It takes a certain Je ne sais quoi to catch – and hold – the eye of a prince. Mary Donaldson, Maxima Zorreguieta and Kate Middleton all had what it takes, and now a brand new player is throwing her hat into the ring alongside Europe's royal ladies. In 2013, society princess Tatiana Santo Domingo will become the real thing when she weds Monaco's Andrea Casiraghi – who is currently second in line to the principality's throne in lieu of Prince Albert's heirs.
A "happy" Princess Caroline confirmed her son's engagement to the alluring brunette who is the granddaughter of Colombia's $6bn magnate, the late Julio Mario Santo Domingo. Aside from her family's financial credentials, Tatiana stands on her own as a force to be reckoned with. She was born in Geneva, to the late Julio Mario Santo Domingo Jr and Vera Rechulski , a vivacious Brazilian socialite who hails from Sao Paolo but now lives in Paris. Younger brother Julio Mario Santo Domingo III completed the family unit, and may be the one who gives his sister away after their father succumbed to cancer in 2009.
After an idyllic childhood in Switzerland, Tatiana, a skilled linguist who speaks five languages, attended Paris boarding school, Lycée Fontainebleau.It was in the French capital that she would meet the man who will soon become her husband. The thoroughbred beauty – famed for her flowing locks, natural aura and bohemian style – will no doubt bring added interest to the royal set when she joins next year. Vanity Fair awarded her a spot on their international best dressed list in 2010. Savvy Tatiana has used her love of fashion to create the ethical retail portal Muzungu Sisters, which she heads with her business partner Dana Alikhani.
The pair travel the globe, championing fair trade by snapping up artisan garments which are then sold on to their inner-fashionista circle as high-end threads. Tatiana's mastery of Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French and English have been useful in her international business dealings. Her brand is nurtured and supported by a close-knit circle of friends, including Italian fashion heiress Margherita Missoni, Eugenie Niarchos of the Greek shipping family, and future sister-in-law, Charlotte Casiraghi. Despite clocking up seven years as Andrea's girlfriend, Tatiana exudes humility and has perfected the art of being a discreet yet supportive consort.
Her low-key approach is no doubt something the Monegasque royals – Caroline in particular – appreciate.In this special HELLO! Online report, we join free spirit and royal-in-waiting Tatiana as she travels the globe in the name of fair trade and fashion.
