"He's the man I dreamed of. He's perfect for me in every way," Charlene Wittstock has previously said of her fiancé Prince Albert of Monaco.And sitting side by side, exchanging frequent glances and laughs in their first TV interview together, the nearlyweds clearly looked excited about the three-day celebration in which they plan to celebrate their love.
The couple threw open the doors of Monaco Palace, which has housed generations of the Grimaldi clan in splendour since 13th century, to German channel ZDF.Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer, who was born in Zimbabwe and moved with her family to South Africa in 1989, looked pretty in a summery polka dot number.
She spoke with a slight African accent and answered questions with the natural composure and graciousness, for which she's come to be known.
Of course, the topic of children came up, and the 33-year-old, jumped in eagerly with a response. "Can I answer that?" she asked Albert before declaring enthusiastically: "I personally want to have children. I love children, and I simply can't wait to have a family of my own. "Her 53-year-old husband-to-be quickly chimed in by saying, "I agree!"The religious wedding ceremony on July 2, will be a romantic open air affair, held under Monaco's famously blue skies, in the Palace courtyard, explained Albert.It was chosen by the bride and groom for reasons of space. The courtyard holds 800 people, some 300 more than Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where his parents Princess Grace and Prince Rainier wed.Guests will include family, foreign royals, their friends from the Olympic movement and also artists and musicians.At this point in the chat, Charlene playfully chided her fiancé, telling him not to "give too much away".
But the happy couple have already revealed many details of the celebration. Such as their wish to share the festivities with "their fellow citizens", hosting a series of concerts and light shows, open to all locals and featuring Mediterranean ports and historic venues as the stunning backdrop.It's also known that the statuesque former athlete will sashay down the aisle in a Giorgio Armani creation.Their choice of transport on the day will be an eco-conscious Lexus.It's a telling choice for Albert. In the interview he stresses that the principality is looking to the future and turning its back on a former reputation as a tax evaders' paradise and haven for financial irregularities.Under his leadership the jet-set retreat is repositioning itself as a champion for the environment and charitable causes.And with his down-to-earth princess-bride by his side, the prince, has found a fantastic ambassadress to help promote his vision of a modern Monaco.