Inside the Monaco Royal Wedding: Charlene Wittstock Addresses the Rumors
by Natalie Livingstone
Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
The atmosphere in Charlene Wittstock’s suite at the Hermitage Hotel in Monte Carlo this afternoon just two hours before her Civil Wedding Ceremony to Prince Albert was more like a sorority slumber party than an official occasion. Surrounded by her coterie of close girl friends, the princess-to-be giggled and sipped Champagne while trusted stylist Stephan Alban teased her hair into her now-trademark deconstructed chignon and make-up maestro Pablo Ardizzone attended to her face.
“I’m feeling good,” Charlene said. “It’s a beautiful day. The whole country is so excited.”
Hanging on a rail behind her was a powder-blue, lace-trimmed corset, chiffon pleated palazzo pants trimmed with lace and a classic powder blue jacket adorned with tiny silver and pearl buttons. “It’s a collaboration between me and Karl Lagerfeld,” Charlene explained. “We wanted something to match the color of my eyes. It is my creation and I’m proud of it. It’s feminine and keeps with tradition yet has a little twist that reflects my personal style. I thought it was a nice change to go for trousers instead of a skirt, especially since I’m an athlete and have always kept my clothes clean and simple.”
Against all odds Charlene exuded a zen-like composure in the wake of a week of torrid accusations surrounding Albert’s private life. “I was a competitive swimmer for 15 years. Every morning I woke up and dived into a freezing cold pool; this challenge is no more daunting,” she said, describing how she transferred her althletic approach to her preparation for the day. Festivities include a post-marriage dinner for 6,000 at the Palace, followed by a private cocktail reception for friends of the couple at the Hermitage, and finally a concert and light show by Jean-Michel Jarre. “I’ve made sure I get enough rest and I focus on my own space and allow myself to zone out. I’ve been doing a lot of visualization techniques to keep level-headed—as if I'm going into a swimming competition.”
Of the week’s turbulent stories, she said, “It is a shame that those rumors came at such a bad time, but I think they were timed to sabotage such a happy occasion. They are categorical lies. I won’t dignify them with any response other than to say that the photographs of me and Albert in love and getting married will speak louder than any vicious gossip and empty rumors.”
Charlene’s maids of honor, Danish designer Isabell Kristensen and Albert’s cousin Donatella Knecht de Massy, have been integral to the smooth-running of the preparations and were by her side this afternoon. “I let my maids of honor choose whatever outfits they wanted,” said Charlene. “Both ladies have been exceptional friends and I had absolutely no doubt they would do me proud.”
Kristensen wore one of her own creations – a heavily boned peach crepe de chine dress with a peach lace overlay, teamed with a bespoke DeDe Valentine hat, while de Massy was swathed in nude-hued Akris, belted at the waist, with a voluminous skirt and a veiled Akris hat. “I’m excited for my cousin that he has found the woman of his dreams,” she said. “They are truly happy and have merely shrugged off all the negative press this week. In fact, we’ve all been laughing about the rumors—they are ridiculous.”
Charlene herself opted to forgo a hat or veil. ‘Everyone else will so why should I?” she said with a laugh.
Camilla Olsson, Albert’s friend of 20 years, was one of the chosen few to sit with Wittstock while she prepared for her big day. “Charlene is so relaxed,” she remarked. “In fact, I popped round this morning and she said I looked tired and offered me a facial or massage. That’s the kind of girl she is. Instead of thinking about herself she thinks of others. She must have been exhausted herself as she was rehearsing the wedding until 2am, but she insisted I drink her coffee while she ordered another one for herself. She is a very grounded girl,” added Olsson. “Of course, she has been upset by the rumors because she is very sensitive but I expected her to be a nervous wreck. In fact, she is totally calm and has just ignored the stupidity.”
Model Karolina Kurkova, who has become a close personal friend to Charlene, was on hand to usher in the party spirit, playing and singing along to her favorite Coldplay tracks. Wearing a Chanel couture dress, Kurkova dug into a basket of bread rolls dipped in olive oil, defying the notion that supermodels are pathologically fearful of carbs. “Everything in moderation,” she said as she inspected Charlene’s hair and make-up with a practiced eye.
Finally, hair perfect and make-up immaculate, it was time to call the two Chanel seamstresses who had flown in from Paris. Charlene slipped into the changing room and emerged a vision in azure lace and chiffon – a color which will now be known as ‘Charlene Blue.’
Ardizzone put one final coat of ‘Charlene’ lipstick, a shade he created in honor of the day, and she made her final journey to the Palace as a commoner to marry her Prince.
http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/ar...ding-charlene-wittstock-addresses-the-rumors/
