I’ve never been that interested in Prince Albert of Monaco. Not until a few days ago when on the eve of his wedding to former South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Witstock, the bride-to-be tried to do the Harry Holt and escape from the tiny country. She reportedly bolted to the airport and tried to buy a one-way ticket back to South Africa.
The reason? She’d apparently just learned that her fiance had fathered yet another child. He already had two ‘illegitimate’ children (yuck, hate that term but it has relevance when you’re talking about royalty because there are massive implications for the monarchy) and now another woman is allegedly pregnant by his, er, hand. Or something.
Sheesh, I’d head for the airport too. But in a scene straight out of some warped fairy tale, Charlene was stopped at the airport by the police who confiscated her passport and allegedly talked her out of flying home to South Africa. She was delivered back to the palace and then as rumours began to circulate internationally about what had happened, Prince Albert and his reluctant bride took a ‘spontaneous’ tour of Monaco, stopping at half a dozen different locations to be photographed. Together. All happy like. Except not.
PRINCESS Charlene had her passport confiscated after she tried to escape her marriage to Prince Albert II of Monaco, not once but three times.
South African-born Charlene Wittstock, who is two decades younger than her husband, even “took refuge” in her country’s embassy before she was persuaded to walk down the aisle.
The couple’s glamorous and staggeringly expensive wedding attracted thousands of well-wishers to Monaco at the weekend. The guest list included dozens of royals, heads of state, fashion and sports stars and even James Bond.
But whether the bride wanted to be there is another question entirely.
She tried to flee in May after she got cold feet during a trip to Paris to try on her Armani wedding dress. She tried again not long after during the Monaco Grand Prix.
And last week police told Le Figaro newspaper they confiscated her passport while she was en-route to Nice airport. According to sources quoted in the French media, a deal had to be reached before she agreed to say “I do”.
“Several sources have even confirmed that an arrangement was reached between the future bride and groom,” Le Journal du Dimanche reported. Princess Charlene’s escape attempts follow reports that Albert, 53, was due to undergo DNA tests because of claims by at least one unnamed woman that he had fathered another illegitimate child.
Le Journal du Dimanche said Monaco “policy advisers” had discussed “two illegitimate children – one already born, the other to come”. A senior palace official said Prince Albert was likely to undergo a paternity test in relation to one of the children.
He has been with Charlene for five years, so any claims of children under five suggest the prince had been cheating on his bride.
A couple of days later at the wedding…..well, have you seen the photos and the coverage? It looked more like a hostage situation than a wedding.
Suddenly, the Monaco royals got a whole lot more newsworthy again…..I haven’t been this interested since Princess Stephanie dated Rob Lowe.
Methinks we’re going to be seeing hearing and reading a whole lot more about Prince Albert and Princess Charlene and yes, I couldn’t be more pleased about the fact the world now has a Princess Charlene. That, my friends, is sensational.
Could there be a greater contrast than the images coming out of Canada of William and Kate? How HAPPY do they look? How in sync? How…..together?
It’s so old-school vs modern. There is Prince Albert and Charlene and they could have been Charles and Di. He’s older, aloof, holds the cards. She looks terrified, powerless, haunted. He’s clearly got some * cough * issues with monogamy. She’s under massive pressure to produce a male heir. And spare. It’s all so…….sad. And such deja vu.
Next to them, William and Kate tick every modern box. They have learned a lot from the previous generation. They dated for a long time. Slept together (presumably). Lived together. Broke up. Fooled around with other people (presumably). Realised they wanted to be together. For better or worse. And at that alter – and ever since – they have looked completely equal. Beautifully matched. Confident and energised in that way you are when you’re with someone who lifts you up.
Princess Charlene? Not so much. She’s not looking very lifted. She’s looking a lot like Schapelle Corby when she received her life sentence. Only less animated. I wonder what her future holds?
Would you have run? Why do you think she stayed?
Check out the wedding gallery below…..
Comments
141 Comments so far
the very much in love royal couple is of that prince william and kate of britain in which they show a happily maried life in which they enjoy each others company.i realy love them,more power to wills and kate…im very obssessed with them.and am proud with it.
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I think Charlene looked lovely – very elegant and stylish although the dress wasn’t personally in my taste. Also, I have seen many photos of her over the years and she never looks very happy, she always has a little, slightly crooked smile, so I don’t see her looking too different here.
