Princess Charlene looks awkward as she makes rare appearance alongside husband Prince Albert for launch of Monaco’s first TV channel – amid claims the couple are living apart and only see each other ‘by appointment’
- Prince Albert and Princess Charlene launched TVMonaco together on Friday
- READ MORE: Princess Charlene of Monaco is ‘living in Switzerland’ and ‘only sees ‘ceremonial’ husband Prince Albert by appointment’
Princess Charlene of Monaco made an awkward television appearance alongside her husband Prince Albert yesterday, amid claims they are living apart and only see each other ‘by appointment’.
The royals put on a united front as they launched TVMonaco which will broadcast a wide range of programmes including current affairs, talk shows, the environment and sport in a bid to promote Monegasque culture.
However, Princess Charlene, 45, cut a stern figure and looked tense as she stood alongside Prince Albert, 65, while the couple were interviewed. She only muttered a few words, while her husband spoke in length about his pride at the launch.
The former Olympic swimmer, who is said to have left Monaco to live in Switzerland, appeared on edge as she clasped her hands throughout the interview and at one point took a deep breath, gulped and flashed an awkward grin.
Prince Albert told the MonacoTV reporter: ‘I’m very proud to be here with Princess Charlene to launch this beautiful adventure, this TV channel which will expand the importance of this principality throughout the world.
‘And I am sure, considering how modern this setup is that there will be a very high quality of programming, important yes for residents of Monaco, but also for all those who like the principality and the riviera throughout the world so it’s a great joy to be here.’
Charlene briefly added: ‘Congratulations – and all the best for the future.’
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco (pictured together) put on a united front as they launched TVMonaco yesterday
The royal couple were interviewed on the TV channel but it was mainly Prince Albert who spoke. Princess Charlene looked tense during the interview
TVMonaco will broadcast a wide range of programmes including current affairs, talk shows, the environment and sport in a bid to promote Monegasque culture. Here, the royal couple were filmed inside the studio ahead of launching the channel
Princess Charlene looked tense throughout the interview and only added a few words after Prince Albert spoke
The awkward interview was in stark contrast to the photos shared by the official Palace of Monaco which portrayed the couple as close, and beaming together.
READ MORE: Princess Charlene and Prince Albert brush off marriage woe rumours as they holiday in Corsica after it was claimed she is living in Switzerland and their marriage is ‘for appearances only’
Prince Albert was dressed smartly in a black suit, white shirt and red tie ensemble, while Princess Charlene looked elegant as she donned a black silk top and loose-fitted cream trousers.
The palace also shared a photo of Albert with his arm around his wife’s waist as they were taken inside one of the production suites to officially launch the channel by pulling a lever down.
A third photograph showed Prince Albert being interviewed in the glitzy studio, which is based in Monaco’s Fontvieille ward, with his wife likely watching on behind the scenes.
The state-owned channel, which was initially named Monte-Carlo Riviera TV, was meant to launch in late 2022 but it has been delayed until now.
The principality’s new national channel was renamed as TVMonaco ahead of its launch yesterday.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene – who share eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella – are continuing to put on a united front amid rumours about the state of their marriage.
The royal couple have been at the centre of speculation after reports in European media alleged Charlene was living in Switzerland and only saw husband Albert ‘by appointment’.
Charlene also deleted her Instagram account last month, leading to further questions.
The palace shared photos of Prince Albert putting his arm around the waist of Princess Charlene before he pulled a lever which launched the TV channel
Prince Albert (left) was then pictured being interviewed in the studio after the launch of TVMonaco
Prince Albert arrives with his wife Princess Charlene (R) and his niece Camille Gottlieb (C) for the Red Cross Ball at the Sporting Club Salle des Etoiles in Monaco on July 29
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco put on a united front as they relaxed on a yacht in Corsica amid rumours about the state of their marriage last month
The royal couple have been at the centre of speculation after reports in European media alleged Charlene, 45, was living in Switzerland and only saw husband Albert, 65, ‘by appointment’. But recent photos show them appearing relaxed
Cried and groom: Charlene had been accused of trying to run away three times before she married
A source close to the couple told French newspaper Voici that the former Olympic swimmer and son of Grace Kelly are just a ‘ceremonial couple’.
