Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco’s royal wedding took place 13 years ago this July. The couple, who met in the early 2000s when Charlene was a competitive swimmer for South Africa, made their official debut together during the 2006 Winter Olympics and got engaged in 2010.
The couple’s wedding took place over the course of two days. It was, however, the July 2, 2011, nuptials that garnered the most attention for the couple. (The two had a private civil ceremony on July 1, 2011.)
Ahead, learn more about the little details that went into Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco’s royal wedding in July 2011.
The Engagement Ring
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, then Charlene Wittstock, announced their engagement in June 2010. In the months that followed, the couple made public appearances together, where the glittering engagement ring was on full display.
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Princess Charlene’s engagement ring consists of a three-carat, pear-shaped diamond surrounded by smaller stones. The ring was designed by Italian jewelry house Repossi. The ring is estimated to be worth more than $65,000.
The Dress
For the religious wedding ceremony on July 2, 2011, Princess Charlene wore a gown designed by Giorgio Armani. The off-white column gown was made of duchess silk satin and featured a bevy of glittering elements, as well as a long train measuring roughly 16 feet.
The modern look was a departure from classic gowns, like that of Prince Albert II’s mother Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. (Kate Middleton and Prince William wed roughly three months before Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II in April 2011.)
Among the details of the dress, the gown included a contemporary crossover neckline. Along the front of the dress were roughly 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 20,000 mother-of-pearl teardrops and roughly 30,000 gold stones that created a delicate floral design embroidered along the front of the bodice and down the front skirt of the gown, spreading out closer to the hemline.
Ceremony and Guests
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene’s religious ceremony took place at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco. The venue featured a long red carpet for Princess Charlene and her father, Michael Kenneth Wittstock, to walk down as the ceremony began. Roughly 3,500 guests were in attendance for the courtyard ceremony, with large screens erected so more could watch the ceremony unfold.
Among the high-profile guests who were in attendance, Britain’s Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Naomi Campbell, Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld.
Years Later
Following their nuptials, Princess Charlene and Prince Ablert II welcomed twins in December 2014 — Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques. Throughout 2024, the couple has made several public appearances together, including an outing with their children at the 2024 Monaco E-Prix on April 27. As of July, the couple has been married for 13 years.
