Stars come out for Monaco’s princely wedding

Organisers hope the glamour of the spectacle will overshadow what senior Monaco officials now privately admit is the ‘truth’ of the rumour that Albert II faces a paternity test following a claim by at least one former lover.

Reports the South African princess was furious and threatened to leave when she learned her prince’s latest secret marred the build-up to the wedding,but the event itself has gone smoothly and the Monegasques are philosophical.

“We can’t remake the prince. It’s a modern marriage. Charlene has known him for a long time and accepts it,” shrugged a 30-something wellwisher,insisting on remaining anonymous like most of Monaco’s 7,810-strong native population.

Albert,at 53 two decades older than his blonde bride,has two children from previous relationships,but even if a third or a fourth is confirmed he will still not have an official heir until his lawful wife bears him one.

“We just want the Grimaldi dynasty to continue,” said a 72-year-old Monegasque,a direct descendant of a group of Genoan migrants who settled the rocky Riviera outcrop and future tax haven in 1775.

Charlene appeared tense but poised at her civil marriage ceremony on Friday in the throne room of her palace,but relaxed slightly at a buffet reception for Monaco’s people,where she posed for pictures and hugged babies.

Later,she and the prince joined an estimated 80,000 people,double the normal population of the state,at the waterfront for a spectacular sound and light show by veteran French electropop pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre.