Three's a crowd: Prince Albert takes new wife Charlene for honeymoon lunch (but South African president Jacob Zuma comes along too)

By EMILY MILLER


Elegant: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene arrives at the residence of South African president Jacob Zuma in Durban for lunch


Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock today enjoyed a late lunch overlooking the sea - with South African president Jacob Zuma.

Heavy on protocol and light on romance, the function was the among a string of public engagements the couple have booked in the bride's home country this week.

The pair arrived at the statesman's residence, smiling in an effort to quash rumours of marital strife sparked by claims that the prince recently fathered a love child.

A tanned Charlene, 33, wore a white crochet dress and thanked her new husband, 53, as he helped her out of the car. Asked how she was, she replied, 'Fine thanks.'


New wife in white: The Prince and Princess of Monaco are greeted as they arrive at the President's residence


The prince is rumoured to have fathered a third baby out of wedlock, a scandal which allegedly prompted former Olympic swimmer Charlene to try to flee through France ahead of the nuptials in Monte Carlo at the weekend.

Today the couple joined Mr Zuma, 69, at his seaside residence, King's House, in Durban on South Africa's east coast.

As they left the house, the prince tried to silence rumours about his marriage by planting a careful kiss on new bride Charlene's cheek.

The monarch made the tentative gesture after emerging from lunch with Mr Zuma and his wife Thobeka Madiba.


Heads of state: The Royal couple posed with Preisdent Zuma and his wife Thobeka Madiba after their lunch


The working honeymoon: The couple were also at an event for the opening of the International Olympic Committee session on Tuesday night


The former Olympic swimmer is said to be leaving Durban for Cape Town early on Friday to visit three development projects, local charity the Giving Organisation Trust said.

Keen to use her new-found resources for good works, she is also due to meet former archbishop Desmond Tutu during the day.

On Saturday she is expected in Johannesburg to see another programme.

Prince Albert has reigned the tiny European state of Monaco since 2005 when his father Prince Rainier died.

He has had two other children out of wedlock - Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, 19, and Alexandre Coste, seven.


Ceremony: The pair exchange glances during their wedding in Monaco on Saturday



Pomp and ceremony: An official photograph from the wedding of Charlene and Albert which took place on saturday in Monte Carlo

source: dailymail

Posted in: Celebrities,News Update