Princess Charlene of Monaco has paid tribute to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu after he passed away in hospital aged 90 over the weekend.
Tutu was first diagnosed with prostate cancer late in 1990s. In recent years, he was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions for complications related to his cancer treatment.
Charlene (44), is currently in recovery in a facility in an undisclosed area after she was sent home with ‘exhaustion’ in the days following her return from Monaco in November. This follows a 10-month absence from her homeland South Africa.
Following the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the age of 90, Princess Charlene de Monaco, has made a tribute to him.
Charlene took to Instagram to post a picture of her smiling couple together.
My dear friend, I will miss you. Your father is always with you.(sic)
I will cherish fond memories of you. Your laughter will always be in my heart. Rejoice in peace.
The Office of the Archbishop of South Africa released a statement Sunday on behalf of the Tutu Family, saying that the Nobel Peace Prize winner and veteran of South Africa’s fight against white minority rule had ‘died peacefully this morning at the Oasis frail care centre in Cape Town’. The cause of death was not disclosed by the officials.
Charlene was a part of an initiative to raise funds for charity in 2011 when she met Desmond at numerous times, including at her home in Cape Town’s Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre.
Charlene posted a photo of them together on Instagram and wrote, “My dear friend. You will be missed.” Your father is always with you.
I will cherish fond memories of you. Your laughter will always be in my heart. Rest in Peace. Charlene wrote
Last week’s palace statement revealed that Prince Albert and his children planned to visit Charlene over the holiday season, while also asking for privacy.
The mother-of-two shared a sketched Christmas portrait of her family and ‘wished everyone a beautiful and safe festive season’.
The seventh birthday celebration of Gabriella and Jacques, the royal’s twins, was missed by the princess earlier in the month. However, she shared pictures of the event on Instagram with the caption: ‘Happy Birthday my babies.
“Thanks God, for blessing me so many wonderful children. Truly blessed. Mother, I love you.
According to reports, the princess is undergoing a satisfactory and encouraging recovery. However it could take several months for her full health to recover.
A source close to the royal said that Page Six was being unfairly portrayed by a friend as someone with a mental or emotional problem.
“We don’t know the reason why she is being downplayed by the palace that she almost lost her life in South Africa.”
Princess Charlene sent a sketched portrait of her family (pictured), and she wished them all a happy and safe Christmas season as she is in hospital.
Sources said that the royal was suffering from severe ear and nose infections, which led to severe swallowing and sinus problems.
She added that her friend had been through many operations and she is no longer able to eat solid food for the past six months. Her body has lost almost half its weight since she was unable to drink liquids without a straw.
Elsewhere friends of Princess Charlene gave Tatler a rare insight into what the royal is really like, insisting that the former swimmer is a force to be reckoned with.
According to one source, Charlene was not ‘naive’ or trapped in an unhappy marital relationship with Albert.
However, one cautioned that the seven-year-old mother of Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques was not to be trusted by the Monaco royals.
“Charlene is not Princess Di.” One of them said. ‘She may come across as being extremely naïve, but nothing could be further from the truth. She’s very adept at hiding her intellect.
Prince Albert continues to appear with his twins, Jacques & Gabriella. At a Monaco tree planting ceremony and Monaco National Day celebrations the trio was joined by their twins, Prince Albert and Gabriella. There, the children held heartfelt signs reading, “Miss you Mama” and, “Love you Mommy.”
Charlene was forced to leave following new allegations that Albert, an ex-swimmer for South Africa and Charlene had a child with a Brazilian woman.
Charlene (44), is currently in recovery in an undisclosed treatment center after she was sent home with ‘exhaustion’ in the days following her return from Monaco in November. She had been absent for 10 months in South Africa.
Palais Princier last week announced that Princess Charlene was still some “months” away from full recovery
For his peaceful opposition to apartheid, Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Ten years later, Tutu witnessed the fall of apartheid and presided over a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was established to discover atrocities perpetrated during those terrible days.
He was a strong advocate against white majority tyranny and, even though it ended, he continued to fight for fair South Africa.
In his dying years, he was disappointed that his vision of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ had not been realized.
Following the announcement, tributes came in from all over the globe.
According to the Queen, she was ‘deeply sorry’ for Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s death. She said that he had ‘tirelessly advocated human rights across South Africa’.
According to the Duke and Duchess, Archbishop Desmond Tutu was “remembered” for his optimism, moral clarity and joyful spirit.
Last week Palais Princier announced that Princess Charlene is still some ‘months away’ from a full recovery.
Left to right: Nelson Mandela, Tutu and Frederik W. de Klerk talk on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfronts in Cape Town at the Nobel Peace Project’s 2003 announcement
As he addresses the Peres Center for Peace, January 11, Tutu makes a powerful point about Israellis making peace and the Palestinians making lasting Peace. Tutu stated that if South Africa can make peace, then surely Israel and Palestine can and will.