Just like all fairytales, let's begin this story with—once upon a time, a beautiful princess met a handsome prince.

Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez was crowned the Second Princess of Miss World 2003. The princess, daughter of Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, had dreams bigger than herself. She conquered countries, armed with her wit and smile.

Yilmaz Bektas was the heir of a rich Turkish family. He is a prince in his own right, owning businesses that involved petroleum, trading, diamonds, and communication. He cheated death twice, surviving a motorcycle accident and a fall from the roof of a house. Maybe God or fate had other plans for him.

In Cannes, France, the princess caught the prince's attention. She was there to cover the Cannes film festival. He was there to buy a boat. With just one smile, the two fell in love.

Three years later, on March 25, 2003, a wedding fit for a royal couple was set in a world away—in Manila, Philippines.

With the onset of the war in Iraq, Turkey's neighboring country, the prince hopped from one city to another to fulfill a promise he made to his princess. He arrived only three days before the big day.

Unlike other fairytales, this union—four years and two kids later—didn't end with a "they lived happily ever after."

Last May 8, the Philippine Star's entertainment section carried the headline "Ruffa and Yilmaz to file for annulment" in Ricky Lo's entertainment column. Ruffa cited "cultural differences" as the cause of the separation.

A joint statement was released during the latter part of the day saying: "It is with much regret that RUFFA GUTIERREZ and YILMAZ BEKTAS announce their mutual decision to end their four years of marriage.

"Earnest and sincere efforts at saving their marriage have failed. It is to the best interest of Ruffa and Yilmaz, their children, and respective families that such decision to sever marital ties had to be made.

"All issues and formalities concerning the dissolution of the marriage shall be done in accordance with applicable laws in the most cordial, amicable, and private way possible for the benefit of all concerned.

"Ruffa and Yilmaz will remain committed parents and continue to be friends as they live their separate lives. They ask for everyone's understanding and consideration in respecting the family's privacy during this most difficult time. No further statements will be issued."

PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) details the triumphs and trials the couple has gone through the years.