Charlotte Causing a Stir, Andrea Setting a Date

Not a few people (including yours truly) were less than thrilled when Charlotte Casiraghi started getting serious with the Jewish-Moroccan-French actor/comedian Gad Elmaleh, 15 years older than her and already the father of a 12-year old son, but it seems things have only gone further and recently Charlotte has been causing the rumor-mill to go into overdrive. Recent photos of Charlotte have shown what many see as the beginnings of a 'baby bump' and (as seen above) Princess Caroline's youngest was recently spotted shopping for baby clothes. Are they for big brother Andrea's offspring -or one of her own? Charlotte recently celebrated her 27th birthday and has been keeping company with Gad for about eighteen months now. Rumors are thick that the two are already engaged but, if so, there has been no official announcement of it as yet. Still, many are running with the story that Charlotte is expecting a baby and that the two will be married before the year is out. Time will tell if these people are correct.

Meanwhile, August 31 has been named as the date for the wedding of Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo. According to the Princely Palace it will be a small, private ceremony. Not long ago the couple welcomed their first child, a boy, to the world; Sacha, Princess Caroline's first grandchild. Will another be far behind?

MM Video: Andrea and Tatiana

Yes, Andrea is Engaged!

It has been all over the "news" that Andrea Casiraghi, oldest son of HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover and currently second-in-line to the Monegasque throne (until such time as Albert II and Charlene do their duty) is set to marry his girlfriend of seven years Tatiana Santo Domingo, a Brazilian-Colombian, U.S.-born socialite and heiress who was introduced to Andrea many years ago by his little sister Charlotte. The rumors have come and gone more than once over the years and when word first started to leak out this week, some (such as yours truly) were not inclined to take it seriously. However, it has been confirmed by the Princely Palace, though they have released no information about the details of the wedding (no 'when', no 'where' and I think we all know why ;-)) but it is expected to take place some time next year. Congratulations are certainly in order for the happy couple, and though there have been false reports before, I think most of us knew this day was coming. Andrea and Tatiana have been together for a long time now, they have survived some nasty rumors, good times and bad times and have always just seemed very comfortable with each other. Tatiana landed quite a catch and I think Andrea made a fine choice as well. She's very intelligent, well educated, knows business and she's very lovely. We wish them all the best and look forward to a stylish Casiraghi wedding!

Marriage for Charlotte?

It's that time again -time for more speculation about a marriage between Charlotte Casiraghi and longtime boyfriend Alex Dellal, this time via the "Telegraph" and a quote from Alice Dellal (model and brother of Alex) who said at a recent fashion show, "They are not engaged ... yet. But they have been together for years, so it is a possibility". That was enough to set the tongues of the chattering class wagging, even though we have seen this same line raised time and time again with no engagement. I will not lie, I have always though Charlotte could do better than Alex so keep that in mind -there's always been something about him that rather put me off. That being said, Charlotte must see something in him. They have been living together for quite some time now, dating for a number of years beyond that and she gives every appearance of being quite devoted to him. However, as usual, I cannot believe we will be hearing wedding bells any time soon. Why would they? They have already been living together as a couple for some time so there is no closer relationship they would gain by marriage other than increased media scrutiny and do take such a step now would probably be seen as ill-timed given the upcoming marriage of Charlie's uncle Albert next year. If that day comes I will of course wish them all the best but I will not be expecting a wedding announcement any time soon.

Sad Look Back, Happy Look Ahead

It was yesterday in 1978 that HSH Princess Caroline of Monaco made the mistake of getting married to the much older French playboy Philippe Junot. It was a beautiful occasion and the bride at least looked happy, but a close look shows two very worried parents. It was a mistake from the start and everyone seemed able to see that save Caroline herself. Problems emerged right away and there were even rumors of abuse. Happily, Princess Caroline was able to extricate herself from the bad situation and the marriage was eventually ruled invalid. She went on to marry her beloved Stefano Casiraghi; a marriage which, though ending tragically, gave her probably the most happy years of family life she has ever known.

On a happier note, the buzzing has not stopped concerning the engagement of the Sovereign Prince and Miss Charlene Wittstock, nor is it likely to until the wedding. Unfortunately, not all of it has been good. I will admit to being slow to 'take to' Charlene as we say down here, and I still do not feel I really know what kind of woman she is, but I have been amazed at how vicious some people have been and remain towards her even while knowing next to nothing about her. As I said, I do not really know what sort of person she is or what kind of princess she will make but I would rather assume the best and believe that Prince Albert, who does know her quite well and has for quite some time, knows what he is doing. I have also been impressed with how much effort Charlene has evidently put in over the last few years to prepare herself for the 'job' of being princess consort. She has studied how things work at the palace, how certain events are handled, she has learned French and Monegasque (no small feat) and, so I am told, she has joined the Roman Catholic Church. I do not know, off hand, of any other example of a Grimaldi bride-to-be doing so much for such a length of time to be prepared for what she will be taking on when she says "I do". Hopefully, it will not be a wasted effort and the two will have a happy and successful marriage and many years together.

I will say again, as the Sovereign Prince is considerably older than his fiance and not getting any younger, when it comes to possible children I would say the sooner the better. I would like for the Polignac-Grimaldi line to continue and hear the guns at Ft Antoine firing and a birth announcement being read from the palace steps again.

MM Video: Albert and Charlene - Engaged

ENGAGED!

There must be something in the water in Stockholm! Though everyone assumes it was known in royal circles before then (I'm not entirely sure) but it has been announced, it is official, -yes we have confirmation this time- our Sovereign Prince has finally popped the question and is engaged to be married to Miss Charlene Wittstock. To my regular readers, I know I have not been very prompt with this news but you should all know how many times Monaco-marriage-hopefuls have been burned in the past, so, I determined to hold off until there was an official announcement from the Princely Palace and not just a report on CNN quoting French newspapers. Well, the palace has confirmed it:

The Palace of Monaco announced the engagement of HSH Prince Albert II of
Monaco with Ms Charlene Wittstock
The Palace of Monaco announced on
Wednesday 23 June 2010 the engagement of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Ms
Charlene Wittstock.

HSH Prince Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre
Grimaldi, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Marquis des Baux, was born on 14 March
1958.
His Highness is the son of Prince Rainier III, Louis Henri Maxence
Bertrand Grimaldi (31 May 1923 - 6 April 2005) and Princess Grace, née Kelly (12
November 1929 - 14 September 1982).
HSH Prince Albert II succeeded His
father, Prince Rainier III, 12 July 2005.
Ms Charlene Lynette Wittstock is
of South African nationality and was born on 25 January 1978 in Bulawayo,
Zimbabwe. Before settling in Monaco, Charlene Lynette Wittstock was a youth
worker.

More than a few people are probably saying, 'Well it's about time!' In any event, better late than never, it will be nice having another wedding in Monaco to look forward to. Congratulations and all our prayers and best wishes to HSH Prince Albert II and Miss Wittstock!