Prince Albert of Monaco denies 'runaway bride' rumours

A spokesman for the royal has shot down claims his fiancée tried to flee to South Africa, days before their £50 million wedding

A spokesman for Prince Albert of Monaco has blasted rumours his fiancée Charlene Wittsock had tried to flee the country, just days before their £50 million wedding.

CHARLENE WITTSTOCK: STYLE RETROSPECTIVE

The pair are due to tie the knot in a no-expense-spared ceremony in Monaco over the weekend.

But yesterday rumours surfaced that all was not well in the royal household, after the professional swimmer heard a new revelation about her future husband.

French news magazine L’Express claimed Wittstock, a professional swimmer, had tried to the flee the country for her native South Africa when the allegations surfaced, but was stopped by police at Nice airport, acting on royal orders.

‘Shaken, Charlene Wittstock had just learned, a few hours earlier, that the private life of the man she was about to marry, and who had publicly confessed, in September 2005, to the existence of an illegitimate child with Nicole Coste, was not as exemplary as she imagined,’ read the controversial article, titled: ‘Albert-Charlene: Marriage in Peril’.

A spokesman for the royal couple today branded the rumours ‘sheer madness’ and confirmed preparation for the couple’s nuptials is well under way.

They also confirmed the prince will be taking legal action against the publication.

‘The Prince’s Palace firmly denies the allegations,’ the representative told press. ‘These rumours, spread a few days before the wedding ceremonies of H.S.H Prince Albert and Miss Charlene Wittstock, have only one purpose – to seriously damage the Sovereign’s image and by consequence that of Miss Wittstock and to cause serious prejudice to a happy event.’

Is there any truth to the rumours? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.

CHARLENE WITTSTOCK: STYLE RETROSPECTIVE

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