According to the palace, Princess Charlene will be absent from Monaco’s National Day Celebrations. She will rather take time for calm and relaxation in order not to become fatigued.
The former Olympian, 43, returned to the principality last week following a 10-month absence after she recovered from surgery following a sinus infection she contracted during a solo charity trip to her native South Africa earlier this year.
Albert, aged 63, insists that his wife will return home ‘way earlier’ during the summer. [Monaco’s National Day]On November 19, she said that “she was in great form and much more positive spirits”.
However after flying back in Monaco after flying by private jet from the South African city of Durban to Nice, France, a ‘frail’ Charlene posed for snaps with Prince Albert, and their two children six-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella.
And in the days that followed, it quickly emerged Princess Charlene may not live in her husband Albert’s palace following her return home and does not plan to immediately resume public engagements.
Prince Albert has since stepped out several times on his own, first at the Expo 2020 in Dubai and today at the Monaco Red Cross headquarters.
A press release was shared by Prince Albert and Charlene today. It stated that the Princess is in a period of convalescence and would continue so over the next few weeks to allow Her to recuperate from profound general fatigue.
Princess Charlene, 43 years old, won’t be attending Monaco’s National Day Celebrations. She will, however, take some time to relax and recover from fatigue.
Charlene has returned home from South Africa, but Prince Albert is now out and about on his own. He was first seen at Expo 2020 Dubai. Today, he is at the Monaco Red Cross headquarters.
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.
“The Princess is looking forward to returning to her Princely duties as well as spending time with her Monegasques, once her health allows.”
As the statement was released, Prince Albert stepped out to visit the Red Cross headquarters, where he could be seen posing with a citizens while handing out parcels.
Prince Albert visited the Red Cross Headquarters, and was seen taking photos with citizens as he handed out parcels.
While visiting Monaco’s organisation on a single engagement earlier today, the royal chose a red face cover.
The solo appearance came days after Albert attended the Expo in Dubai without his wife, instead appearing with his sister Princess Stephanie and her son Louis Ducruet.
Meanwhile Chantell Wittstock, Charlene’s sister-in-law and PR for her charitable Foundation in South Africa, said not only that it is ‘unclear’ whether the princess will be living full-time in the Palace, but also that her return to formal duties is dependent on her recovery from a mystery illness.
Charlene was living in Monaco’s modest apartment with two bedrooms above a chocolate factory, about 300m from her departure in January. This raised eyebrows. The possibility exists that she might return to live at the property.
When asked if the Princess would return to their arm’s length arrangement, Charlene Wittstock (married to Sean), said that she didn’t yet know. Ms. Wittstock, who is married to Charlene’s brother Sean, said that she will likely be traveling between them wherever it’s convenient.
Prince Albert can be seen at the Visit shaking hands with Monegasque citizens and giving them packages
The royal made the visit as a solo guest, just days after Princess Charlene left South Africa.
“And all of this is not yet clear. 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. However, it will be for her and her family.
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. What I can confirm is that Princess Diana is now in Monaco, with her husband and their children. That should be enough.
This will invariably cast doubt over last week’s photocall when Charlene, Albert and their kids were reunited after a 10-month separation from Monaco.
Charlene was unable to spend time with her family as she recuperated from sinus surgery she received on a solo charitable trip in South Africa earlier this year.
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 was not as confident when she answered the question about Charlene returning to public engagements.
“That does not happen overnight. This is going to be a slow pace. Her main priority right now is to spend time with her family and children.
Charlene’s grand return after surgery to treat a sinus infection from a solo charity visit earlier in the year. Charlene was unable to see her family for months. 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. 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.” Charlene thanked everyone for their support, but didn’t name-check 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. That’s the reason she is back in Monaco, with her family.
The Princess Charlene of Monte Carlo Foundation promotes wildlife conservation and water safety in Africa. She indicated that it would soon cover the whole 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. As of next year, the foundation will be expanding to all of Africa.
“As far Charlene goes. Positive outlook. You know that she will get back to her full strength. It won’t happen overnight.
This new development will fuel intense speculation about the future marriage between Charlene and Albert.
French media drew skepticism towards Monday’s photo.
Albert, six year-old twins Princess Gabriella, and Prince Jacques, were waiting at Monte Carlo helipad for her. 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, a French celebrity magazine that covers celebrities in France on Tuesday was the focus of the question.
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.
“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.
He said that there had been a time when it was clear she was reluctant to be a princess. But now, something is very different. There’s clearly something wrong with either her or the marriage, and we don’t know why.
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 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 was also informed by a Monte Carlo source that Charlene will be proudly moving back to Palace to live like a Princess.
“That is what Monaco’s people want because they love the Royals and don’t want their Royals living apart.”
Charlene received criticisms before her trip to South Africa. She was accused of dividing her time among several properties other than the Palais.
Charlene chose Chocolate Factory over the palatial rooms that overlook the Mediterranean.
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 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.
Are Charlene and Albert at Risk of Breaking Up, Match, August’s headline.
The note stated, “There won’t be a photo of their 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 (author and historian) told the magazine, “Lots were misled into believing it to be an arranged 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.
“As Karl Marx said, History repeats itself: First as tragedy and then as farce.”
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 is notable for her inability to attend every major event held by the tax haven principleity this year.
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 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, born to Albert and Maria in 2004, was the result of an illicit affair.
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.
The parties have not yet commented, suggesting that some sort of settlement could be reached. This is similar to what happened with Albert and his earlier lovers.
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 airline hostess.
They were both removed from Monaco’s lineage of succession and received large financial settlements.