Flying like The Eagles

Today, Charlene Wittstock becomes Madame Albert Grimaldi, or Charlene Grimaldi, Princess of Monaco. The new Princess assumes her husband’s rank, per tradition of the patriarchy. From this day forward, people must address Charlene in third person: “How is Her Serene Highness today?” There won’t be anymore, “hey you, how goes it?”

Last night, Monaco was awash in the musical harmonies of the legendary rock band The Eagles. Glenn Fry, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy Bruce Schmit serenaded the princely couple with classic songs like “Hotel California,” which is supposedly among their favorites. The veteran rockers presented the smiling couple with a signed guitar. When Prince Albert kissed the cheek of his bride, Charlene beamed. Perhaps she was thinking, “Take that, tabloids!”

Indeed, as early as the day before, there was a media blitz, ignited by an incendiary story in the French paper L’Express. The paper claimed that Charlene had, one week before, attempted to leave it all — throne, jewels, Armani wardrobe — in the dust, that she was angry because her prince was not the “exemplary” man she believed him to be! The Palace issued vehement denials. The lawyers sprang into action. Thierry Lacoste, chief lawyer for the Prince, said they were suing the paper, that the story was “outrageous” and “rubbish.” Longtime waist-bowing courtier Stephane Bern even told another paper, Le Parisien to be precise, that there were more nasty rumors to follow, that a woman might in the near future “pretend” to be carrying the Prince’s child, but for now, no one could talk about these things before the wedding!

The civil marriage happens tonight at 19:00 (7 PM) Monaco time.

Tomorrow, 2 July, at the same time, the religious wedding will unfold in the Palace courtyard. Please see the Palace website for details.

Filed under Monaco
Tagged Albert II of Monaco, Concert, Media, Monegasques Royal Wedding 2011, Music, Princess Charlène of Monaco.

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