At 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Charlene Wittstock walked into the courtyard of the medieval Palace of Monaco in an exquisite Armani Privé duchesse silk dress and claimed her place in fashion history when she married Prince Albert in a Catholic ceremony. The poised former Olympian was the embodiment of regal sophistication. The wedding dress, which Wittstock called Armani’s masterpiece, was a model of sumptuous simplicity, perfectly suited to the elegant style of the woman who is now Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Wittstock’s day started in her suite at the Hermitage Hotel where she was joined by Roberta Armani, Giorgio’s niece. “My uncle wanted to make sure the dress was timeless and sophisticated,” she said. “Charlene is blessed with an amazing body and spectacular shoulders, which is a fantastic base for any dress. The shade of ivory we chose suits her skin so well.” The dress took three seamstresses 2,500 hours to make and featured a five-meter-long train adorned with 40,000 Swarovski crystals and 20,000 mother-of-pearl teardrops. “It was such a huge responsibility that we actually made two dresses just in case something happened to one of them,” Roberta added.
Charlene’s hair was swept up into a tight chignon. “I’m not wearing a tiara,” she said. “Instead, Princess Caroline has lent me some beautiful diamond hair clips which belonged to her grandmother. I did have a tiara made by Van Cleef & Arpels but I decided to put it on display at the Oceanographic Museum, and I will wear it for my first official engagement.”
As Charlene and Albert made their vows, they were watched by an eclectic crowd from the worlds of sports, politics, and fashion, as well as a generous sprinkling of royalty. The hand of Karl Lagerfeld, who had pride of place at the ceremony, was all around: Princess Caroline was magnificent in pale-pink Chanel Couture and her daughter, fledgling fashion icon Charlotte Casiraghi, wore a fitted pink Chanel suit with tiny diamante buttons. Model Karolina Kurkova also opted for Chanel—a navy silk dress and coat that featured a train of its own.
Naomi Campbell, who had flown in straight from Kate Moss’s nuptials the day before was sensational in a full-length Alexander McQueen. “It was all very elegant and moving,” she said of the ceremony. “I’ve been to two very different weddings this weekend. Today’s is much more formal. Kate’s was super relaxed. When they said ‘I do,’ everyone in the church got up and started cheering. But today is truly wonderful. Charlene looks stunning.”
The royal contingent included newlyweds Prince Daniel Westin and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark, and Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Sophie Wessex, Prince Edward’s wife, who has become close to Charlene, represented Britain in a chic taupe shift dress and feathered hat. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, without his pregnant wife Carla Bruni, was one of the last guests to arrive.
Following an emotional ceremony in which Andrea Bocelli serenaded guests, the royal couple drove off in a custom-made Lexus hybrid to change for the evening festivities.
Princess Charlene emerged in another Armani Privé creation for the official wedding dinner and ball at the Opera Garnier. “The wedding dress is pretty heavy so I wanted to change into something light, soft and easy to move in for the evening,” she explained. Her silk chiffon gown that featured an ethereal four-tier train.
Celebrated French-born chef Alain Ducasse prepared the multi-course dinner for 650, which took place on the sea-view terraces of the Opera House and nearby Fairmont Hotel. Guests had rushed back from the palace to transform themselves into Monégasque Cinderellas. The ever-elegant Princess Caroline once again plumped for Chanel couture—this time, in navy-blue lace. Princess Stephanie channeled a screen siren in a silver-gray Jiki, and Charlotte Casiraghi dazzled in a powder-blue Giambattista Valli.
Karolina Kurkova was exquisite in an electric raspberry Sophie Theallet, accessorized with dangling sapphire earrings by Irene Neuwirth. “Charlene looked elegant, refined, and effortless today,” she observed. “Her composure and posture were incredible. I loved her walk. She really rocked that aisle!” Campbell showcased her Tracy Anderson–honed body in second-skin pale pink Givenchy Couture embellished with large green crystals. And Karl Lagerfeld’s skills were out in force again with Amanda Harlech and Inès de La Fressange both enduringly chic in black Chanel Couture.
Prince Albert concluded the formalities with a heartfelt speech to his new princess. “It has been a very emotional journey to this day, sometimes not an easy one,” he said. “Charlene, thank you for putting up with my inconsistencies and idiosyncrasies. You are a wonderful woman. Marrying you is the best decision I’ve ever taken. I’m happy to share my life with you.”
And that life began on the dance floor as the newlyweds rocked out to DJ Donna D'Cruz.
