Prince Albert revealed that Princess Charlene is now in Monaco, but is secretly staying there while she recovers from fatigue.
Albert, aged 63, spoke to Monaco-Matin yesterday and confirmed that his wife had left the Principality in less than 2 weeks, having returned from South Africa 10 months ago.
He said that she is doing better but still requires rest and peace. She isn’t in the Principality at this time, but she will be soon.
I cannot speak highly enough about discretion. You can treat all types of fatigue with rest and follow up.
This comes just days after Charlene was informed by the House of Grimaldi that she will not be attending Monaco’s National Day Celebrations, one of the most important events on the royal calendar.
Charlene, 43, returned to her husband and six-year-old twins in Monaco last Monday following a 10-month absence while she recovered from surgery following a sinus infection she contracted during a solo charity trip to her native South Africa earlier this year.
Prince Albert revealed that Princess Charlene has left Monaco. She is currently’recovering’ from fatigue, which is more than just physical.
Monaco-Matin, Albert, 63 confirmed yesterday that Charlene, his wife, has returned to Monaco after a 10-month absence. Charlene and Albert at their South African reunion.
In the days after her arrival, Charlene’s sister-in-law Chantell Wittstock, told MailOnline the princess would not be returning to the palace and did not plan to immediately return to public engagements. Prince Albert has continued to carry out royal duties on his own.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the couple said: ‘The Princess is currently convalescing and will continue to do so for the coming weeks, allowing Her time to recover from a state of profound general fatigue.’
The statement said the couple have ‘both decided that a period of calm and rest is necessary to ensure the very best recovery for Princess Charlene’s health.’
It continued: ‘In order to protect the comfort and privacy essential to Her recovery, the Princess’ location will remain strictly confidential.
‘As soon as her health permits, the Princess looks forward to once again carrying out her Princely duties and spending time with the Monegasques.’
Before she left in January, Charlene had raised eyebrows in Monaco by living in a modest two-bedroom apartment above an old chocolate factory about 300m away, rather than in the 12th Century Palace itself. It is thought she could return to living at the property.
Asked whether the Princess would now return to the arm’s-length arrangement the couple had before her departure, Ms Wittstock, married to Charlene’s brother Sean, who is on the board of her charitable foundation, said: ‘Oh, we don’t know yet. She’ll probably be commuting between the two, wherever she’s comfortable.
Charlene’s sister Chantell Wittstock informed MailOnline in the days following her arrival that Charlene would not be returning home to the palace. Also, she did not intend to return immediately to public appearances. Prince Albert continues to perform royal duties (pictured).
“And it’s not clear where she will settle or what her plans are. It’s all about everyone finding their feet. They are both excited to visit their mom and the Princess is thrilled to see them again.
“So, we’ll find out where she will settle. It will also be her husband, and her children.
When Ms Wittstock was asked by reporters about stories that focused on Prince Albert’s sister-in law’s marriage, she replied: “It’s absolutely nothing I can comment upon. However, I can tell you that the princess is currently in Monaco with her husband.
This will invariably cast doubt over last week’s photocall when Charlene, Albert and their kids were reunited after a decade-long absence from Monaco.
Charlene spent many months away from her family in South Africa as she was recovering from surgery to treat a sinus infection which she got on an earlier charity tour.
Separate lives? Charlene lived in an apartment with two bedrooms above a chocolate factory 300m from the Palace. This raised eyebrows before she moved on to January. The possibility of her returning to the property is up for debate.
Low-key: Instead of enjoying palatial rooms overlooking the Mediterranean, and a domestic staff including butlers and cooks, the apartment, pictured, is a pared back apartment
French commentators viewed the reunion on Instagram with suspicion amid feverish speculation regarding the Grimaldis marriage.
Charlene’s time away followed fresh allegations last December that Albert had fathered a love-child (which would be his third, if proven) with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene, a former Olympic swimmer for South Africa, were already in a relationship.
Charlene responded equally confused to the question about Charlene returning to public engagements.
It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s clear that she will be relaxing. Her main priority right now is to spend time with her children.
Charlene made a grand return to Monaco after a lengthy absence from her family. She was recovering from surgery for a sinus infection that she had contracted on a charity solo trip in January. The princess arrived in Monaco Monday.
Carefully choreographed: Albert, 63, was waiting for her at the Monte Carlo helipad, along with their six-year-old twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques. For the “reunion photos”, the family was joined inside Palace walls by a carefully selected photographer.
Hidden message? Charlene shared a picture of their reunion via Instagram. She wrote “Happy Day Today.” She thanked all of you for supporting me, but she did not mention her husband.
Charlene was delighted to be reunited with her siblings. Charlene and her son Jacques, on Monday when she returned to Monaco
“All that we can tell you right now, is that all her South African procedures were successful. Medically, she is now able to fly home. She is now back with her children in Monaco.
She stated that the Princess Charlene Foundation of Monaco, which supports water safety in Africa and wildlife conservation, will soon be expanded to include the entire continent.
“The primary reason she came to Africa was to start more Foundation projects. She fell ill, and the Foundation South Africa team continued with them all, making sure everything went exactly as she desired.
“Even in recovery and between surgeries, the princess tried to remain completely hands-on, on the ground, and work alongside us. From next year, it will expand into all of Africa.
