PRINCE RAINIER - PRINCE ALBERT SET TO WED?

PRINCE ALBERT of Monaco's bachelor days are numbered following reports the European royal is set to wed former South African Olympian CHARLENE WITTSTOCK. Blonde Wittstock, 28, has become a constant companion to Albert in recent months, accompanying the Monaco leader to the Winter Olympics in Italy and at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix last month (MAY06). Insiders claim the potential bride-to-be has been shopping around for an engagement ring and has reportedly met with BERNARD BARSI, the Archbishop Of Monaco, to discuss wedding ceremony plans. Reports of an upcoming engagement come after a difficult year for Albert, who took over from his father PRINCE RAINIER as Monaco's ruler last year (05) following Rainier's death. Just weeks after Albert's coronation, he was forced to acknowledge he had fathered an illegitimate son with Togolese air stewardess NICOLE COSTE. Another love child emerged earlier this year (06) when Albert recognised 14-year-old JAZMIN ROTOLO as his daughter from a brief romance with a Californian waitress. The 48-year-old royal has had a string of high-profile girlfriends, including supermodels NAOMI CAMPBELL and CLAUDIA SCHIFFER.