Prince Albert and Charlene Royal Wedding: The Armani Prive Custom Gown!!!

Prince Albert and Charlene Royal Wedding: The Armani Prive Custom Gown!!!

Wedding Gown Perfection...

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco

As you may know--from reading my blog--Prince Albert II of Monaco just wed Charlene Wittstock, a "commoner" (just like his mother, Princess Grace), former South African Olympic Swimmer born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The Civil Ceremony occurred yesterday and today was the Religious one--in other words: THE GOWN!!!!

Palace TV Screens: The Prince Albert and Charlene Royal Wedding, Monaco

The tiny Principality of Monaco was all "abuzz" this weekend for all the Royal Wedding festivities; streets were cleaned, flags were displayed and the Palace"Queened Out", as I like to say, for the Royal Wedding. It was "released" a while back that the bride--who as of yesterday is Princess Charlene of Monaco---was going to wear a wedding dress by Italian designer Giorgio Armani and his Armani Prive Haute Couture line.

Armani Silk: Princess Charlene of Monaco in her Armani Prive Custom Wedding Gown

Her gown was SUBLIME, to say the least: An off-the-shoulder fitted silk gown featuring a center front seam and French darts, as well as hand-embroidered Swarovski Austrian crystals. Princess Charlene--as I mentioned above--is an Olympic Swimmer and well, she has got a FAB shoulder-to-shoulder ratio--so it was no surprise that she would opt for an off-the-shoulder gown that would highlight this very strong physical feature of hers (not to mention the rest of her statuesque figure). It also makes sense to go the complete opposite of that infamous Princess Grace Wedding Gown from the 1956 wedding, designed by MGM Costume Designer Helen Rose (above).

The silhouette was "fit-and-flare" and also had a "Watteau"-like VERY LONG and DRAMATIC train that originated from her top back section (see photo above).

The silk tulle veil was perfectly draped above her up-do back chignon--which was accented by diamond hair jewelry. No tiara kids, in case you were wondering.

Her father walked her down the open air "Monaco Red Carpet" aisle and into the Palace Church. The wedding was picture perfect--just like the Bride and her over $100,000 Custom gown.

Click Below for the Video of the Prince Albert and Charlene Royal Wedding:

Royal Fashion Minute: Monaco Concert for Prince Albert II and Charlene Wedding!

Royal Fashion Minute: Monaco Concert for Prince Albert II and Charlene Wedding!

A Royal Concert...

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene on stage with French singer Jean-Michel Jarre, Royal Wedding Concert

Tonight, following the Civil Ceremony of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock (now Princess Charlene), there was a "Celebration in Honor of the Wedding" music concert in Monaco's Port Hercules with French singer Jean-Michel Jarre and of course, the new bride and groom attended--as well as close family and Top Young European Royals:

Princess Caroline of Hanover and her children, Charlotte, Andrea, Pierre and Alexandra, leaving the Prince's Palace to attend the Concert

Princess Caroline of Hanover and her daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi--Caroline wore blue Chanel and her daughter, was in ivory organza and sequin drop-waist Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2011 (sans the pants)

The Danish Royal House of Glücksburg were present in Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary (right) as well as Prince Joaquim and Princess Marie (left)--It's all about the peep-toe pump for these Princesses. I like both dresses but Mary's salmon-colored one-shoulder dress, I admit, is my favorite!

Belgium: The Duke and Duchess of Brabant, Prince Philippe and Mathilde of Belgium--Mathilde wore an emerald green silk cowl-neck dress with a side draped skirt, and matching strappy heels.

The Netherlands: Princess Maxima and Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange and heir apparent to the throne of The Netherlands--Maxima looked chic in a one-shoulder twisted knot dress

Norway: HRH Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway--wearing an ivory dress with lace neck detail.

William and Catherine Royal Wedding Guests Red Carpet Fashion Report: Part 2!

William and Catherine Royal Wedding Guests Red Carpet Fashion Report: Part 2!

Westminster Abbey Red Carpet Continues...

Proper Becks: David and Victoria Beckham

Footballer and all-around HUNK, David Beckham--and his wife Victoria--were "special guests" of William and Catherine and EVERYONE was awaiting their arrival. They stood with the rest of the invited guests in the "You Are Not Real Royalty" line--it's like an "Economy Class" Airport Security Line (as opposed to Premium Class). Needless to say, they acted and looked very Posh & Proper.

David, always a dandy when it comes to style looked handsome in his Morning Suit with top hat and silver satin cravat. Although many are docking him style points for apparently wearing his Office of the British Empire Medal on the wrong lapel!! Que Horror!

Besides those SKY HIGH Stilettos (hello, isn't she like 6 months pregnant??), Miss Victoria wore...

A tent-like dress from her own Victoria Beckham Fall/Winter 2011/12 Collection, seen above on the runway in brick red. Hers was a dark (almost black) navy blue. Her hat was from Philip Treacy. I really thought Mrs. Beckham was going to wear a "Va Va Voom" fitted dress that she would have had custom made to fit her growing tummy. But nope, she went the comfy route.

The Other Queen: Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish

Sir Elton John and David Furnish also went the Posh & Proper route, both choosing to wear elegant Morning Suits--as was suggested...strike that!... REQUIRED, in the Wedding Invitation. Many people expected Miss Elton to be all crazy and wear a fuchsia Versace suit but really kids, he hasn't done that in years and he knows that a Royal Wedding is NOT the place and time for that. I liked how Elton was the one giving you hints of color with his lemon yellow waistcoat/vest and violet tie. Proper...but with a "twist".

Cobalt Lady: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

Socialite, "It Girl", TV presenter and all around "British Paris Hilton" TPT (as she's dubbed in the UK) wore cobalt blue HEAD TO TOE, with her dress matching her hat, gloves, shoes and clutch. When I first saw her on TV lining up in that "Economy Class Westminster Abbey Line", I was like "WHO is Miss FIERCE???". Leave it to Tara to not want to blend in. No pastels or blush colors for her, darling! I think she's FAB! I love women who KNOW they have an "Inner Drag Queen" and aren't afraid to use it! Especially at Royal weddings! How did she get invited again???

Swedish Class: Crown Princess Victoria in Elie Saab Spring/Summer 2011--and her husband, Prince Daniel of Sweden

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (she's going to be Queen someday!) was one of my favorite royals at the William & Catherine Wedding. She looked every inch a "modern/next generation" princess. No fussy suits, no coat-and dress combination. Nope, just a sexy, side gathered salmon-colored dress from Lebanese designer Elie Saab and a variation on a dress from his Ready-to-Wear Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. A wide brimmed hat and matching shoes finished off her look. Why, though, is there something about Daniel that makes me want to slap him upside the head? Like a student who's trying to get one over on me...that's what he reminds of...Just sayin'

The New Grace Kelly: Prince Albert of Monaco with his fiancée, Charlene Wittstock

And then there's Prince Albert's fiancée, the statuesque Charlene Wittstock, who was born in the former British colony of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Their upcoming nuptials on July 2, 2011 is THE next "Royal Wedding of The Century" in case you wanted to know and Armani is designing her wedding gown. Until then, we can all live in the splendor that is Charlene above as she arrives--Prince in hand. Dove-gray princess seamed coat, stand-up Peter Pan collar, gloves, clutch, nude heels and sleek wide-brimmed hat. Her mother "done taught her right". She knows what it takes to look like a Royal darlings. Seriously.