Sunday, 3 July 2011

Is this the world's biggest wedding cake? Princess Charlene and Prince Albert's lavish wedding night party

There were reports that their wedding cake might not be as extravagant as Prince Rainer's when he married Grace Kelly.

But it appears that Prince Albert of Monaco and his new bride Princess Charlene definitely pulled out all of the stops by ensuring their cake came out tops.

The five tier cake was truly exceptional and dwarfed the couple as they stood next to it and prepared to cut a much smaller version for their guests.

Always keen to pay homage to her roots Princess Charlene ensured the cake was also decorated with Proteas, South Africa's national flower.

Is this the world's biggest wedding cake? Prince Albert and Princess Charlene cut their wedding cake at the Gala Dinner

Is this the world's biggest wedding cake? Prince Albert and Princess Charlene cut their wedding cake at the Gala Dinner

More relaxed: Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Princess of Monaco arrive for the official wedding dinner and ball at the Opera Garnier in Monaco
Party time: Princess Charlen and Prince Albert open the ball following their religious ceremony

More relaxed: Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Princess of Monaco arrive for the official wedding dinner and ball at the Opera Garnier in Monaco and right, their first dance

Spectacular: A general view of fireworks during the festivities which took place after the religious ceremony

Spectacular: A general view of fireworks during the festivities which took place after the religious ceremony

Lavish: Royals, VIPs and dignitaries from across the world attended the wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco

Lavish: Royals, VIPs and dignitaries from across the world attended the wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco

Sleek: Charlene's Armani evening gown showcased her athletic figure

Sleek: Charlene's Armani evening gown showcased her athletic figure

And with the civil and religious ceremony out of the way, it was finally time for Prince Albert of Monaco and his bride Princess Charlene to let their hair down.

But with the bride and groom being royals, the reception wasn't such a relaxed affair as the average wedding.

After dazzling everyone in an Giorgio Armani bridal gown, Charlene, 33, changed into an Armani Prive cocktail dress for the official reception and ball.

A contrast to her silk wedding gown with five-metre long train, which included 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 20,000 mother of pearl tear drops, the evening's dress was fortunately a more lightweight affair.

Red carpet arrival: The couple ate food cooked by acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse at the reception

Red carpet arrival: The couple ate food cooked by acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse at the reception

Picturesque: The couple walk through the green terraces at the opera house, where they will eat dinner

Picturesque: The couple walk through the green terraces at the opera house, where they will eat dinner

The slimline gown included a sheer top and four tiered skirt, which she paired with white peep-toe heels and a tiny clutchbag.

The new Princess also wore her hair swept back, similar to the tight chignon she wore during the religious ceremony in the courtyard of the Prince's Palace.

Her husband, 53, complemented his new wife in a cream jacket with his medals attached and black trousers.

Although she appeared rather strained or nervous during the ceremony earlier that day, the former Olympian swimmer looked far more relaxed for the evening's festivities.

Just hours after sitting through a church mass, the 450 VIPs, dignitaries and European royals did a quick change into their ballgowns and tails for the after-party at the Opera Garnier.

Siblings: Prince Albert was joined at the party by his sisters Princess Caroline of Hanover (front) and Princess Stephanie of Monaco (behind)

Siblings: Prince Albert was joined at the party by his sisters Princess Caroline of Hanover (front) and Princess Stephanie of Monaco (behind)

The next generation: Princess Caroline's children (L-R) Pierre Casiraghi, Charlotte Casiraghi and Andrea Casiraghi looked dapper

The next generation: Princess Caroline's children (L-R) Pierre Casiraghi, Charlotte Casiraghi and Andrea Casiraghi looked dapper

Representing Britain for Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess Of Wessex, who looked regal in royal blue gown and tiara.

Also in attendance was the Prince and Princess Michael Of Kent.

Prince Albert was joined at the reception by his glamorous sisters Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stephanie Of Monaco and their children.

Celebrity guests: Former Bond actor Roger Moore and his wife Kristina (left) and Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh and her husband, FIA President Jean Todt
Celebrity guests: Former Bond actor Roger Moore and his wife Kristina (left) and Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh and her husband, FIA President Jean Todt

Celebrity guests: Former Bond actor Roger Moore and his wife Kristina (left) and Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh and her husband, FIA President Jean Todt

Regal: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (left) and French singer Jean Michel Jarre and his date arrive
Regal: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (left) and French singer Jean Michel Jarre and his date arrive

Regal: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (left) and French singer Jean Michel Jarre and his date arrive

Princess Caroline, 54, wore a blue lace dress and tiara, while her younger sister Stephanie, 46, wore a grey lace number.

Celebrated French-born chef Alain Ducasse prepared the multi-course dinner for 450 guests, which would take place on the seaview terraces of the Opera House.

Ducasse, who like many in his tax bracket has taken Monegasque citizenship, is the first chef to earn three Michelin stars in three different cities, including three for his Louis XV restaurant in Monaco.

The in-laws: Charlene's brothers Sean and Gareth looked dapper as they arrive with a female companion

The in-laws: Charlene's brothers Sean and Gareth looked dapper as they arrive with a female companion

He has said freshly caught fish and vegetables grown on Albert's farm would be on the menu and he had enlisted 350 staff to help him.

After their wedding blessing, Albert and Charlene made a brief visit to the Sainte Devote Church to lay the bride's bouquet inside, a Monegasque tradition.

They then delighted locals by riding along in a Lexus Hybrid in the official wedding procession.

Scandinavian royals: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden (left) and their daughter Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland
Scandinavian royals: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden (left) and their daughter Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland

Scandinavian royals: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden (left) and their daughter Princess Madeleine, Duchess of Hälsingland and Gästrikland

Lavish: (L-R) Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium and
Lavish: (L-R) Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark walks behind Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium

Lavish: (L-R) Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark walks behind Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium

Among the celebrity guests were supermodel Naomi Campbell and actor Roger Moore.

Campbell - who had attended Kate Moss's wedding in England only 24 hours earlier - told reporters: 'It was very elegant, very moving.'

The festivities come a day after they legally wed in a civil ceremony in the principality.

Glamour: (L-R) Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro and Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
Glamour: (L-R) Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro and Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro and Prince Henri of Orleans, Count of Paris and wife Micaela Cousino Quinones de Leon

Glamour: (L-R) Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro and Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro and Prince Henri of Orleans, Count of Paris and wife Micaela Cousino Quinones de Leon

Grandiose: The Opera Garnier, where the official dinner and ball to celebrate the nuptials in taking place

Grandiose: The Opera Garnier, where the official dinner and ball to celebrate the nuptials in taking place

Busy night: French chef Alain Ducasse poses at the Opera Terraces ahead of the reception dinner

Busy night: French chef Alain Ducasse poses at the Opera Terraces ahead of the reception dinner

Stunning: The bride wore a striking Armani gown for the religious service in the palace courtyard earlier on Saturday

Stunning: The bride wore a striking Armani gown for the religious service in the palace courtyard earlier on Saturday

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