The Oyster Box, one of South Africa’s most lavish hotels, will host a reception for Prince Albert II of Monaco and his new bride, Charlene Wittstock, as they visit the eastern port city of Durban this week.

The five-star hotel is famous for sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and a presidential suite that lists for 50,000 rand ($7,400) a night.

The royal newlyweds, who are in town for a meeting of the International Olympic Committee will be throwing a party at the seaside hotel for 400 guests on Thursday.

The principality of Monaco consists of less than two square kilometres of steep and rocky real estate carved out of France’s Mediterranean coast.

Known today as a playground for the rich, replete with a casino and an annual car race that roars through its narrow streets, Monaco has been ruled almost continuously by the Grimaldi dynasty since 1297.

The current monarch, Prince Albert II, is due on July 1 to marry the Zimbabwean-born swimming champion Charlene Wittstock in a lavish ceremony.

A hybrid Lexus has been chosen as the official royal wedding car of Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock next month, the automaker has revealed.

A customized LS600h Landaulet with a transparent polycarbonate roof has been specially constructed for the occasion to allow guests to get a look at the couple during the event, scheduled for July 2.

It was dismantled to allow for the fitting of the 26kg roof, a special addition to the model, which will eventually go on display at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco.

Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock, his South African swimming champion fiancee, are to get married in Monte Carlo’s millionaire’s playground in a civil ceremony on July 1 followed by a religious ceremony the following day.

Monarchs and heads of state can watch the marriage itself within the palace while 3,500 less privileged guests can watch on a giant screen.

On July 1, a large concert will be offered by the newly-weds on the Port with electro musician/composer Jean-Michel Jarre.

Prince Albert II of Monaco has awarded a royal warrant to Lexus as Official Supplier to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

Confirming his commitment for more environmentally friendly solutions, he has decided to use a Lexus hybrid car at the occasion of his marriage to Miss Charlene Wittstock on Saturday 2nd July 2011.

This Lexus LS600h has been specially outfitted with the royal flag, “MC 01″ license plate and flashing lights.

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

“Yes, I want to declare, I will make the wedding dress,” Armani confirmed to reporters after his fashion show in Milan on Sunday.

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