Royal Fashion Minute: Countess Matilde Borromeo and Prince Antonius von Fürstenberg Wedding

Italo-German Royals Unite

Euro Royals: Prince Antonius von Fürstenberg and Countess Matilde Borromeo

Almost two months ago--in early June--a "royal" Wedding took place that well, got lost amongst all them other BIG Royal Weddings (William and Kate, Albert and Charlene): Countess Matilde Borromeo married Prince Antonius von Fürstenberg. They have been dating for a while and were known as the "Couple-About-Town" in all the Euro Social Circles. In addition, they have both just landed themselves in Vanity Fair's 2011 International Best-Dressed List (yes, they have STYLE and FAB P.R. agents to boot!).

Handsome Couple: H.S.H Prince Antonius zu Fürstenberg and Countess Matilde Borromeo

Here Comes The Sposa: Matilde Borromeo and her father Carlo Ferdinando Borromeo

The bride, Countess Matilde Borromeo, wore a silk satin Empire-cut gown from Valentino Haute Couture. No one mentioned this at the time of the wedding but it was hard to not miss a slight "baby bump" protruding from her tummy area. The gown had a slight train with a curved seam and gathered ruffle. The top section featured silk bias-binding with pearl accents looped detail, very reminiscent of...

This coat-dress from Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2011, also worn by...

Princess Beatrice at the William and Catherine Royal Wedding.

The wedding took place in Isola Bella on Lago Maggiore, one of many islands the bride's family actually owns. In case you were wondering about HER family, the Borromeo's, they are from Milan. A true dynasty, the Borromeos trace their origins to the 15th century, when Vitaliano I, treasurer to the Duke of Milan, began amassing a fortune and accumulating enormous amounts of property. For the better part of the 16th century, a large chunk of what is now North Central Italy was known as the Borromeo State, and the family had full political and military power.

Isola Bella on Lago Maggiore

In the center of this fiefdom, Lago Maggiore is not only geographically strategic—wedged between the Alps and Lombardy—but also breathtakingly beautiful, with azure waters and lush vegetation surrounded by snowcapped peaks.

Prince Antonius and Princess Maximiliane Windisch-Graetz (his mommy). She belongs to the Italian branch of Windisch-Graetz dynasty and is the sister of Mariano Hugo, who is married to the Archduchess Sophie of Austria. The Windisch-Graetz is a princely family in the Austrian Empire serving the Habsburg dynasty

Illustrious Guests:

Pierre Casiraghi and his brother Andrea Casiraghi, of Monaco

Pierre Casiraghi, incidentally is dating one of the bride's sisters, the very pretty Beatrice Borromeo, seen above at the wedding of his uncle, Prince Albert II of Monaco to Charlene Wittstock.

The two other Borromeo sisters--and their respective husbands and children: (Left) Isabella Borromeo...

In Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2011, above--and her husband Ugo Brachetti Peretti and their children; Lavinia Borromeo and John Elkann and their children, Oceano and Leone (right).

Carlo Borromeo (bride's brother) with his fiance, the very stylish Marta Ferri--as well as the bride's dog Jack, who was a "very special guest" of the wedding.

Printed Guests (Left to right): Italian industrialist and manager of Fiat brand promotion, Lapo Elkann and his girlfriend, socialite/model/actress Bianca Brandolini d'Adda, Supermodel Eva Herzigova and Heiress Tatiana Santo Domingo, girlfriend to Andrea Casiraghi of Monaco.

Other notable guests included:
Georgina Brandolini d'Adda and Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani...

Wearing Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2011

NY-born socialite/fashionista/heiress Eugenie Niarchos

Royal Fashion Minute: Monaco Royals attend 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball in Monte-Carlo

Fuchsia Princess

Royal Couple: HSH Prince Albert II and HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, in Akris gown, Red Cross Ball Monte-Carlo

Last night was the 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball in Monte-Carlo Monaco, held at the Sporting Monte-Carlo. 800 guests payed 1,000 Euros (over $1,400) to dine, dance and hear Joe Cocker, who performed--and enjoy the glorious festivities.

The Dance Floor Scene--Before and After: Sporting Monte-Carlo, 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball

And of course, get a glimpse of the Monégasque Royals. Speaking of, of course HSH Prince Albert II and his recent bride, HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco were there. Charlene wore a fuchsia silk Dupioni strapless (she loves to show off those Swimmer's shoulders of hers!) "Mermaid"-style fitted gown from the Swiss Design House of Akris, designed by Albert Kriemler. There are rumours circling the Royal-watchers forums saying that she might be pregnant, but you couldn't tell in this gown. No baby-bump yet.

The Princess and the Ill-Fitting Tuxedo: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball Monte-Carlo

The Princess wore her hair side-swept and tucked under grazing her neck in an elegant style reminiscent of the late Princess Grace. Her clutch matched the color of her gown. Prince Albert II--bless his heart--looked a bit schlumpy in a too-long Dinner Jacket tuxedo and way too long pants (aren't there any tailors in Monaco?). My goodness, he is one of the RICHEST Men in the World, and can't get a tuxedo to fight right?

Princess Charlene also wore a GORGEOUS Van Cleef & Arpels Océan Necklace (which can also be converted into a tiara, of course), consisting of 88 round diamonds, 10 pearls, 359 sapphires. It was a gift from Albert to his bride (oh how sweet!).

