On 2 July 2011, Albert II, Prince of Monaco, married his longtime girlfriend, Charlene Wittstock.
On 23 June 2010, the Prince’s Palace announced their engagement and the wedding was initially scheduled for 8 and 9 July. It was moved forward to prevent a conflict with an International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting.
Festivities started the day before the civil wedding with a concert by the Eagles.
The following day, 1 July 2011, the civil ceremony took place in the Throne Room of the Prince’s Palace. This ceremony was conducted by Philippe Narmino, Director of Judicial Services and president of the Council of State. Following the civil ceremony, Charlene became Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco. Afterwards, the couple appeared on the balcony of the palace to greet the crowds. For this occasion, Charlene wore a silken blue jacket with ankle-length pants by Chanel.
The religious ceremony took place the following day. It took place in the courtyard of the Prince’s Palace, rather than the cathedral. The ceremony was led by the Archbishop of Monaco, Bernard Barsi. Special screens were set up outside the gates and throughout the principality so people could see the ceremony. After the religious ceremony, the newlyweds travelled to the Sainte-Dévote Chapel, where Charlene offered her bouquet to Saint Devota, the patron saint of Monaco.
The festivities continued with a dinner reception at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo. After the fireworks, the Opéra Ball was opened. The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Opéra Choir performed, as well as Andrea Bocelli and Renée Fleming, among others.
Charlene’s wedding dress was designed by Giorgio Armani, while the bridesmaids wore dresses designed by Charlene’s new sister-in-law, Princess Caroline and Jean-Christophe Maillot.
The wedding was attended by several foreign royals, such as King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark (then Crown Prince and Crown Princess), the King of Lesotho, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.
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