Charlene Wittstock, a visual combination of Stella McCartney and Marie-Chantal of Greece, has been charming the Monegasques ever since her first appearance with Prince Albert at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Charlene, a South African-born Olympic swimmer, is rumored to be the most acceptable choice as a possible new Princess of Monaco. Several factors are in her favor, one of which is her blonde and blue-eyed similarity to the late Princess Grace. Another is her love of sport, something she shares wholeheartedly with Albert. Also, the acceptance of Charlene into the royal family has been publicly signaled by her appearances with Albert at high-profile events. Being photographed with Albert’s sister, Princess Caroline, doesn’t hurt either.

Everyone had been holding their breath awaiting the announcement of an engagement on Monaco’s National Day on November 19th, 2007. No such luck, but that didn’t dampen the expectations of a wedding in the least. Royal watchers everywhere are fervently hoping that Albert and Charlene will marry and at last produce a legitimate heir to the Grimaldi throne.

Albert already has two illegitimate children by two different women – a girl named Jazmin Grace, now fifteen years old, and a son named Alexandre, who is five. Neither can claim the throne of Monaco, so the importance of Albert settling down and producing a legitimate heir is paramount to royal watchers who are looking to beat the clock.

However, because of a revision of the Monegasque constitution on April 2, 2002, no one need panic. Princess Caroline would take the throne should Albert predecease her, and her eldest son, Andrea Casiraghi, would eventually succeed her as the Sovereign Prince.

The lanky, blond Andrea, who most resembles his late father Stefano, would be a top choice for the glamorous jet-set of Monaco. Then there’s his sister Charlotte, beloved for her sultry features and her elegant yet simple fashion sense. The youngest, Pierre, is the wild child whose curly locks make women everywhere weak at the knees. Were this branch of the family to assume the reigns of the 700-year-old dynasty, the press would go mad with joy I should imagine. Unfortunately, the intrusion would be stepped up further into their lives, and then the adroit dodging they have learned at the knee of Caroline would be put to the test.

Would Caroline and, eventually, Andrea Casiraghi be preferable as rulers of Monaco, or do you want Albert to marry and have his own heirs? One part of me, being a traditional type of girl, wants Albert and Charlene to get married and have children. The other part of me wants to see Princess Caroline rule and pass the baton to Andrea.

By Mandy