Monaco’s Prince Albert finally ties the knot with his princess

Monaco’s Prince Albert II married South African beauty Charlene Wittstock and made her his princess yesterday, throwing open the gates of his palace to celebrate with the entire Mediterranean nation.

All 7,810 adult Monegasque subjects were invited to a buffet reception at the Grimaldis’ mediaeval palace, overlooking the tiny tax haven’s main marina.

The crowd cheered when the nervous-looking couple made their vows.

The Throne Room ceremony, conducted by the head of the country’s state council, was transmitted to the crowds on giant screens. The couple sat in high-backed bright pink chairs and Charlene wore a power blue gown.

“I declare you united by the bonds of marriage,” Philippe Narmino said.

Well-wishers waved flags in the red and white of the Monaco royal house and the rainbow banner of South Africa and cheered the couple, in what some saw as a national sigh of relief after many years of waiting.

The 53-year-old playboy’s lengthy bachelorhood had begun to try the patience of his subjects, who live crammed in a tight hillside warren of concrete tower blocks alongside tens of thousands of foreign tax exiles.

Yesterday he presented them with a princess that looks the part – a statuesque blonde, timid but poised – and locals hope the couple will now ensure an orderly succession by producing a legitimate heir.

Monaco’s privileged status as an independent principality that sets its own low tax rates and regulates its own financial services depends on it having a prince, and Albert’s Grimaldi clan has ruled since the 13th century.

Now the local elite hopes the wedding, and the accompanying feast days, will give the Grimaldi image a boost, just as the year’s previous royal wedding in London gave the British monarchy a much-needed shot in the arm.

“This marriage will complete the image of the principality, allow the wider public to see beyond the clichés,” Monaco tourism chief Michel Bouquier told reporters. “We are going to astonish, and astonish by giving pleasure.”

After the brief civil ceremony, the bells of the chapel dedicated to Monaco’s patron saint Sainte Dévote rang out.

Gossip is endemic in Monaco’s tiny native community, but many are reluctant to share their concerns with outsiders, and most did so on condition of anonymity.

“A marriage brings us security for the succession,” said an 80-year-old retired casino manager. “Charlene’s very pretty, I just hope she adapts.

“We’re lucky to be Monegasque. We live the good life, protected jobs, no military service. It’s important to have a prince. With no prince there’s no principality.”