MailOnline learned that Princess Charlene of Monaco might not be able to live in Prince’s Palace with her husband and will not immediately resume public duties.
Charlene Wittstock’s sister in law and public relations officer for the charitable Foundation in South Africa Chantell Wittstock stated that while it was ‘unclear” whether Charlene will live full-time in The Palace but that she would need to recover from an unknown illness in order to return to her formal duties.
Charlene lived in Monaco in a two-bedroom apartment, 300m from the 12th Century Palace, before she moved on to January. She could possibly return to the house.
These claims will undoubtedly cast doubt on the photocall that Charlene attended earlier in week, when Prince Albert (63) and his children were reunited after a 10-month separation 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.
Are happy families possible? MailOnline learned that Princess Charlene, the Prince of Monaco, may no longer live with her husband at The Prince’s Palace after she returns home. Charlene, her husband and children were photographed on Monday morning after Charlene returned from 10 months’ absence. French commentators were skeptical of the reunion.
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 were skeptical about the reunion that was shared via Instagram amid intense speculation over the status of 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.
If the Princess will now return to her arm’s-length relationship with Sean her brother Charlene, Ms Wittstock said, “Oh, we don’t know yet.” It’s likely she will commute between the two of them, depending on where she is most comfortable.
“And it’s not clear where she will settle or what her plans are. She’s only recently returned, so everyone is still 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.” She said, “But it will also be with her husband as well as 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. Picture of the Princess arriving in Monaco this 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. A hand-picked photographer joined the family inside Palace walls to take the “reunion” photos.
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 is happy to be together: Charlene’s sister in law said that she was thrilled to see her family again. Charlene and her son Jacques, on Monday when she returned to Monaco
Charlene was equally uncertain when asked about Charlene’s plans to return to public speaking engagements. She said: “She will absolutely – if all goes well. If she is still in healing and recovery.
It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s clear that she will be relaxing. She will spend her time right now with her kids and family.
“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. That’s the reason she is back in Monaco, with her family.
When Ms Wittstock was asked about media reports focusing on the marriage of her sister-in law, she replied: “It’s absolutely nothing I can comment upon. However, I can tell you that the princess has returned to Monaco with her husband.
The Princess Charlene of Monte Carlo Foundation promotes wildlife conservation and water safety in Africa. She indicated that it would soon cover 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 is concerned. 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 new development will fuel intense speculation about the future marriage between Charlene and Albert.
French media greeted Monday’s photos with an abundance of skepticalness.
Albert, 63 years old, was waiting with her six-year-old twins Prince Gabriella and Prince Jacques at Monte Carlo helipad. A hand-picked photographer joined the family inside Palace walls to take the “reunion” photos.
There was doubt about their living arrangement.
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 used this video on social media to express gratitude to everyone who helped her during months of illness.
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.
One cafe owner, in his 50s and requesting anonymity, said that while they are happy to have her back, she didn’t look good.
He confessed that, in the years before, he had, along with many Monegasques expressed dissatisfaction at Charlene’s less prominent status than 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 with the marriage. And for whatever reason, we are not being told why.”
Charlene seems to be in a wall, at least from what she is seeing, since she has fled behind the Palace’s ramparts for now.
Her Palace Press Officer stated she couldn’t return telephone calls to MailOnline and that she didn’t reply to the list of questions we had sent.
There are no new doubts regarding the relationship between Monaco’s royal family and Charlene. MailOnline was informed by several residents who live in Monaco Ville’s narrow alleyways that Charlene spent most of her time at home, not far from the Palace at Chocolate Factory apartment.
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 palatial rooms with views over the Mediterranean and having a staff that includes butlers and cooks.
Charlene married Prince Albert II, of Monaco, in 2011. She has lived in South Africa most of the year. This has led to speculation about a possible split. Albert brought their children to see them in August
Last Monaco outing together before her departure: Charlene and Albert were last pictured together at an official event together in January at the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco
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 and stayed at RocAgel. This mountain retreat is located on the outskirts Monaco, originally built for Albert’s mother Grace Kelly, the Hollywood star Grace Kelly, who was Princess Grace after her tragic car accident on the steep road to RocAgel.
Charlene also visited a vacation home on Corsica, a Mediterranean island.
Paris Match, the celeb bible, has always had particularly close ties with the Grimaldis – the ancient dynasty now headed by Albert and Charlene.
Are Charlene and Albert at Risk 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, a conservative and upmarket woman ran the headline “Are Charlene II and Albert II of Monaco about to divorce?”
Philippe Delorme, historian and author told the magazine that many people had the wrong impression. It was actually an arrangement marriage.
“Albert” chose Charlene as his wife because she resembled his mom. Charlene was clearly uncomfortable in the Grace Kelly role that they desired her to fill.
Karl Marx stated that history repeats itself.
It was an extravagant three-day celebration that included a concert by Eagles. Photographs of Charlene, the bride, in tears and her husband looking distant raised concerns among some. But Charlene said later that it was not a concern.
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 understood to be the first indication of an ever-growing crisis, which could result in a divorce worth millions.
Charlene fled South Africa in a month following the revelation that Albert had filed another paternity suit last December.
An anonymous Brazilian woman claimed that her 15 year-old daughter, who is not allowed to be named due to legal reasons, was born of an affair in which she met Albert in 2004.
Charlene and Albert were not engaged yet, although they knew each other for 4 years following their meeting in Monaco at a gala of swimming 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 Grildi (now 29) and Alexandre Coste (17), are the results of Albert’s affair with an American agent for estates. Alexandre Coste was 17 when Alexandre’s mother is a former Togolese flight attendant.
They were both removed from Monaco’s lineage of succession and received large financial settlements.