For those who still believe in the institution of monarchy and the legitimacy of kings, queens and royalty in general in this day and age (…some 2,500 years after the Athenians gave birth to democracy), 2011 will be marked by the royal weddings of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, and to a lesser extent, Prince Albert II of Monaco to Miss Charlene Wittstock.

If you wondering what all this has to do with the world of automobiles, Lexus’ European division announced today that it has received the royal stamp of approval from His Serene Highness [HSH] Prince Albert II of Monaco. The latter appointed the Japanese automaker as the official supplier of luxury cars to the blue-blooded residents of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

The head of the House of Grimaldi and the ruler of the Principality of Monaco will make use of an LS hybrid limo at the occasion of his marriage to Miss Charlene Wittstock on Saturday July 2, 2011.

Lexus said that the decision to award a royal warrant to the Japanese company was based on Prince Albert II’s “commitment for more environmentally friendly solutions”. The son of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and the American actress Grace Kelly, founded the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is said to support more than 150 projects monitoring environmental evolution and protecting species endangered by climate changes, as well as providing assistance in water management in developing regions.