Princess Charlène: Her wedding dress, with over 40,000 glittering stones, is one of the most magnificent in the world

Princess Charlene, 47, and Prince Albert, 67, exchanged vows not once, but twice in 2011 – and, in keeping with the tradition, on two consecutive days. On July 1 and 2, the couple celebrated their love with a civil and a church wedding, accompanied by lavish festivities that remain unforgettable to this day. Charlene's bridal looks, in particular, are firmly anchored in the fashion history of the principality.

Princess Charlène: An unconventional appearance at the registry office

Many brides choose a white dress for their civil ceremony. Charlène, however, deliberately opted for something different: a tailor-made ensemble by fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld in vibrant turquoise. The strapless gown flatters her figure, the skirt drapes softly and flowingly, while a color-coordinated blazer in a slightly darker shade is layered discreetly over the top for the ceremony.

Charlène wears her blonde hair in an elegant, voluminous chignon with a side parting—perfect for drawing attention to the striking necklace she'll be sporting that evening. Later, at the big concert, she removes the blazer, revealing her athletically toned figure, which she owes to her career as a professional swimmer.

According to reports, Charlène deliberately avoided a white gown for the civil ceremony so as not to steal the spotlight from the wedding dress the following day. Furthermore, it is said that the turquoise not only emphasized her eye color but was also a tribute to her past in the water.

On July 2, 2011, the moment finally arrived: Charlène unveiled her wedding dress – a custom-made Armani gown, one of the most elaborate wedding dresses in the world. Crafted from luxurious satin, the gown captivates with its understated elegance and a Bardot neckline that accentuates her shoulders. A double-breasted veil conceals her face until Prince Albert lifts it in the church.

The figure-hugging cut emphasizes her toned figure, while 40,000 Swarovski crystals and 20,000 delicately handcrafted pearls add sparkle to the gown. According to the designer, an impressive 2,000 hours of work went into this masterpiece. The veil itself is rather simple, with small pearls at the hem, but the five-meter-long train made of silk and tulle is a spectacular eye-catcher. Another 100 hours were spent on this train alone.

Diamond flowers in the hair

The bride's jewelry is understated. Her elegant chignon is adorned only with a flower-shaped barrette crafted from sparkling diamonds. This special piece was lent to her by her sister-in-law, Caroline of Hanover, who is known for her fashion sense.

ran Brigitte

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