By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
VIP guests include Karl Lagerfeld, Naomi Campbell, Roger Moore and Giorgio Armani
Princess Charlene wears Giorgio Armani silk gown, covered in 40,000 Swarovski crystals
French chef Alain Ducasse is preparing a multi-course dinner for 450 guests
The couple were legally married in an intimate civil service on Friday
A day after the civil wedding that transformed one-time Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock into the Princess of Monaco, the South African and her prince, Albert II exchanged vows in the religious ceremony today.
The happy both couple both answered 'oui' (yes) to the Archbishop of Monaco, Bernard Barsi, who conducted the service in front of 850 guests.
Wearing an off-the-shoulder Armani dress, the new Princess Charlene on Monaco looked serene and beautiful as she wed Prince Albert in the courtyard of the Prince's Palace.
The palace said the stunning gown took Armani's team 2,500 hours to prepare, of which 700 hours was spent on the embroidery alone, using 'kilometres' of platinum-coated thread sewn into 130 metres of off-white silk.
The gown would have been heavy for the new Princess, as she would have had to carry the weight of 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 20,000 mother of pearl tear drops and 30,000 'stones in gold shades'.
The dress's crowning glory was the long train made from 20 metres of silk tulle, which took 100 hours to make.
The groom looked smart in a cream summer uniform of Monaco’s palace guards, with his sleeves embroidered with oak and olive leave.
Accompanying the bride was her maid-of-honour Donatella Knecht de Massy and seven young bridesmaids from around Monaco and neighbouring French districts wearing taffeta red and white outfits and straw hats.
During the service, the couple exchanged 18-carat white gold platinum rings by Cartier, with Princess Charlene laughing as she placed the ring on her husband's finger.
During the service, Prince Albert's nieces Alexander - daughter of his sister Princess Caroline of Handover - and Pauline - eldest daughter of his other sister Princess Stephanie - both performed readings.
After the mass, the couple went to the nearby Sainte Devote Church to lay down her bridal bouquet in the tradition in honour of the Patroness of Monaco.
As the couple left the church, Princess Charlene was seen wiping away a tear as a choir sang.
The bride was given away by her father, Michael Wittstock, who wore a black and grey suit.
Also in attendance was her mother Lynette and her brothers Gareth and Sean.
VIP guests at the star studded religious ceremony including Karl Lagerfeld, Naomi Campbell, Roger Moore, Giorgio Armani and former French first lady Bernadette Chirac.
The couple were joined by European royals, heads of state, top models and world-class athletes streaming up the red carpet into the Prince’s Palace, with the British royal family represented by Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess Of Wessex.
As guests made their way into the venue, photographers shouted at Czech supermodel Karolina Kurkova, dressed in a sober navy skirt suit, to strike a pose.
And the crowd of thousands of Monegasque citizens following the festivities on giant screens just outside the palace broke into cheers as French musician Jean Michelle Jarre swept by.
Other household names expected to converge on the princely palace - an Italian Renaissance castle where Monaco's ruling Grimaldi dynasty has resided for centuries - include French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, U.S.
soprano Renee Fleming and Armani, the Italian designer who made Charlene's wedding gown.
Celebrated French-born chef Alain Ducasse is preparing a multi-course dinner for 450 guests.
Ducasse, who like many in his tax bracket has taken Monegasque citizenship, is the first chef to earn three Michelin stars in three different cities, including three for his Louis XV restaurant in Monaco.
He has said freshly caught fish and vegetables grown on Albert's farm will be on the menu. A fireworks extravaganza will follow.
The couple was married in an intimate civil service on Friday inside the prince's palace.
Albert's sisters, Princesses Caroline and Stephanie, were among several dozen guests at Friday's ceremony, which was held in the palace's sumptuous throne room where the prince's father, the late Rainier III, wed Hollywood legend Grace Kelly in 1956.
The blonde beauty died in a car crash nearly 30 years ago, and this tiny principality on the Riviera has been without a princess ever since.
Known as a notorious ladies man, 53-year-old Albert long eschewed marriage, and many Monegasques had resigned themselves to forever having a bachelor prince.
The constitution was even modified to ensure the continuity of the Grimaldi line, one of Europe's oldest dynasties, in case Albert never produced an heir.
The prince acknowledged having fathered two children out of wedlock, but only his legitimate offspring would be able to succeed him. Rumours have swirled in recent days that a third illegitimate child had surfaced - prompting Charlene to allegedly try to call off the wedding and return to South Africa days before the festivities.
The palace has denied the reports, dismissing them as ‘ugly rumours’ prompted by spite and jealousy.
Charlene, 33, has told interviewers she would like to have children.
Only Monaco's fewer than 8,000 citizens and their partners were allowed access to the Rocher, the rocky promontory presided over by the palace, to follow Saturday's service on two giant screens.
Several thousands of Monegasques came out for the civil ceremony a day earlier, many of them sporting dark suits or evening gowns and heels despite the scorching temperatures.
One of the attendees, 72-year-old Marie Malghreli, was still glowing from her family's brush with royalty.
‘My husband last night touched the prince's hand and then the princess touched my husband's hand - my husband was touched - and I was standing next to him and I was jealous,’ she said. ‘She is really pretty, she's delicious.’
Charlene was wearing a blue, ankle-length ensemble press handlers said was designed by the princess herself.
Monaco's royal couple kiss
Monaco's royal couple walk down aisle
Jean Michel Jarre Live at the Monaco wedding with introduction speech from Prince Albert
source: dailymail
Monday, July 4, 2011
The Princess bride: Monaco comes to a standstill as stunning Charlene and Prince Albert exchange vows in religious ceremony
8:05 PM
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