Will divorce rumors and health concerns finally leave Princess Charlene of Monaco alone?
The year 2021 was colored by adversity for Princess Charlene of Monaco. The holiday trip to Princess Charlene’s birthplace, South Africa, which began at the beginning of the year, stretched into half a year as the former swimmer suffered from severe ear, pharynx and sinus infections. 44-year-old Charlene described the time as very difficult.
– I miss my husband and children very much. It was especially hard to hear when my doctors told me I couldn’t go home on my 10th wedding anniversary. Albert is my rock and without his love and support I wouldn’t have survived this, Charlene said in July 2021.
The 2011 marriage has faced many setbacks, from Albert’s illegitimate children to Charlene’s recent health concerns. All Over Press
The recovering Charlene returned to Monaco in November 2021, but soon had to go to a treatment facility in Switzerland. This time the reason was reported to be exhaustion.
– Everything was overwhelming for him and he could not face his official duties, life in general or family life, Prince Albert II of Monaco described his spouse’s condition.
The year ended on a sad note, when Charlene had to spend Christmas away from her children, seven-year-old twins at the time, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. In February 2022, Prince Albert commented that Charlene is already doing much better. In a statement, both Albert and Charlene expressed hope that the princess would be able to return to her family in Monaco very soon.
Back in the public eye
The Court of Monaco announced on March 12 that Princess Charlene had finally returned to her home in Monaco. The return came fittingly ahead of Albert’s 64th birthday, which was celebrated on March 14. On Easter, the princess published a sunny photo on her Instagram account, where the couple is sitting in the garden with their children.
In May, Charlene appeared in public for the first time since her illness. Dressed in a stylish gray outfit, Charlene watched the Monaco E-Prix with her family, but seemed serious.
Charlene returned to the public eye serious. All Over Press
The setbacks still didn’t leave the Princess of Monaco alone: at the beginning of June, Charlene was diagnosed with the coronavirus. However, the recovery was obviously quick, because already on June 22, Charlene and Albert and their children traveled to Oslo, where they posed on the red carpet with Prince Haakon of Norway. The princely couple, who got married in 2011, appeared exceptionally cheerful, and during the visit, Charlene and Albert showed rare displays of affection.
Charlene and Albert’s rare display of affection was immortalized in photos in Oslo. Marius Gulliksrud
The couple’s rapprochement was noticed, because only a moment before, a French newspaper claimed that the princely couple was on the verge of a divorce and that Charlene was moving to Geneva without her children. Body language experts had also assessed the distance between Charlene and Albert as very distant. Among other things, the princess’s health concerns were considered to be the reason for her stiff appearance.
– It would be unfair to expect Charlene, who suffered from health concerns, to publicly show intimacy in front of the public. Going slowly is definitely a better approach, as she clearly needs support and love, not any coercion, body language expert Judy James told.
Over the course of the summer, Charlene appeared in public to an increasing extent. In July, a group of tourists were surprised when, while visiting the Prince of Monaco’s palace, they were met by the princess herself. Charlene posed with the group in happy group photos and hugged tourists.
Later that week, Albert and Charlene proudly watched their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella’s award ceremony. The twins completed a week-long sailing course, at the end of which they were awarded medals. The family was immortalized in a joint photo at an event organized in the port of Monaco.
Dressed in Prada, Charlene attended the traditional Red Cross Ball charity gala on July 18. VU/VILLARD/SIPA/Shutterstock
Family first
In the fall, Charlene also became active on social media. At the beginning of November, Charlene published a picture on her Instagram account, where Gabriella and Jacques pose in the spirit of Halloween in fancy dress.
– Happy Halloween, Charlene wishes with a pumpkin emoji. In the picture, Gabriella is dressed as a pumpkin and Jacques as Dracula.
On Monaco’s National Day, November 19, Princess Charlene posted another photo of her children. This time Gabriella was dressed in a red coat dress and Jacques in a mini military uniform.
In December, Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II participated together in the Red Cross Christmas gift campaign. They were captured smiling in Monaco.
The couple appeared together at the Christmas event of the Red Cross. Pool/ABACA/Shutterstock
Princess Charlene’s difficulties seem to be history at last. In recent photos, Charlene seems to be in good health and the life of Monaco’s first family is easy. The divorce speculations that have lasted for years have also been buried, at least for now.
Perhaps the curse of the Grimaldi family has finally been lifted.