My husband is also 20 years older than me and there have been plenty of rumors about us circulating even though we are not famous, so I feel for her very much there that she has to be dealing with this around the time of her wedding. I really hope they turn out to be false and wish them a happy life together.
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The footage of their kiss is sad & she looks it. She gives him a lovely look for a second just after but then as he’d turned away dismissively & instantly her face drops & she looks miserable. And resigned. Hadn’t seen pictures of her crying….really? On yr wedding day?!
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You have to think that there was money changing hands here. But what price do you put on your own freedom? He sounds like a pig. Nothing would be worth getting married just so you could produce an heir to the throne. I would assume that the rules to the children would be much the same as the ones in Denmark that Princess Mary had to agree too – children remain with the royal family and the mother is treated as a second class citizen. Oh, and don’t forget the lovely part about giving up your citizenship, I wonder if that too applies to Princess Chazza?
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On another note, such a daggy old fashioned wedding dress for someone whose budget would have been sky high…
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i don’t know or honestly really care that much but those flower girl dresses are the CUTEST ever!!
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i really would like to know what her family think. also, i have to say that if i didnt read into all the background info & was just watching the video of their wedding ceremonies as an outsider i wouldnt guess all that sadness around it.. i think she did look happy – albeit a reserved happy compared to catherine – but i dont think it looked ‘hostage-like’ (obviously its not exactly going to look like that.. but you know what i mean
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I am glad I took the time to look into this more as the media have done a Class A job of making this whole thing out to be something it’s not..so I guess I can thank Mamamia for that.
The video of their civil ceremony shows a formal occasion with loving glances touches and smiles..even a wink & a blown kiss. One of Albert’s sisters is crying (one presumes from happinesss at seeing her brother getting married..but of course I’m sure the tabloid media and most commenters on here could read into that that she is upset about the hostage marraige..or maybe that the bride has been so difficult about the whole thing..who knows..only limited by one’s imagination really)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmCJZuIx5mQ
And watching the footage of the church wedding..again LOTS of loving glances, exchanged smiles & laughter. It appears that Charlene’s face is one that, at rest, appears to have a melancholy look about it. *Unless of course she is sad ALL the time..that would also explain it. *sarcasm
As for the footage of her crying ..well let’s see what can be read into that..she seems genuinely moved by the song that is being sung, perhaps it was a special song..to her (I can actually picture a scenario the same as this but insert Catherine in there and the words “this song is so special as it was played at her grandmothers funeral ” and everyone would be going oh that is so beautiful..etc etc..) Albert appears to be making sure she is OK…and to me the body language looks like she is apologising and he’s saying “it’s ok don’t worry” .(except in french) (or maybe “Is my makeup running?” “No it looks fine” )
And lastly, the footage outside the church where they kiss and everyone says it was perfunctory..if you watch the whole thing people can be heard calling out for them to kiss and he is looking at her trying to get her attention to do so, she has misunderstood the calls and blown the crowd a kiss, and shortly after turned and realised what was happening.. so it all happened awkwardly as the timing was all out.
How sad that this lovely wedding has been ruined by this ridiculous malicious media beat up.
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Thank you for posting this youtube link. I must admit I’ve been caught up in the gossip surrounding this wedding as well. The media is capable of creating stories I agree. Just look at the recent hysteria about the mother-in-law from hell email, which turned out to be false. I guess it will be interesting to hear the results of the paternity test.
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Ohhh first time post-er, long time follower of this site. This is something that I HAD to comment on!
I don’t pay much heed to these ‘other’ Royals but for some reason (maybe it was my Mum’s pile of New Ideas from the early 90s triggering memories of the poor ol’ Grimaldis – when they were on the first couple of pages of the Mags…), the Grimaldis have always struck me as a little bit interesting.
So – I googled Prince Albert who is, as most of you have pointed out, UGLY but he is a little bit interesting too – it a cunning and unfortunate way! There is one particular instance where, in 1992ish, he was the subject of a paternity suit, which he denied, denied, denied – until about 2006 when it was admitted that the child WAS his. What a BASTARD! Imagine what this woman went through!
AND Therese – Rick is right, illegitimate children are not successive heirs – only a child of a marriage (of HIS of course!). His Serene Highness of Monaco (or something like that) made sure of this by promulgating “Princely Law” in 2002 which was ratified in 2005, just in time for him to make his announcement that those 2 illegitimate children were his! Until there is a child of the marriage between him and Charlene, Princess Caroline is no 1 and her son is No 2 in line to the throne.