Princess Stephanie and her sister Princess Caroline of Hanover also made an appearance at the 63rd Annual Red Cross Ball Gala. It was Princess Caroline's first appearance at the Ball since 2008.

She wore a purple-and-gold flower printed silk gown with contrasting black-and-white polka dot side panels, accessorized by simple gold and diamond hoop earrings. Quite a bold statement by the Princess who usually chooses more sedate outfits from Chanel.

Among the 80o guests was Dame Shirley Bassey, who wore the same Pre-Fall 2009 Alexander McQueen dress (red color) that Pippa Middleton wore as Maid of Honor to her sister's Royal Wedding to Prince William. Incidentally, yes, it's also the same dress actress Cameron Diaz wore to the Golden Globe Awards in 2010. This is THE MOST popular dress IN THE WORLD, it seems!

Royal Fashion Minute: Charlene of Monaco Armani Prive Custom Wedding Gown on Display!!!

And Yet Another Wedding Gown Exhibition:

Happy Couple: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco attending "History of The Princely Wedding", Oceanographic Museum Monaco

This time, Monaco. Earlier this week, just hours after returning from their South Africa and Mozambique honeymoon--and having a press conference to deny all the recent rumors and controversy following their "happy and blessed" wedding, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco attended a very special event:

Cavalli Fresh: Princess Charlene of Monaco in Roberto Cavalli, with her husband, Prince Albert II

Princess Charlene--wearing a flower-printed Roberto Cavalli maxi-dress and no make-up--and Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the "History Of The Princely Wedding" (L’Histoire du Mariage Princier) Exhibition at the Musée Océanographique (Oceanographic Museum) in Monaco earlier this week.

"The Story of The Princely Wedding" features Princess Charlene's $100,000+ Armani Prive Custom gown, the white uniform that Prince Albert wore, place settings from their reception, and other items from the July wedding. It seems that Europe this late Summer is ripe for "Wedding Exhibition" mania!!!!

*Click HERE for Exhibition Info.

Royal Fashion Minute: Prince Albert of Monaco Weds Charlene Wittstock wearing Karl Lagerfeld: The Civil Wedding!

A Light Blue Princess...

Bonjour Princess: Prince Albert II of Monaco and his bride, Charlene, Prince's Palace Monaco

Yes kids, it's ANOTHER Royal Wedding!! This time around it's the Wedding of one of the wealthiest Royals in the entire World, Prince Albert II of Monaco (Prince Rainer and Princess Grace's son and ruler of the tiny European Principality) with "commoner" Charlene Wittstock who originally hails from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and was a former Olympic swimmer for the South African team. Tomorrow (Saturday) is the actual Church Nuptials (and the wedding gown) along with the Royal Guests including Model-Fashion Designers-Glitterati Galore...But today was the Civil Ceremony, celebrated at the Prince's Palace in Monaco, of course.

Blue Charlene: The new Princess Charlene of Monaco in a light blue palazzo ensemble by Karl Lagerfeld

The bride wore a light blue ensemble, consisting of a fitted crepe jacket and silk and lace trimmed palazzo pants. The ensemble is a collaboration between the bride and designer Karl Lagerfeld (The jacket does have that "Chanel" silhouette with the seam in the sleeves, etc.). In an interview with vogue.com she stated:
“We wanted something to match the color of my eyes. It is my creation and I’m proud of it. It’s feminine and keeps with tradition yet has a little twist that reflects my personal style. I thought it was a nice change to go for trousers instead of a skirt, especially since I’m an athlete and have always kept my clothes clean and simple.”

Le Bisou: Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene

After the Civil Ceremony, they made an appearance in the Palace's balcony and kissed in front of their Moneguasque subjects cheering and waving below. The ceremony was attended by close family members of both the bride and groom...

Including the ever-so-chic Princess Caroline of Hanover, her sister Princess Stephanie and Camille Gottlieb, Princess Stephanie's third daughter (seen above in one of the Palace's balconies).

Click Below for Video of the Civil Ceremony of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock:

Royal Fashion Minute: Charlotte Casiraghi of Monaco in Gucci Equestrian

Fancy Riding...

Gucci Perfect: Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Princess Caroline of Hanover, Global Champion Tour 2011 Monte Carlo Monaco

For the second year in a row, the Italian Fashion House of Gucci and its Creative Director/Designer Frida Giannini has announced a collaboration with Princess Caroline of Hanover's model-GORGEOUS 24-year-old daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi.

Rider Chic: Charlotte Casiraghi in Gucci equestrian ensemble

This last week, she showed off her new Gucci ensembles at the Global Champion Tour 2011 in Monte Carlo Monaco--a week before her Uncle, Prince Albert's nuptials. Mommy--Princess Caroline of Hanover--was there to support her beautiful daughter.

Charlotte Casiraghi and Frida Giannini Creative Director of Gucci, 2010

Gucci, as you may know, has a long and very strong heritage of designing luxurious horse riding wear and so it makes sense. One of their iconic insignias are in fact the horse riding bits, which can be seen on many a Gucci shoe, purse, belt, and tie. Last year was the first year Giannini and Gucci collaborated with Casiraghi, using her as a style muse. Gucci riding pants, Gucci shirts and of course, Gucci riding boots.

So what does Charlotte think of the collection which was designed just for her? “I loved riding in the collection that Frida designed for me last year and I love this new wardrobe even more. It’s the best of sport and style.”