Only five months to the big day: The soon-to-be-wed couple, Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock, at the Rose Ball. Photo: Prince's Palace

Back in January, at the celebrations in honor of the patron saint of Monaco Sainte Dévote, observers noted how Prince Albert's fiancée sang the national anthem of her new home with considerable enthusiasm. Thus the former Olympic swimmer easily passed one of the first tests of her royal apprenticeship.

Meanwhile, preparations are now in full swing for the highly anticipated wedding and it has just been revealed by reliable sources that the first invitations, addressed to Europe’s most important monarchs, have been dispatched. Although names have not been disclosed one can imagine that members of the royal families in Britain, Sweden, Spain and Denmark were included on this ultimate VIP guest list.

For those without a crown on their head, the wait goes on to see if one of the remaining 4000 invitations will arrive in the letterbox. A small consolation for those who don’t quite make the cut: the festivities will unfold, all day, across much of the Principality, on huge screens.

It has become clear that after the ceremony the newlyweds will head to the palace courtyard where a car will be waiting to take them on a tour through the city. From the Rocher, the old town, the procession is set to go down to the port and then to the Chapel of Sainte Devote, where Charlene will place her bridal bouquet. From there, the car will continue up Avenue d'Ostende to the casino and then back to the palace.

From early March journalists from around the world can register for the event, and in total over 1500 are expected. Two media centres, with the most technologically advanced equipment, will open in the Salle du Canton and the Automobile Museum of Prince Rainier III.

The palace itself must be prepared ahead of the 2nd of July, with a considerable amount of elbow grease needed to wash, scrub and polish the prince’s home to a brilliant white.

Of course, a wedding party (and especially a royal one in Monaco) is not conceivable without champagne. The representatives of all the major bubbly brands have been offering their wares for the honour of being the official tipple raised to toast the prince and his princess.

Finally, the best kept secret, and the very last to be revealed, will be the wedding dress. We know that Charlene will be gliding towards the altar in an Armani number but the design itself will be shrouded in mystery until only moments before the bride walks up the aisle. Whether beaded or minimal, made of taffeta, lace or satin, one thing can be sure: it will be a dress fit for a princess. HM/PH