Monaco prince, 51, to finally say I do

PRINCE Albert of Monaco is engaged to marry Charlene Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer for South Africa, a union that will give the Mediterranean principality its first crown princess since the prince’s mother, American actress Grace Kelly, died in 1982.

The palace announced the engagement of “His Serene Highness”, 52, and Wittstock, 32, who also worked as a school teacher before moving to Monaco. The statement did not indicate a wedding date but put to rest months of speculation.

Albert met Wittstock in 2000 when she travelled to Monaco for a swimming competition, said Laetitia Pierrat, a palace spokeswoman. Wittstock swam for South Africa at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, though won no medals. In the All Africa Games the year before, she won gold in the 100-metre freestyle.