South African military jets and helicopters have flown over after pallbearers placed Nelson Mandela’s casket over the grave following his funeral ceremony.

Enda Kenny’s office has spent more than €150,000 on entertainment since he became Taoiseach.

A day after the civil wedding that transformed one-time Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock into the Princess of Monaco, she and Prince Albert II wed in a star-studded religious ceremony today.

ONE bride wore a trouser suit, the other a vintage ivory gown. One married a royal, the other a rock star.

Monaco is preparing to celebrate the wedding of Prince Albert II to South African ex-swimmer Charlene Wittstock later today.

Prince Albert II of Monaco wished the Government every success tackling economic woes as he strolled through Dublin with his fiancée on a three-day State visit.

Prince Albert II of Monaco has arrived in Ireland at the start of a three-day state visit.

Prince Albert II of Monaco will make a two-day State visit to Ireland next week.

Usain Bolt will run the 100 metres at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Monaco on July 22.

PRINCE Albert II of Monaco, son of late Hollywood star Grace Kelly, announced his engagement yesterday to South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock, ending decades as one of Europe’s most eligible bachelors.

A PRINCE is expected to visit a Cork school next year which his mother, the late Princess Grace of Monaco, helped nearly 50 years ago.

HE may have failed to win a seat in the local elections but a Corkman has pulled off a major diplomatic coup that could have huge spin-offs for Irish tourism.

Russian president Vladimir Putin today laughed off questions about an affair with a champion gymnast.

Monaco’s Prince Albert II has acknowledged fathering a second child out of wedlock: a 14-year-old girl living in a California town, his lawyer said in an interview with France’s Le Figaro published today.

Bells pealed across Monaco as the tiny Riviera principality feted Prince Albert II’s rise to the throne today and bid a final symbolic farewell to his late father, Rainier III.

Monaco’s Prince Albert II said today he was “set up” for fatherhood by a former flight attendant who claims she had his child.

PRINCE Albert II was proclaimed ruler of Monaco yesterday at a solemn Mass in the tiny Riviera enclave’s cliff-top cathedral where his father was buried three months ago after a 56-year reign.

PRINCE Albert II of Monaco yesterday acknowledged having fathered an illegitimate child with a flight attendant from Togo.

Prince Albert II of Monaco is to acceed to the throne July 12, after the close of the mourning period for his father, long-time ruler Prince Rainier III, the palace announced yesterday, declaring the day a holiday.

Pope Benedict XVI officially launched his stewardship of the Roman Catholic Church today, presiding over a installation Mass that drew tens of thousands of pilgrims and dignitaries to St Peter’s Square.

Security forces took up posts around the Vatican today and cleared streets for an expected 500,000 pilgrims arriving for the ceremony formally to install Pope Benedict XVI and offer the pontiff a major chance to set the tone for his papacy.

Pope Benedict XVI thanked journalists today for their coverage during the “historical” events of the papal transition.

Prince Rainier III of Monaco is to be laid to rest today beside his late wife, the American film star Grace Kelly, in the cathedral where they were married a half century ago.

MONACO will mix royal pomp, solemn Roman Catholic ceremonies and tight security as it hosts VIPs from around the world for today’s funeral of Prince Rainier III.