Wittstock now Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene

(CBS/AP) With some whispered "Oui's" and the flourish of a specially crafted pen, South African commoner Charlene Wittstock became Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco on Friday.

The 33-year-old former Olympic swimmer and Monaco's 53-year-old playboy prince were wed by Philippe Narmino, president of Monaco's Council of State, in a civil ceremony in the palace Throne Room, broadcast to crowds waiting outside.

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Wittstock succeeds Hollywood beauty Grace Kelly, who wed Albert's father, Prince Rainier III in 1956, had three children with him but died in a car accident in 1982.

Wittstock wore a silken blue jacket with ankle-length pants, an outfit that famed fashion house Chanel created for the civil ceremony. Also createrd just for the wedding was a Montblanc pen made in gold and precious stones and engraved with the initials of the bride and groom.

Wittstock was born in Zimbabwe, but moved to neighboring South Africa as a child and swam for that country at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Albert has been an International Olympic Committee member since 1985 and competed in five Winter Olympics as part of Monaco's bobsled team. Last week, Wittstock was named to the board of the International Special Olympics.