Princess Charlene of Monaco cut a glamorous figure as she joined her husband Prince Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo today – as she continues her return to royal life following her 10-month absence.
The former Olympic swimmer, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques with her 64-year-old royal partner, dazzled in a floral blue gown when attending the lavish charity ball.
Her appearance comes just days after she was notably absent from the Monaco Rose Ball, one of the highlights of the principality’s social calendar. It was attended by Prince Albert, his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover, and other members of the royal family.
This evening’s social and charity event was launched in 1948, when Prince Rainier III of Monaco presided at the first gala held by the newly founded Monaco Red Cross.
Princess Charlene of Monaco cut a glamorous figure as she joined her husband Prince Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo today
The former Olympic swimmer, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques with her 64-year-old royal partner, dazzled in a floral blue gown when attending the lavish charity ball
Looking effortlessly elegant, Charlene teamed her floral sleeveless number with a black clutch bag and a silver necklace featuring a butterfly pendant.
She opted for dainty silver earrings and completed her appearance with a glamorous makeup look.
Albert, meanwhile, looked dapper in a navy blazer and white trouser combo, finished off with a bright red tie. The couple were joined by Princess Stephanie of Monaco’s daughter Camille Gottlieb.
Last weekend, Charlene joined her husband to celebrate their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella passing a summer sailing camp.
The royal posed for photos, shared online by the official Prince’s Palace Instagram account, with the twins, who could be seen holding up gold medals from their course.
The couple were joined by Princess Stephanie of Monaco’s daughter Camille Gottlieb (left)
This evening’s social and charity event was launched in 1948, when Prince Rainier III of Monaco presided at the first gala held by the newly founded Monaco Red Cross. Pictured, the royal couple
Looking effortlessly elegant, Charlene teamed her floral sleeveless number with a black clutch bag and a silver necklace featuring a butterfly pendant
The caption read: ‘Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella received their “Seadventures Summer Camp” diploma this afternoon at the end of their week of training to discover sailing and raise awareness of the marine world organized by the Yacht Club of Monaco.
‘The previous week, the princely children had taken part in an introductory course in diving and water rescue at the Monegasque sea academy, the blue school.’
Charlene has only recently re-entered royal life after largely remaining out of the public eye over the last 18 months – but rumours have swirled that she is receiving £10million a year to appear at her husband’s side at official engagements.
She spent 10 months in her native South Africa last year after contracting a sinus infection that later required surgery.
She returned to Monaco in November but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was ‘exhausted’.
Turning heads: Charlene commanded attention in her sleeveless gown when attending this evening’s glamorous event
Camille opted for a gold and black outfit when arriving at the gala with Albert and Charlene
Charlene opted for dainty silver earrings and completed her appearance with a glamorous makeup look
Albert, meanwhile, looked dapper in a navy blazer and white trouser combo, finished off with a bright red tie
Since returning once again, the mother-of-two has made a handful of appearances including a recent solo engagement to a maternity ward.
Charlene and Albert’s relationship has come under enormous scrutiny in recent months.
Prince Albert said he was ‘hurt by the vicious rumours’ peddled about his marriage following his wife’s absence and said that it’s the ‘most beautiful thing’ to have her back with him.
Major French outlets that specialise in celebrity news said Charlene’s sudden re-appearance was welcomed by all Royal watchers.
‘But the Princess did not return at any price,’ magazine Voici reported. ‘She would have had her husband sign an ultra-confidential contract.’
The revelations were followed up by rival publication Paris Match Belgium, which wrote: ‘Prince Albert would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events.’
Princess Charlene of Monaco joined her husband Prince Albert to celebrate their children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella passing a summer sailing camp last weekend
In one photograph, the royal mother-of-two could be seen standing alone watching on as her children were presented with their medals
The Royal Palace in Monte Carlo refuses to discuss specific financial arrangements, but the principality pays out some £40m a year to cover the institution’s running costs.
Royals are not salaried officials, however, meaning that Charlene would be reliant on Albert – a billionaire in his own right – for her own spending money.
A Royal insider based in Monte Carlo told Mail Online: ‘Of course the Princess enjoys huge perks, but ready cash is not guaranteed.
‘She’s been through a very difficult time, so it would make sense for Charlene to try and secure her own guaranteed income.’
Prince Albert said the time apart was ‘a test for his wife’ but they ‘spoke often, despite the distance.
Charlene first had a 10-month absence in her native South Africa, where she contracted and was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco.
Another snap showed Prince Jacques, seven, holding his medal after taking part in the sailing summer camp
After her return to the principality in November, Charlene left almost immediately to receive treatment for ‘exhaustion’ at a Swiss clinic.
The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality’s ruler Prince Albert, who were wed in 2011, following the princess’ long absence.
Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was ‘a test for my wife especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times, far from her family. A test also for our children and for myself.
‘We missed the princess a lot. And we were obviously hurt by the malicious rumours that were peddled. But we were able to stay united despite the distance, we spoke to each other often.’
He added: ‘Today, Charlene is back with us and this is the most beautiful thing which could have happened. She’s better, we can finally spend time together. It is a relief and a joy for all of us.’
Princess Charlene met Prince Albert in 2000 during a swimming competition in Monaco and the pair married in 2011, before welcoming twins Gabriella and Jacques in 2014.
Born in Rhodesia – a previously unrecognised state in Southern Africa colonised by the British, she relocated to South Africa aged 11.
Missing: It comes days after Charlene was notably absent from the Monaco Rose Ball, one of the highlights of the principality’s social calendar. It was attended by Prince Albert, his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover, and other members of the royal family. Pictured, Albert and Caroline with designer Christian Louboutin
Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was ‘a test for Charlene especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times’
She had a successful swimming career and went on to win three gold medals and a silver medal at the 1999 All Africa Games in Johannesburg, as well as representing South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games and winning a silver medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay in the latter competition.
However the pair’s marriage has made numerous headlines over the years, with a third paternity suit emerging in December 2020.
Soon afterwards Charlene famously shaved half her head in the style of a punk rocker. Months later she left for South Africa.
The allegations in December 2020 claimed 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 were already in a relationship.
He has also fathered two other children outside of wedlock. Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, who is now 29 and the result of Albert’s affair with an American estate agent, and Alexandre Coste, 18, whose mother is a former Togolese air hostess.
Both children were struck off Monaco’s line of succession in return for vast financial settlements.
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