My view, for what is worth (probably nothing – LOL!) is that there was pressure from the people of Monaco and the Council of Monaco, that this Sovereign Prince was not being taken seriously as a ruler for the little place, given his ‘indiscretions’. I don’t think that the marriage will last long, I think that it’s a matter making up for some of the immorality… What a terrible mess! And totally transparent!
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Geez there’s an awful lot of selective editing going on about this story. I have only seen a couple of shots (still & video) in the news which perpetuate the whole sad/unhappy/unwilling bride and uncaring groom.
However, the two video snippets above show a happy bride and groom, complete with loving glances, touches etc. What on earth is this hoo haa about? Sounds like a media beat up to me..you can make anything look bad if you edit it right.
They are a more “mature” couple so perhaps are less inclined to public displays of affection…or that may just be their personality..I know many couples who won’t even hold hands in public.
As for the lip reading of Albert saying “stop it” (which I can’t see anyway ..bit of a stretch), in the video above they appear to be saying their vows in french…so there’s goes that little conspiracy theory.
The comments about Albert’s physical appearance & age are quite disgusting really..what has his age or looks got to do with ANYTHING? Balding? Overweight? Old? Does this make him a lesser person than any of you? Some serious double standards going on here.
I have to agree with others who have posted that this is just regurgitated tabloid pap. “hostage situation” “looking a lot like Schapelle Corby when she received her life sentence. Only less animated.” “Terrified, haunted, powerless”? Really?
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I think there is a lot of media beat up with this – I trust absolutely nothing that I hear from the paparazzi – in the photo where she is crying she looks remarkably like my friend who cried at her (very emotional wedding) – it’s so difficult to tell from a still shot what is really going on – I agree that in a lot of the photos there does seem to be a very genuine affection between the couple and we should be very careful about making assumptions -
You are absolutely right that people’s comments about Albert’s appearance ect are completely unacceptable and people are just being catty and superficial – its a loss to them though as people if they want to live their own life with such superficiality and nastiness. I do worry the positive image movement has become too centered around criticism of thin women and photoshopping instead of any real and genuine concept of acceptance of diversity.
Albert does seem like a bit of a ratbag but Charlene is a grown woman and I’m sure is very capable of making her own decisions – I don’t get the impression at all that she is someone overly vulnerable, who is being taken advantage of. Maybe the marriage will or won’t last – to be honest I’m not all that interested and worry gossip can be very damaging to the people involved, there are so many fascinating people in this world doing remarkable and interesting things – I personally find these celebrity cults around people that are famous for not much more than swanning around being famous – rather boring, I just don’t get the fascination?
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They WERE saying their vows in French, I watched a bit of the footage
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stopped at the border by police? alarm bells… clearly she was forced into this, she tried to run away 3 times! hello! that is clearly saying she didn’t want to marry the guy. He is an old ugly player and she is young and beautiful. Makes me sick. ( I am pmsing..)
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Can’t wait to see how Hello Magazine tackles this one!!
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High road: I have no idea who she is and if she’s calm and confident with the media and being in the spotlight, so maybe she was crippled with nerves which showed on her face, an unexpected load of public responsibility had settled with a thud on her shoulders, underneath she deeply wanted to do the right thing, and faced the public as bravely as she could. She had some underlying private reason (health? family/friend tragedy?) to look so sad on the happiest day of her life.
Other road: (and this is what I thought before I heard or read any media commentary about Albert’s alleged other child or her supposed attempted escape). Wow. She looks very upset on her wedding day. Have never seen her before is she an actor playing a role? Why are they sitting down for the civil ceremony, or is this a rehearsal? No warmth, excitement and love here. I remember Catherine Middleton’s face beaming with joy and excitement. We all smiled along with her.
Am left wondering if she is truly happy, and hoping she is. This is the only opinion I can make as a distant, unknown spectator with only pictures and images to decide upon.
The only two people who know are: Albert and Charlene.
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Interesting that you had an earlier article about “loved up” couples and here we are judging them by their public affection (or lack there of)
I think she is a grown woman who has been with him for long enough to know what kind of person he is and the idea that she was detained at the border is ridiculous. She didn’t appear to be under duress whilst saying her vows.
