Monaco royal newlyweds throw lavish S.Africa party (AFP)

UMHLANGA, South Africa (AFP) – Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco threw a swank party Thursday for members of the International Olympic Committee and assorted glitterati at a five-star hotel in South Africa.

The newlyweds, who are in Charlene's home country for a meeting of the IOC, held a dinner reception for nearly 500 guests at the Oyster Box, a seaside luxury hotel in the Indian Ocean resort town of Umhlanga.

The couple made a brief appearance on the red carpet in front of the hotel, obliging the crowd of photographers, journalists and several dozen royal-watchers with a quick kiss on the lips.

They spent about a minute posing for the cameras -- Albert dressed in a black suit and red tie, Charlene in a black sleeveless gown with a diamond-shaped pattern that appeared inspired by African design -- then headed back inside to the invitation-only event.

"We're just so thrilled," said Joanne Hayes, public relations chief for the hotel.

The Oyster Box has spent weeks preparing for the event, which follows on the couple's wedding at the weekend in Albert's tiny Mediterranean principality.

Guests arrived to drumming and dancing by a group of young Zulu men dressed in traditional animal-skin garb, and were also serenaded by a local choir.

Dressed mostly in evening gowns and suits, they queued on the red carpet to pass through a security checkpoint at the entrance to the hotel, which was decked out in the red and white of the Monaco flag.

Hayes said the menu would include a dish created in Charlene's honour.

"We've created a special dish called Oysters Charlene. It's created by our executive chef, Kevin Joseph," she told AFP.

"Basically it's oysters baked with creamed spinach, curried lentils and asparagus."

The guest list, which ran to nearly 500 people, included IOC President Jacques Rogge, South African Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula, former Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss and an assortment of business magnates, local notables and heavy hitters in the sporting world.

South African President Jacob Zuma, who had lunch with the couple Wednesday, had planned to attend but was detained on other business in the northern province of Limpopo, his office said.

Two of Zuma's four wives did however show up for the party, which began at 7:00 pm (1700 GMT).

The newlyweds' South African tour has been part honeymoon and part business trip.

Albert, a member of the IOC, took part in Wednesday's election of the 2018 Winter Olympics host city, which saw Pyeongchang, South Korea beat out Munich, Germany and Annecy, France.

On Friday, Charlene will be welcomed by South African anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu at his HIV foundation in Cape Town.

She will be a co-patron of a collective of 10 charities known as The Giving Organisation Trust, carrying out her first duties as patron with visits to two charities that focus on children and HIV-AIDS and a project working to preserve the region's unique fynbos vegetation in the winelands.

The focus of the trust's charities range from children to health and animal protection.

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Monaco newlyweds lunch with Zuma on S.Africa visit (AFP)

DURBAN, South Africa (AFP) – Monaco's newlyweds Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene lunched with President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday, smiling for the cameras as they tried to move past "runaway bride" rumours.

After their weekend wedding in the Mediterranean principality, they arrived Tuesday in Durban, where Charlene used to train for South Africa's Olympic swim team.

The trip is part honeymoon, part business.

Albert is a member of the International Olympic Committee, which is meeting in Durban to vote Wednesday on the venue for the 2018 Winter Games.

Zuma greeted them Tuesday evening at the official opening of the session, where Charlene's appearance in a black gown was splashed across South African media.

The polygamist president, who has four current wives, teased Albert about adhering to South Africa's tradition of grooms giving cattle to the bride's family, a gift known as lobola.

"She has again done us proud by bringing us the royal in-laws from Monaco," Zuma said in welcoming Charlene.

"We usually say you can't get a wife free of charge, you must pay lobola -- the cattle," Zuma joked.

Zuma invited the couple to lunch with him Wednesday at King's House, the presidential residence in Durban, a stately cream-coloured building with columns and balconies overlooking the sea and Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the 2010 World Cup.

The couple arrived all smiles for the assembled press, with Charlene in a white crochet dress, greeting reporters' questions with a simple "Fine, how are you?"

They shook hands with Zuma and his third wife Thobeka Madiba Zuma, smiled for the cameras and went inside for a late lunch.

"I'm very pleased that there has been this courtesy call. I had to pay for the fact that I did not go to the wedding," Zuma joked after the meal. Zuma was at the African Union summit last week and sent his tourism minister to the wedding in his place.

On their way out, Albert gave Charlene a kiss on the cheek -- at the request of waiting reporters -- before they left in separate cars.

