Hollywood Good

PRINCE Albert of Monaco's fiancée Charlene Wittstock tried to flee the tiny principality on a one-way ticket back to her homeland, (South Africa) L'Express reports.

The reports come just days before Wittstock and her royal beau are set to tie the knot in a $75 million wedding.

According to the French news website, a “shaken” Wittstock fled to the airport in Nice after discovering a new revelation about her future husband, but was stopped by police acting on royal orders who persuaded the former swimming champ not to leave.

A member of Monaco’s billionaire Pastor property clan was brought in to act as an intermediary, the magazine also claims

But, with just 48 hours to go until the extravagant three day event kicks off, the royal palace's publicity machine has gone into overdrive, denying reports of Wittstock's airport dash.

"A few days before the marriage of His Most Serene Highness Prince Albert with Miss Charlene Wittstock, the princely palace firmly denies the lying allegations," the palace said in a statement.

"These rumours have the sole aim of harming the image of the sovereign and consequently that of Miss Wittstock, and cause serious damage to this happy event."

The bride-to-be is now in Paris ahead of this weekend's wedding, a major event on the European social calendar that brings back memories of the wedding of Albert's father, Prince Rainier III, to the American actress Grace Kelly in 1956.

Guests invited to the three-day celebrations will quaff hundreds of bottles Perrier-Jouët Champagne, enjoy a multi-course dinner from three-Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse and be entertained by a concert by the Eagles, The New York Times reports.

Australian swimmer Sophie Edington and her partner, Melbourne Rebels player Adam Byrnes, will reportedly join the Earl and Countess of Wessex, President Nicolas Sarkozy, Naomi Campbell, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani, Richard Branson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Top Shop tycoon Philip Green at the ultra-extravagant bash.