Wedding of Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock

Portraits of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock. Below, framed by the mintmarks, the issuing state "MONACO" and the year "2011".

For the Principality of Monaco, the marriage of the reigning prince has always carried significance far beyond the dynastic. Albert II, son of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, took over the government of a city-state in 2005 whose political stability and international reputation are closely tied to the continuity of Grimaldi rule. The family has governed Monaco almost without interruption since the late 13th century - one of the longest-ruling dynasties in Europe. Albert's marriage to the South African swimmer Charlène Wittstock, whom he had met at the 2000 Swimming World Cup, secured, for the first time in decades, direct succession through legitimate descendants. For Monaco, whose constitutional law establishes government by the Grimaldis as a founding principle, this was a matter of considerable constitutional significance.

The wedding took place on 1 and 2 July 2011 in Monaco-Ville - first a civil ceremony, then a religious wedding at the Prince's Palace. Charlène Wittstock thereby became Princess of Monaco. The union attracted strong international attention: although Monaco is one of the smallest states in the world, its history, tax legislation and standing as a cultural centre on the Côte d'Azur give it an unusually high level of visibility. To mark the wedding, Monaco issued a 2-euro commemorative coin in 2011 depicting the princely couple, which is among the most sought-after pieces of Monegasque coinage.