Giorgio Armani to design dress for Monaco royal wedding

Charlene Wittstock has chosen Giorgio Armani to design her dress for her wedding to Monaco's Prince Albert II.

The 76-year-old designer made the announcement after showing his collection at Milan Menswear Fashion Week on Sunday (16.01.11).

He said: "Yes, I want to declare, I will make the wedding dress."

Giorgio and his niece Roberta are close friends of the 32-year-old bride-to-be with Roberta recently revealing she was more excited about the Monaco wedding than the British royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

She said: "But Charlene is my friend, which makes me biased! She is perfect for being a princess. She's down-to-earth but also clever, determined. She shines in our clothes!"

Former Olympic swimmer Charlene attended Armani's shows in Italy in 2008 and 2009 and often wears the designer's clothes to events.

Last year, she wore a gown by Armani to Monaco's Rose Ball Gala and, more recently, the princess-to-be wore Armani Prive at Monaco's National Day, November 24.

Giorgio did not give any details on the gown for the July 2 nuptials.