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I just came across this article:
http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/inside-the-monaco-royal-wedding-charlene-wittstock-addresses-the-rumors/
Inside the Monaco Royal wedding – Charlene Wittstock addresses the rumors.
“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.”
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Did you see who the photographer was – WOW!
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Anyone can spin a story, but her facial expressions and body language at the wedding tell a very different story. I feel so sad for her.
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Oh my goodness…I just fully read the article. How sad. Have a good read of it.
‘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 fifteen 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 athletic approach to her preparation for the day’
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
And from the minder…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 2:00 a.m., but she insisted I drink her coffee while she ordered another one for herself. She is a very grounded girl. 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.”
How very sad. No wonder the women tried to run!
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maybe she was upset because she really loves him but knows deep down he’s a cheater?
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No- doesn’t look like the happiest couple I’ve ever seen. I know it’s difficult to judge from a still photo but that one of them looking at each other- she is crying and he is just, well, glaring at her- strange.
PS- The photo you have listed as Charlotte & Caroline, I think you’ll find it is actually Princess Stephanie, not Caroline.
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Maybe his sisters are mean and bossy …and she is scared of them !!!
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If she really wanted to she could have escaped by swimming out.
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Lol! I thought the same thing!
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haha…….funny…took me a while to get the joke…
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They can’t find each other’s lips when they kiss? They kiss like strangers forced to be intimate. She’s such an incredibly and breath-takingly beautiful woman. She seems so sweet but so timid. What a shame. Where is her mother? Her best friend? Someone to advise her? What a mistake. My heart goes out to her.
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I find the hostage comments odd. Even if he forced her to stay in Monaco, all she had to say was “I don’t want to get married” during the wedding, for all the world to see, and he couldn’t have done a thing.
Perhaps she looks miserable because her wedding because everyone was/is talking about her personal troubles. Doing a bolt before your wedding is not that uncommon. I know a few people who got cold feet and tried to bolt before the wedding. They all got married and are very happy. However their wedding day’s and the weeks after were shit because everyone was gossiping.
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This isn’t particularly related to the article above, but fits in with the comments below, and those I’ve read over the past week or so.
I’m a pretty new reader to Mamamia and while there are some posts I immeadiately click on (like the Open Post), there are others I think ‘meh’ and scroll past (like the Kate Moss Wedding).
My point is, there seems to be a lot of complaining about the subject matter of posts over recent weeks, and a general catty-ness. If the subject isn’t one that sits well with you, then don’t read it. Or, if you do read it and have something constructive to say, then add it – but in a way which is actually constructive opposed to just nasty – if you don’t like a particular article, then make some suggestions for content you WOULD like to see.
Not every article or viewpoint is going to appeal to the entire MM audience.
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Yes Yes Yes! Agreed… Criticism is ok if it’s constructive…
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Yes totally agree!
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Yep – keep the pressure up media outlets – put them in a fish bowl and make it happen.Follow them papparazzi and do not give them a minute’s rest then croon you got it right!!
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Gotta love Mamamia! Enjoyed all the comments. Couldn’t give a rat’s fig about the Grimaldis, but saw the news footage last night and thought ‘uh oh, what’s wrong with this picture?’. I reckon news covers all topics these days- and I love the immediacy of it, as well as the chance to comment. Thanks.
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Surely the chat at the airport went (add French accent): “Come on Charlene, marry the prince then we’ll sort out a nice quiet divorce in 12 months. The (other) crowned heads of Europe are tying up their super-yachts as we speak! The townhouse-sized cake is paid for and the bakery won’t give a refund. This is Monaco, Charlene – people come here to GET divorced. It’ll be a whole less hassle than cancelling this wedding. Hell, we can even sort out an ANNULMENT. We’ve done it before.”
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I find the whole “stopped at the border” stories a little hard to believe.
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Can I just say that comments about Prince Albert’s looks are pretty irrelevant? She’s been with him long enough, she’s obviously ok about being with him, just not being married to him.
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Should she have run? Well didnt she try? Like you say seems more like a hostage situation. You wonder what they could have offered her to stay & go through with it all. Yes alot of correlation with Princess Di, also reminds me of how sad & hollow Katie Holmes looked after she realized the dud she married
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We’ll read her version of events in 10yrs in womans weekly, give it time.
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I would have kicked the police in the balls and id still be running through the woods.
She looks soooooo unhappy. Feel for her.
