer Olympics for South Africa.
15. According to Vogue.com, the new Princess Charlene would like to help organize a Monaco Fashion Week. In a principality overflowing with luxury label boutiques, how can it miss?
Catherine Phelan - Catherine Phelan has been the editor of In Fashion, an editor for Harper's Bazaar in Italy, and author of four books on design and ...
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