Once the official Olympics business is finished, the couple are throwing a reception Thursday for 400 guests at the five-star Oyster Box hotel in the resort town of Umhlanga, just north of Durban.

The town has draped its streetposts with the flags of Monaco and South Africa. Guests at the hotel have gushed to South African media about their chance encounters with Charlene.

"My golly, it had been only about 20 seconds after walking out that I saw this lovely tall person, from the rear. She then turned around and I saw it was Charlene," 90-year-old Mavis Warder-Griffin told The Star newspaper.

"She said hello and put her hand out to shake mine. It was really unbelievable, all a lovely, lovely surprise. What a delightful person. It was one of those unexpected events, and I am on cloud nine. I don't think I'll wash my hands, I?ve touched royalty."

Her daughter Meryl Marshall was also enthralled, saying: "Her beauty took my breath away. She was warm and friendly and will be a wonderful ambassador for South Africa."

Charlene's warm reception home has largely overshadowed reports of rumours that she had tried to flee to South Africa before the wedding, with newspapers instead running stories about "our royal couple".

Palace officials in Monaco said there had been a "hiccup" in the wedding preparations when Charlene learned that Albert may face demands for a paternity test after a claim by a former lover.

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Lavish luxury for Monaco's royal newlyweds in S.Africa (AFP)

DURBAN, South Africa (AFP) – It's a venue fit for a prince and princess: a five-star hotel famous for sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and a presidential suite that lists for 50,000 rand ($7,400, 5,100 euros) a night.

The Oyster Box, one of South Africa's most lavish hotels, will host a reception for Prince Albert II of Monaco and his new bride, Charlene Wittstock, as they visit the eastern port city of Durban this week.

The royal newlyweds, who are in town for a meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) -- of which Albert is a member -- will be throwing a party at the seaside hotel for 400 guests on Thursday night.

The hotel, which opened in 1947, is famous as one of Africa's most opulent destinations.

It has hosted princes William and Harry, supermodel Naomi Campbell and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, among other notables and celebrities.

Located in the resort town of Umhlanga, just north of Durban, it prides itself on its "colonial charm", a historic lighthouse and oyster beds just offshore that supply the hotel's renowned Oyster Bar.

Joanne Hayes, chief of public relations for the hotel, said it's an obvious choice for an event like the royal reception.

"We're thrilled. It's a great honour. But as far as we're concerned, when you see the Oyster Box, there is no other choice really," she told AFP.

The Oyster Box was built in 1869 and originally served as a navigationa beacon before being converted to a hotel.

It recently underwent a two-year renovation, reopening in 2009. The new owners, the Red Carnation luxury hotel group, sought to blend new furnishings and technology with the original decor of the 1940s and 50s, when the old hotel was in its heyday.

Today the hotel has 86 "individually appointed" rooms and suites, including eight garden villas that each have their own plunge pool.

The crown jewel is the 450-square-metre (4,840-square-foot) presidential suite -- a two-level room served by private lift, with a private swimming pool, private study and marble his-and-hers bathrooms.

South African media have reported that the couple are staying in the suite, but the hotel is tightlipped about its guests.

The Oyster Box boasts six restaurants overseen by executive chef Kevin Joseph, who trained at Michelin-starred establishments in London.

It also has an all-white ballroom adorned with crystal Venetian chandeliers, an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean and a 24-seat movie theater that can be booked for private screenings with dinner and popcorn.

The royal reception is expected to spill into the various venues of the hotel, which will be reserved exclusively for invitees that night.

The hotel is keeping details of the function under wraps, but Joseph says he is planning a menu that is "seasonal, with a South African touch".

Police and security are expected to set up a cordon around the property.

"This is a private function," said general manager Wayne Coetzer.

"We will do all we can to ensure that the couple and their guests are able to enjoy the renowned Oyster Box hospitality to the fullest."

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Monaco royal newlyweds arrive in S.Africa (AFP)

DURBAN, South Africa (AFP) – Newlyweds Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco arrived in her home country South Africa Tuesday after their weekend wedding, according to the hotel where they are hosting a reception.

The couple are in the eastern port city of Durban for the annual session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and are planning a lavish dinner reception for 400 guests Thursday night at a hotel in the nearby resort town of Umhlanga.

The five-star Oyster Box Hotel said the princess had dropped by shortly after arriving to go over plans for the party.

"She arrived today, to discuss arrangements for Thursday's reception," General Manager Wayne Coetzer, told AFP.

