Prince Albert To Announce Engagement?

Rumor mill is running high in the French Riviera this week, as it is believed Prince Albert II of Monaco may announce his engagement to girlfriend Charlene Wittstock, sometime this week.

That according to the French magazine, Pointe de Vue. The glossy publication predicts the 50 year old bachelor will finally marry his 31 year old girlfriend of two years next year. The two have been seen in public at major events, such as the Olympics and Monaco’s Red Cross Ball this past summer. Being seen at high profile events like that show Charlene is more than just a fling to the Monagesque Prince.

However, this is not the first time rumors of an engagement were debunked. There have been numerous reports of a wedding in the process for a long while now, only to be met with silence from the tiny principality.

At the same time, Gala has already made a false prediction: the magazine said Wednesday, September 24th would be the day of the announcement – which of course did not happen. Now, Gala is saying it would be within days instead.

If Prince Albert marries his South African girlfriend, he will then commit to the duty of producing a legitimate heir to the Monagesque principality. He already is the father of two children, both born out of wedlock. While Albert supports his children financially, he cannot make them his heir. Monagesque law only allows heirs who were born within marriage.

Currently, Monaco’s heir is Albert’s elder sister, Princess Caroline. After her come her three children: Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre Casiraghi.

Prince Albert’s reluctance to settle down and to continue to play the field well into his middle ages has been the source of gossip throughout Europe and the United States. He has dated some of the most famous women in the world, such as supermodel Claudia Schiffer, Angie Everhart and Brooke Shields.