Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco are in town for the IOC assembly which decided this week that South Korea would host the 2018 Winter Olympics.
The newspaper and magazine photographers have been hard at work all over Durban, particularly at any event related to the Olympic conference (the pair met our own ‘royalty’ President Zuma and his wife), snapping away at the newlyweds, who must surely be exhausted by now after their elaborate wedding and long travels to reach Durban in time for the Olympic event.
TimesLive report: Monaco royals in town.
But the real talk of the town is the grand affair being hosted by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene (better known to her friends as Charlene Wittstock) tonight (July 7) at the swanky Oyster Box hotel in Umhlanga. Journalists and tabloid hacks are piling and sneaking into the seaside town doing whatever possible to get a glimpse of the royal couple, interview anyone even remotely related to the attractions, possibly even sneaking in uninvited for a sensational scoop.
July a highlight on Durban’s social calender
The Mercury newspaper featured an excited local lady on the front page the other day, absolutely breathless at her good fortune in running into the royal couple. Awesome stuff.
Interview with The Oyster Box’s executive chef Kevin Joseph
And the questions have been coming thick and fast. What will our own Olympian beauty be wearing tonight? What will the army of caterers be serving, what about the wine? Who’s going to crack the nod to the royal proceedings. Another great coup for The Oyster Box, yet another feather in fashionable Umhlanga’s cap.
“The evening was a “culmination of months of work and preparation by the staff of the Oyster Box,” said The Oyster Box General Manager Wayne Coetzer after the event. “We wanted every aspect to be absolutely perfect. We knew we were carrying the expectations and wishes, not only of the royal couple, but the province and the country on our shoulders. Everything came together perfectly and we are thrilled with the outcome.”
“The Prince and Princess called the chef and myself aside and thanked us for a fantastic function. Activities and speeches in the Pearl Room took about four hours before 150 guests went up to the Lighthouse Bar for a private party … certainly the most festive we’ve had in that venue!” – Ridge Correspondent
Our reporter on the scene confirmed that grand old cliche that Umhlanga was a “hive of activity”; apparently the blue light brigade was out in force and there were loads of Metro and SAPS police officers around town. Security at the venue was extremely tight and photography restricted. Princess Charlene’s dress, designed by Durban’s Terrence Bray, was a big hit. See today’s edition of The Mercury newspaper for all the details.