"Obviously we are delighted, it is wonderful for Umhlanga and of course the Oyster Box."

South African media have reported that the couple are staying in the hotel's lavish presidential suite, but the Oyster Box declined to confirm if they are guests.

"The whereabouts of our guests and who is staying at the hotel is private information which we do not divulge," spokeswoman Joanne Hayes said.

Both Albert and Charlene are former Olympians -- he a bobsleigh racer for Monaco, she a backstroke swimmer for South Africa.

Charlene, 33, trained in Durban ahead of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The couple moved their wedding up by six days to be able to attend the IOC meeting, where the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics will be decided on Wednesday.

Albert, the 53-year-old son of late Hollywood star Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, has been a member of the IOC since 1985.

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Royal newlyweds take "small" entourage to North America (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) – Royal newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will take an entourage of seven people on their upcoming visit to North America, palace officials said on Wednesday.

The team, which British media described as unusually small, will not include a separate dresser for Kate Middleton, who married Prince William in a glittering royal ceremony on April 29 and has since become a top fashion icon.

The Duchess will also do without a lady-in-waiting, an official female companion, although she will be accompanied by her hairdresser James Pryce.

The couple flies out to Canada on June 30, in the Duchess' first official overseas trip as a member of the monarchy.

Toward the end of the trip, William and Catherine will attend a special "BAFTA Brits to Watch" event in Los Angeles on July 9 designed to promote up-and-coming talent in film, television and video gaming.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White and Phil Noble; Editing by Steve Addison)

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Royal newlyweds return from Seychelles honeymoon (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – Prince William and his new bride Catherine have returned to Britain from their private honeymoon, a spokesman said on Saturday, confirming that they had spent ten days in the Seychelles.

Reports said they had flown to the Seychelles to stay on a secluded island in the Indian Ocean archipelago but St James's Palace, which speaks for the couple, refused to confirm this until their return.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have returned to the UK from their honeymoon in the Seychelles," a spokesman for St James's Palace said in a statement.

"The couple thoroughly enjoyed their time together, and they are grateful to the Seychelles government for their assistance in making the honeymoon such a memorable and special ten days."

The honeymoon followed the couple's fairytale wedding on April 29 which was watched by an estimated one million people in the streets of London and two billion on television around the world.

William, who is second in line to the throne, took leave from his job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot on the island of Anglesey, northwest Wales, for his honeymoon.

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Royal newlyweds return from Seychelles honeymoon (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – Prince William and his new bride Catherine have returned to Britain from their private honeymoon, a spokesman said on Saturday, confirming that they had spent ten days in the Seychelles.

Reports said they had flown to the Seychelles to stay on a secluded island in the Indian Ocean archipelago but St James's Palace, which speaks for the couple, refused to confirm this until their return.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have returned to the UK from their honeymoon in the Seychelles," a spokesman for St James's Palace said in a statement.

"The couple thoroughly enjoyed their time together, and they are grateful to the Seychelles government for their assistance in making the honeymoon such a memorable and special ten days."

The honeymoon followed the couple's fairytale wedding on April 29 which was watched by an estimated one million people in the streets of London and two billion on television around the world.

William, who is second in line to the throne, took leave from his job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot on the island of Anglesey, northwest Wales, for his honeymoon.

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Work, shopping: Royal newlyweds slip into routine (AP)

LONDON – Prince William and Kate Middleton have slipped into a routine in the week after their lavish wedding.

William returned to work in north Wales as a helicopter rescue pilot for the military and has participated in two rescue operations since coming back, the British military said Thursday.

The couple decided against an immediate overseas honeymoon after getting married in London at Westminster Abbey on April 29. They opted instead to spend last weekend in Britain before William returned to military duty.

William was among a four-man crew operating a Royal Air Force Sea King helicopter, which airlifted a 70-year-old man with a suspected heart problem to a hospital Wednesday, the military said. Later, the helicopter rescued four hikers after one of them experienced vertigo.

Middleton, now known as the Duchess of Cambridge, has been out doing the couple's errands. Front page photographs due to be published in British tabloids Friday showed Middleton pushing a shopping cart at an upscale grocery store in Anglesey, where the pair have their home.

The images — released late Thursday — show Middleton wearing a thin white V-neck sweat shirt under a green knitted throw. Her sapphire engagement ring peeked out over the cart's handlebar as she skipped across the store's parking lot. The Daily Mail reported that she was wearing her gold wedding band under her engagement ring.

"Kate's Back up Aisle," joked The Star newspaper.

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