I cant figure out though in this day and age how you could be forced to marry someone, though I suppose they would had to have cancelled a 3 day event. Tough!
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She stayed cos she couldn’t escape the country!!
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Gross! Charlene has obviously decided money is the order of the day. She will reap HEAPS! More gross! In a fair world, Monaco would not exist. Give it back to France as an anachronistic, medieval tourist attraction.
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I think Prince Albert is really ugly – don’t care HOW rich he is OR that he’s a prince! I’d be running, fast!!!
The other thing that ‘irks’ me about this wedding is that there was a religious ceremony after the civil ceremony so that the Catholic priests could give their blessing to the wedding. I thought having children out of wedlock was a sin if you’re Catholic? Has the catholic church turned a blind eye to his “indiscretions” and “illegitimate children” just because he’s the Prince and future King of Monaco??? Catholic church is so hypocritical – I guess that’s why I’m no longer a catholic.
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It’s a Principality not a Kingdom so there is no king & queen of Monaco, only princes & princesses. Prince Albert is as high as it goes & he is the ruler.
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I didn’t even know he had been in a relationship until the lead up to the wedding the other day! Haven’t looked at the footage or pics, from what I have seen, there does seem to be an element of sorrow there. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.
She reminds me of Princess Buttercup.
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Glad I’m not the only one who thought of Buttercup
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wow, this story has really got some people going. I feel that while the article could be taken as gossip or simular, it could also be taken as an intelligent person examing an event in todays world that does not seem to be black and white. Its a tough call but the advantage of having a smart group of people on this site is that it opens up the discussion.
I checked out the commentary this morning because i love a good royal wedding, but quickly became facinated with the coverage. There is about 2 scenes where Charlene looks even a little happy. Most moments looked filled with stress, unhappyness and discomfort. I don’t know the background of their relationship but i feel that the body language of them both speaks volumes. Their kisses seem to be lacking passion. They do not try to be close to each other, or hold hands in the car. He does not comfort her when she is genuniely crying. Even their first kiss is a slight peck, and the Prince is actually looking away. I would not bank on this union being a happy one at all.
I only hope i am wrong.
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Mia, I am really disappointed at the direction your site is taking with this article Other s of late have also been quite sad – but this royal couple article – we have no idea how either of them feel -the position you have taken is utter speculatio and I feel like im reading a trashy mag than something from a educated woman with some substance i’m disappointed
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I think their body language is telling the story.
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Kim, you’re right. Until Prince Albert and/or Princess Charlene give an interview, speculation about the circumstances around their wedding and marriage are indeed that: speculation.
But this story is leading news bulletins and newspaper coverage around the world.
Everywhere I have been today – from the make-up room at Channel 9 to the set to the office….everyone is talking about this story.
How could we not cover it?
Did you feel the same way when we covered Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton?
I’m satisfied with the level of sourced material that these news reports have been based on, as well as my own eyes which have seen the wedding footage and read about the paternity tests and Prince Albert’s other children.
I believe it’s a legitimate story for us to publish in a week where we’ve covered our signature wild mix of topics from Coal Seam Gas exploration to Dominic Strauss Kahn, the anniversary of Dr Victor Chang’s death, the claim that pop music has become porn, Kate Moss’s wedding, mother-in-laws, beauty products, sex education, labiaplasty, career vs kids, influential young adult fiction and dozens of other stories.
Not every post will be to the liking of every reader.
But the diversity you see today – just like every day – is what makes Mamamia unique and we proudly stand by it.
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By the way of contrast, I came to Mamamia today specifically to read commentary about this.
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Good stuff- a great mix on this site- love it!
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“Everyone one else is doing it so we can too”. Doesn’t make it right. And the Today Show has become a repetitive cycle of tabloid journalism also. Says a lot about the current state of the Australian mainstream media.
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Hi Mia – isn’t the argument ‘we covered it because everyone else is’ the total opposite of your approach on St Kilda schoolgirl? Didn’t you say just because everyone else was reporting it WASN’T a reason to join in?
(Personally, I don’t ever want to hear of that girl again, just interested in the distinction)
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I didn’t mind the article but the headline is very teenage-y. Although it’s unusual, it’s probably not the weirdest royal wedding EVER. “Like, whatever”. Your site is doing a lot of these ‘trendy speak’ headlines lately, and I think they cheapen the writing of your excellent commentators. Just sayin’.