“As far Charlene goes. It’s a positive outlook and it is clear that Charlene is going to be back at her best and go full steam ahead. This is not something that will happen in an instant.
This latest development will undoubtedly fuel the speculation surrounding the future of Charlene’s marriage to Albert.
French media greeted Monday’s photos with an abundance of skepticalness.
Albert and their twins of six years, Prince Gabriella (aged 6), were waiting to meet her at Monte Carlo helipad. A hand-picked photographer joined the family inside Palace walls to take the “reunion” photos.
However, there were already questions about the living arrangements of the couple.
The ‘Reunion Of Albert and Charlene Monaco: Where do They Sleep?’ Gala in Paris, France was headlined with the following question on Tuesday.
And Voici – another popular magazine read widely across Monaco and France – ran with: ‘Charlene of Monaco back: the Princess breaks the silence and forgets to mention her husband’.
Charlene made this reference by using social media videos to thank everyone for their help during her months of sickness.
The shadow of the Palace 12th-century Prince’s Palace was visible in the crowds. People couldn’t hide their concern about Charlene after seeing the pictures of Charlene’s frailty.
“We’re glad she’s back,” said a Rock cafe owner in his 50s who requested anonymity.
He acknowledged that he, like other Monegasques in the past, was frustrated at Charlene’s lack of visibility compared to other royals.
“There was once a feeling that she had become a reluctant princess,” he stated. “But this time, there is clearly something different. Something’s not right with her, or the marriage. And for whatever reason, we are not being told.”
Charlene appears to have retreated behind Palace ramparts, which suggests that there is a wall surrounding her.
The Palace’s press officer stated that she was unable to return phone calls via MailOnline, and didn’t respond to our list of questions.
There are no new doubts regarding the relationship between Monaco’s royal family and Charlene. MailOnline received confirmations from several Monaco Ville residents that Charlene had spent the majority of her time in Monaco Ville, the narrow medieval streets.
One source said that she saw her often outside of the Palace, but she’d usually go alone, or with a guard, and never with Albert. It was clear she preferred to be in her apartment, not the palace.
MailOnline received a second source from Monte Carlo who knew the couple very well. He said that Charlene should proudly return to Palace, and live as if she were a princess.
“That is what Monaco’s people want because they love the Royals and don’t want their Royals living apart.”
Charlene was criticised for her split between multiple properties, including the Palais, which is the official residence for the Sovereign Albert II, before she traveled to South Africa.
Charlene chose to visit the Chocolate Factory instead of living in a palatial room overlooking the Mediterranean and having a staff that includes butlers and cooks.
It only had two bedrooms, and had been used in the past by Albert’s sister, Princess Stéphanie.
Stéphanie, 56, led an extremely turbulent personal life herself that included two divorces and high-profile affairs with security guards and an elephant trainer.
Charlene also escaped Royal protocol, staying at Roc Angel. It is a mountain retreat in the outskirts Monaco that was originally renovated for Albert’s mom, Grace Kelly. Grace Kelly became Princess Grace when she tragically died in a car accident while driving up the treacherous road towards Roc Angel.
Charlene visited also often a Corsican holiday home that was owned by her friends.
Paris Match, the celeb bible, has always had particularly close ties with the Grimaldis – the ancient dynasty now headed by Albert and Charlene.
“Charlene and Albert are on the Verge Of Breaking Up?” Match, August’s headline.
It stated that there would be no photograph for the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary.
All the high-end French publications – the kind that Albert and Charlene would normally grant fawning interviews to – concurred.
Madame Figaro was a very conservative, upmarket candidate. She ran with this headline: “Are Charlene & Albert II of Monaco on verge of Divorce?”
Philippe Delorme, historian and author told the magazine that many people had the wrong impression. It was actually an arrangement marriage.
Charlene felt uncomfortable playing the Grace Kelly part that Albert wanted.
Karl Marx stated that history repeats itself.
Even the 2011 wedding was a lavish three-day affair that featured a performance by The Eagles. However, some were worried by photographs of the bride crying with her husband. Charlene later claimed that she was only emotional.
Charlene’s absence at every flagship event of the tax haven principality has made her stand out.
These include the Monaco Grand Prix, May 23rd, and Fashion Awards on May 18th hosted by Princess Grace’s charitable foundation.
Charlene famously chopped off half her head like a punk rocker last Christmas.
This was seen by many as the first sign of an ever-growing crisis, which could result in a divorce worth millions.
Charlene began her exile to South Africa a month ago, after the discovery that Albert was in yet another paternity suit.
According to a Brazilian woman, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, her 15-year old daughter is the product of an affair she had with Albert in 2004.
Although Albert and Charlene weren’t yet engaged, they were already friends for over four years. They met at a Monaco swimming gala in 2000.
The claimant’s lawyers were to request a DNA test at Milan’s court earlier in the year. His own counsel called the move ‘a hoax.
Both parties are not commenting now, which suggests that a generous settlement might have been reached as was the case with Albert’s former love children.
Jazmin Grace Grimaldi is 29 years old and is the product of Albert’s affair and Alexandre Coste is 17-years-old. Alexandre Coste is an ex-Togolese flight attendant.
They were both removed from Monaco’s lineage of succession and received large financial settlements.