As the sun dipped low over the hills on the picturesque island of Spetses, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, for years one of Europe's most eligible bachelors, promised to love and honour events planner Tatiana Blatnik in a ceremony that mixed pomp with traditional touches.
A cheer went up from the crowd when Nikolaos, 40, the third of King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie's five children, arrived at the whitewashed monastery of Ayios Nikolaos, accompanied by his mother. Constantine was deposed in 1974 – but it was clear from the hundreds of enthusiastic well-wishers clamouring to greet the groom that the family still has a hold on the public imagination.
Also lending an aura of royal glamour to the occasion was the dazzling array of distinguished guests, decked out in full evening attire. Expectant Princess Mary, her blossoming figure swathed in a pretty patterned gown, represented the Danish royal family, along with her mother-in-law, Queen Margrethe , who is Anne-Marie's sister – making her the groom's aunt.
Nikolaos' aunt on his father's side, Queen Sofia of Spain attended with her children. Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and her new husband Prince Daniel, just back from their own honeymoon a few weeks ago were also in the congregation. Of course, though, the bride was the one everyone wanted to see. Sweeping up to the monastery in the horse-drawn carriage that is customary on the island, Tatiana, who works for Diane von Furstenberg, more than lived up to the expectations.
Every inch the princess, Nikolaos' bride was breathtaking in an ivory Angel Sanchez gown with a chantilly lace overlay, teamed with a matching bolero and full-length veil. Completing the regal yet feminine look was a pair of diamond drop earrings and the antique corsage tiara, lent by her new mother-in-law.
Since her own father sadly passed away when she was small, the 29-year-old was escorted up the aisle by her stepfather Attilio Brillembourg. Once inside the elegant blonde received a wedding band to complement a stunning engagement ring, topped with a sapphire that was given to Nikolaos by his mother, who received it from her own parents, King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark.
Having arrived at Ms Tatiana Blatnik, she left HRH Princess Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark. But the applause that rang out from the throngs when she received a passionate kiss from her groom appeared to be prompted as much by the sight of a couple deeply in love as by thoughts of their status.
