(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock have officially wed in a civil ceremony inside the Royal Palace of Monaco today.

The newlyweds have been a couple since 2006. Charlene is a former Olympic swimming champion from South Africa and the two met in Monaco in 2000 when she travelled to the region for a swimming competition.

Today's matrimony happens amid a great deal of controversy surrounding allegations of infidelity in the relationship.

Rumours that Prince Albert fathered up to three children with three different women were prevalent early in the week. French website L'express claimed on Thursday that upon learning about the third, Charlene attempted to flee the wedding and escape to South Africa.

The Royal Palace of Monaco thoroughly denied these claims, issuing a statement to the press refuting such hearsay.

"The Royal Palace formally denies the false allegations published on the site www.lexpress.fr," the statement read. "The sole intention of these rumours is to seriously damage the image of the Sovereign, as a result of damaging that of Miss Wittstock, and bear down on this happy event."

A more lavish religious ceremony will be held tomorrow to celebrate the royal union. Guests such as French president Nicolas Sarkozy, Naomi Campbell, Karl Lagerfeld, and Giorgio Armani are expected to attend.

Philippe Narmino, president of Monaco's Council of State, officiated the day, confirming Charlene is now officially a Princess.

She is the first reigning princess of Monaco since Grace Kelly, who lorded over the principality from 1956 until 1982 when she perished in a tragic car accident. (C) Cover Media