A heady mix of stars, royals and world leaders at Monaco wedding
(CBS/AP)When Monaco's Prince Albert married Charlene Wittstock in an extravagant religious ceremony Saturday, the audience of international celebrities and royalty brought new allure to the tiny principality known for its luxurious casinos and as stomping ground for the rich and famous.
Saturday's ceremony was attended by guests including Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, former James Bond actor Roger Moore and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Thousands of Monaco's residents cheered the proceedings while watching on large screens set up outside the palace, where both ceremonies were held.
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Pictures: Charlene Wittstock
Pictures: The Religious Ceremony
Pictures: Wedding preparations
Special section: Monaco's royal wedding
With photographers shouting for the attention of the A-list guests as they streamed into the palace, the wedding had something of the flavor of a star-studded red carpet at the film festival in neighboring Cannes.
British actor Roger Moore, a longtime Monaco resident and a former James Bond, lent a touch of secret agent glamour. The carpet might as well have been a catwalk for British model Naomi Campbell, an old flame of the bridegroom's, and Czech supermodel Karolina Kurkova.
Royal guests included monarchs from Denmark, Belgium and Sweden. Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the world's Ismaili Muslims, and Empress Farah Pahlavi, wife of Iran's deposed shah, chatted with former French first lady Bernadette Chirac inside the palace.
The last guest to enter according to protocol, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, elicited extensive applause and hoots of approval in what was likely the warmest welcome the leader, whose popularity ratings hover at record lows, has received in a long time.
The most enthusiastic welcome was reserved for the bride and members of the Grimaldi family, one of Europe's oldest dynasties. Albert's sisters, Princesses Stephanie and Caroline, both looked fetching in their short taupe dresses, Caroline's steely blue eyes hidden behind the oversized brim of her hat. Her daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, who is on the list ofworld's most beautiful royals, was breathtaking in a pink off-the-shoulder cocktail dress by Chanel.