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Inside Prince Albert's 'Glitterati' Guest List

Invites went out to designers, models, athletes

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 1, 2011 9:49 AM CDT | Updated Jul 1, 2011 9:55 AM CDT

(AP) – France's richest man, a prince from South Africa, and a James Bond actor are among the glitterati converging on Monaco this week for the much-anticipated nuptials between Prince Albert II and former South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock. It's the first wedding of a reigning prince in the tiny Riviera principality since Hollywood icon Grace Kelly walked down the aisle with Albert's late father, Prince Rainier, more than 50 years ago. Top names on the list included Sir Roger Moore, who played British spy 007 in the 1970s and '80s, Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, US soprano Renee Fleming, and Bernard Arnault, the wealthiest man in France.

Italian designers Roberto Cavalli and Giorgio Armani were also on the list with Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova, and other supermodels. Royals, heads of state, and a number of athletes including gymnast Nadia Comenici rounded out the guest list. The festivities kicked off last night with a concert by, of all bands, the Eagles. "The music is nice but it's kind of beside the point," said a 27-year-old who grew up in Monaco. "We're just so happy that the prince is finally getting married, they could be playing whatever."

Tourists take pictures by a flag reading Prince wedding, Monaco, July 2011 in Monaco, Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Tourists take pictures by a flag reading "Prince wedding, Monaco, July 2011" in Monaco, Thursday, June 30, 2011.   (Lionel Cironneau)
The Monte Carlo Casino is reflected in a water fountain, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.
The Monte Carlo Casino is reflected in a water fountain, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.   (Francois Mori)
A guard stands at the entrance of Monaco Palace Thursday, June 30, 2011.
A guard stands at the entrance of Monaco Palace Thursday, June 30, 2011.   (Claude Paris)
Flags hang outside the Monaco Palace in Monaco, Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Flags hang outside the Monaco Palace in Monaco, Thursday, June 30, 2011.   (Lionel Cironneau)
An apartment block is decorated with Monaco flags, in Monaco, Thursday, June 30, 2011, where Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, of South Africa, will wed Friday and Saturday.
An apartment block is decorated with Monaco flags, in Monaco, Thursday, June 30, 2011, where Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, of South Africa, will wed Friday and Saturday.   (Lionel Cironneau)
A man walks on a bridge decorated with banners promoting the Prince's wedding, in Monaco, Thursday, June 30, 2011.
A man walks on a bridge decorated with banners promoting the Prince's wedding, in Monaco, Thursday, June 30, 2011.   (Lionel Cironneau)
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiance Charlene Wittstock arrive to a concert by The Eagles at the Stade Louis II, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiance Charlene Wittstock arrive to a concert by The Eagles at the Stade Louis II, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiance Charlene Wittstock talk prior a concert by US band The Eagles at the Stade Louis II, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiance Charlene Wittstock talk prior a concert by US band The Eagles at the Stade Louis II, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiance Charlene Wittstock pose for photographers prior a concert by US band The Eagles, at the Stade Louis II, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiance Charlene Wittstock pose for photographers prior a concert by US band The Eagles, at the Stade Louis II, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiance Charlene Wittstock hold a guitar offered by US band The Eagles before their concert at the Stade Louis II, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiance Charlene Wittstock hold a guitar offered by US band The Eagles before their concert at the Stade Louis II, Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Monaco.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
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Prince Albert II • Monaco • Charlene Wittstock • royal wedding

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