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Would I have run? You betcha! Faster than Cathy Freeman,
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I should pay money to see that!
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LOLLING LOL
Thanks Rick!! Apologies Mrs W but did get a wonderful word picture. Xx
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Hey, you\’re the goto epxert. Thanks for hanging out here.
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EAvVre cgoruusgtcbs
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At least the world’s first Princess Charlene was not from Australia.
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It’s a bit drastic to imply that she’s been forced down the aisle. There are probably millions of explanations, but I guess the most dramatic one is the best one to generate headlines.
Maybe she was stressed and freaked out because she’s about to be compared and judged in every single way by the media to Kate Middleton and the UK wedding? (mamamia I’m looking at you)
Or perhaps she was scared of having the world’s press staring at her for an entire day?
Or is she someone who just doesn’t show affection easily in public?
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if you dont like the public eye you don’t start dating a prince. You know what follows him around daily.
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Am SO confused…
Did she LITERALLY try to bolt but her passport was taken away from her and she was forced to marry him!?
That doesn’t make sense…..
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Charlene is over 30 so presumably she is old enough to know what she is doing. There is nothing wrong with a business type arranged marriage, just so long as both parties are “in” on the arrangement. I think that is the tragedy of Diana Spencer, she was too young to understand the arrangement.
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Dear Princess Charlene,
If, in fact, you were trying to escape Evil Albert’s clutches, I suggest you visit Blockbuster and spend a weekend with Belle and Ariel et al.
You’re just not doing it right.
With love,
……
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so funny!!! I’d pay that one. Well done! Cheers!
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It’s probably more of a business arrangement than a marriage for love! Maybe she’s using her head & not her heart!
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He certainly doesn’t look like he’s happily in love either!
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She has dated him for 6 years, she knows his past history.
There are no border checkpoints within Europe except at airports, Monaco is smaller than driving across one side of Sydney to another.
Her parents were there. If she really wanted out there are plenty of ways to leave that would be unable to be stopped.
Let’s face it, you can forgive a hell of a lot of goings on when you have money to cushion the blow.
She will pop out 2 kids then she will be left alone in a private house somewhere in Monnaco to be put on view on important occasions.
Of course she has done a deal. Millions of dollars and a life of leisure for an hier and a spare. Not bad for 3 days work.
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Actually Paul, that’s not true. There are checkpoints within Europe and some of them are still actively being used. We still have to have our passports with our when driving through Europe.
The fact that they forced her to marry me really frightens me. He gives me the creeps.
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Didn’t she try to leave three times?
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Ok … so she does look sad, perhaps nervous but then she could have been overwhelmed at the thought of having to say hello to 800 guests at their reception! Call me cynical but who said money isn’t attractive, the man is old, not overly attractive, has a long public history of struggling with monogamy, balding and well frankly completely out of her league … so why is she staying. I am sure there is so much more to this story than we could even imagine. If it is true that she has been forced to stay against her will that is very sad for a supposedly democratic nation but whatever the truth we will never know.
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Not sure about Monaco, but in Australia, being forced into a marriage is called duress and grounds for an annulment…just saying.
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Are his children ‘out of wedlock’ not sufficient heirs? Assume they are not and this is why he is getting married. Anyone know?
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Yup, they don’t count. He needs children from a legal wife to produce an heir.
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Its like the Tudors!!
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This is so shallow of me but he is one gooby guy. He’s just gross and I could not believe it when I heard this story for the first time. The blatant corruptness – the whole world knows she’s basically been forced and taken hostage, yet she still is powerless to do anything about it (so it seems)…I’ve got an awful feeling, like Diana, this might all end tragically. God, I feel sorry for her…
And hear hear for Kate and Will. He seems like such a together, warm and genuine guy (so does she for that matter).
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The poor woman looks devestated. At the risk of sounding insensitive, she looks gorgeous and the dress is beautiful. But, she obviously is not happy and I really feel sorry for her.
I can’t believe they confiscated her passport! Apparently, her free will is not that important…
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Don’t know about the princess-held-hostage stuff, but did anyone notice the military uniform Albert was wearing (i presume it’s a Naval uniform) with a chestfull of medals. Given Monaco is the size of a postage stamp, and is to all intents and purposes part of France, what armed forces does Monaco actually possess? Does he just like dressing up as a sailor? Look’s pretty weird to me.
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