PRINCESS MARIA ANUNCIATA OF LIECHTENSTEIN

MARRIES ENTREPRENEUR EMANUELE MUSINI SURROUNDED BY EUROPEAN ROYALTY

European royals attend her spectacular ceremony in Vienna

It was a day of doubles for Princess Maria Anunciata of Liechtenstein and her groom, Emanuele Musini, when they wed in spectacular style in the imperial city of Vienna last week. Two historic palaces, two heirloom tiaras and two haute couture gowns all featured in one of the biggest society events of the year. But when it came to the royal guests, of course there were dozens.

As the daughter of Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein and Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg, Maria Anunciata counts two European monarchs, Prince Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, as uncles, and they and their families were out in force. It was only an unfortunate Covid contact that kept more royal relatives, the Belgian King and Queen, from being there.

Bringing a special glamour to the historic Scots Church – named after the

The wedding featured two historic palaces, two

heirloom tiaras and two haute couture gowns

monks who founded it – were Monaco royals Pierre Casiraghi, his wife Beatrice Borromeo and sisterin- law Tatiana Santo Domingo, along with Pierre’s stepbrothers Princes Ernst August and Christian of Hanover and their stylish wives Ekaterina and Alessandra.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE

After a small civil ceremony in the groom’s native Italy in June, the couple had pulled out all the stops to make this gathering unforgettable.

The 36- year- old bride drew gasps of awe as she arrived on her father’s arm to join her groom at the altar. She was wearing a

When it came to royal guests there were dozens, from the grand families of Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Hanover and Monaco

dramatic balloon- sleeved satin gown by Valentino, designed to stand out even in this extravagant baroque interior.

Crowning her look was the spectacular Habsburg Fringe Tiara, created at the end of the 19th century from diamonds set in silver and gold. Worn by Maria Anunciata’s late aunt Princess Marie at her own wedding to Prince Hans- Adam, it was a touching memento of a muchmissed loved one.

There were smiles of delight for the adorable junior attendants, including five flower girls who carried the Princess’s train. Dressed in white with green satin sashes and flowers in their hair, they looked very much at home in the light-filled setting wreathed in greenery and flowers.

After making their vows in a heartfelt service, Maria Anunciata and her groom, 42, waved to crowds of well-wishers as they set off for the first palace of the day. The Liechtenstein dynasty originally came from Austria, where they had close ties to the Habsburg emperors, and they own two

splendid ancestral properties in Vienna, the City Palace and the Garden Palace. The 18th-century City Palace was the first stop, the venue for a lavish lunch. Then, when evening came, it was time for a delicious banquet beneath the mythological frescoes of the Hercules Hall in the magnificent Garden Palace – known as the Gartenpalais – built in the early 18th century. In keeping with the setting, the Princess had changed into the second of her bridal outfits, a draped and bejewelled goddess gown. Her hair, which she had let down into loose waves, was topped with the second of her exquisite headpieces, the Diamond Vine Leaves Tiara, loaned to her by her aunt, the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.

After a feast that included a personalised Sachertorte dessert for each guest, the newlyweds cut the enormous wedding cake covered with raspberries.

Then it was time for dancing – though some preferred to wander through the manicured Englishstyle gardens, for which the palace is famous, or admire the priceless art collection that includes works by

There were smiles of delight for the adorable attendants

Raphael, Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt. It was easy to see where Maria Anunciata, an art curator by profession, developed her passion for it.

SPECIAL CELEBRATION

As midnight approached, Pierre Casiraghi’s circle was in especially festive mood for the start of his 34th birthday on 5 September. His wife, Italian journalist and model Beatrice, made no secret of her feelings for him in a scarlet tulle Dior gown with a heart-shaped bodice.

When the party finally drew to a close, it didn’t mean the end of celebrations. Two of Maria Anunciata’s siblings are also about to wed. The international family will reunite in Rome on 18 September to see London- based events planner Princess Marie-Astrid marry US oil heir Ralph Worthington and, shortly after that, Josef-Emanuel, an officer in the Irish Guards regiment, will say “I do” to Colombian María Claudia Echevarría.

It seems that Maria Anunciata and Emanuele – who heads AI start-up Pillo Health – will need to fit plenty of travel into their schedule in the coming months. And that’s without a honeymoon – or two.

When evening came it was time for a banquet in the Garden Palace

Floral crown: Maria Anunciata’s dazzling Fringe Tiara, the diadem of the royal family of Liechtenstein, is complemented by the stunning flower-strewn veil and petals in her hair

The radiant newlyweds. The bride’s satin Valentino gown, with its dramatic balloon sleeves, was more than a match for the baroque magnificence of Vienna’s Scots Church (left)

The couple make their vows (above), watched fondly by family and friends (below). The nuptials follow an intimate civil ceremony in June at Villa della Tenuta di Fassia near Gubbio in the groom’s native Italy. The exchange of rings (bottom) was an opportunity for a glimpse at the bride’s stunning diamond engagement ring

Heading the glittering guest list, Pierre Casiraghi and his wife Beatrice Borromeo arrive for the ceremony, the journalist and model elegant as ever in head-to-toe Dior

The

Distinguished guests: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg with Marie-Astrid von Habsburg (above left). Beatrice, with her husband Pierre close by, chats with Princess Ekaterina of Hanover (below)

The bride shares a special moment with a flower girl ( left) before the bridal party heads to the reception in style (bottom)

Emanuele and Maria Anunciata (right) – who had changed for the evening into another exquisite gown. Beatrice dazzles in Dior (above) and makes a stylish couple with husband Pierre (together below)