Within a span of 1 month there have been two Royal marriages in two of Europe’s most well know royal families.
Prince William and Catherine Middleton
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, married his long time girlfriend Catherine Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. The royal wedding was held on the 29th of April, 2011 in London’s Westminster Abbey; the same place where Prince Williams parents (Prince Charles and Lady Diana) was married. Although the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana was far grander and more ostentatious, Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding too was ceremonial and impressive. The day of their marriage was a public holiday in Britain and the newly married royal couple travelled in an open carriage on the streets of London. All aspects of the wedding, from Catherine Middleton’s wedding dress to the food at the reception to the cost of the wedding to the role of different Royal agencies to the best man (Prince Harry) to Catherine Middleton’ sister (Pippa), were covered in dept by the world’s media.
At the time of their marriage, both Prince William and Catherine Middleton were 29 years old. They had first met in 2001 at the University of St Andrews, which is the oldest university inScotland.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco
The civil wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco took place on July 1, 2011 and a lavish religious wedding took place on July 2, 2011. The 53 year old prince is the head of the House of Grimaldi, who are the rulers of the Principality of Monaco. Prince Albert II is son of Prince Rainer III and Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. Prince Albert II of Monaco has never been married, although he has two children out of wedlock.
Princess Charlene of Monaco is a former South African Olympic swimmer. She was a member of the South African women’s 4×100 m medley swimming team that took part at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. At the time of Princess Charlene’s marriage to Prince Albert II of Monaco, she was 33 years old. The royal couple first met in 2000 and has been together since 2006.
Even before the ink on the marriage certificate has dried, there are rumors of marital problems between Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco. It will be interesting to see whether this marriage lasts the course.