Who are the Monaco Royal Family?
Rainier III ruled Monaco for almost 56 years, making him one of the longest ruling monarchs in European history.
He was crucially responsible for the transformation of Monaco economy, shifting from its traditional casino base to its current status as a tax haven and cultural destination.
He also coordinated the substantial reforms of Monaco’s constitution, which limited the powers of sovereign rule. He wed US film star Grace Kelly in 1956, with generated global media attention.
They had three children, Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie.
Caroline served as first lady of Monaco until her brother married Charlene in 2011. She regularly attends important social events in Monaco, such as the National Day celebrations, the annual Rose Ball and the Red Cross Ball.
She married French banker Philippe Junot in 28 June 1978, before divorcing in 1980, before marrying Stefano Casiraghi, with whom she had three children Andrea Albert Pierre Casiraghi, Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi and Pierre Rainier Stefano Casiraghi.
Stefano was killed in a speed boating accident in 1990, with Caroline going on to marry Prince Ernst August of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick in 1999, and have one daughter Princess Alexandra Charlotte Ulrike Maryam Virginia of Hanover.
Meanwhile Princess Stéphanie has been a singer, swimwear designer and fashion model.
Tragically, on 13 September 1982, while returning home from their farm in Rocagel, France, Stéphanie and her mother had a car accident. Grace died the next day, on September 14, while Stéphanie sustained a fracture of a neck vertebra.
She began a relationship with Daniel Ducruet with whom she had two children, Louis and Pauline. She gave birth to her third child Camille Gottlieb in 1992.
Prince Albert II ascended to the throne after the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, on 6th April 2005. He is one of the wealthiest royals in the world, worth an estimated $1 billion.
He married former Olympic swimmer Charlene in 2011 and gave birth to twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques in 2014
The children are often seen at royal events alongside Princess Charlene and Prince Albert, including on the balcony at Monaco’s National Day celebrations on 19th November every year.
It adds that Charlene has promised to return to Monaco on official occasions and is now allowed to see her children more often – with the pair splitting care of the children.
‘Albert and Charlene are now good partners, take turns taking care of the children,’ a source added to German newspaper Bild.
Rumours of the state of the couple’s marriage have swirled for years, since Charlene cried on her wedding to Grace Kelly’s son in 2011.
However, the rumour mill went into overdrive when Charlene spent most of 2021 from her husband after returning to her native South Africa for what was supposed to be a month-long trip.
She wasn’t picture in Monaco from January 2021 until March 2022, citing a sinus issue which stopped her from flying.
Upon her return to the principality, Albert claimed she was ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘unwell’.
Speaking to People magazine at the time, Albert said the family reunion in Monaco last week initially went ‘pretty well’ in the first few hours, but it then became ‘pretty evident’ that Charlene was ‘unwell.’
He said the former Olympian ‘realised she needed help’, adding: ‘She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life.’
Claims she will stay in Switzerland were backed up by a source who knows the couple well, who said: ‘The South of France is too close, but Switzerland has superb private medical facilities, and Charlene will be well looked after there.’
The couple have been at the centre of split rumours for years, but have always denied there’s an issue with their marriage.
In March, the Palace’s press office said they ‘formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the magazine’.
A spokesperson said: ‘I would like to formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the French magazine Royauté. Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded.’
Last month, the royal couple also put on a united front as they relaxed on ayacht in Corsica.
Photos show the couple relaxed while on a yacht in the Mediterranean. In one shot Albert lovingly wraps his arm around Charlene, while in another they sit side-by-side on the beach.
The couple, alongside their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, spent the summer on a yacht owned by Kazakh businessman Bulat Utemuratov.
Albert is the current head of the pocket-sized principality.
But it was the financial acumen of his father, Prince Rainier, that set Monaco on its current path to riches.
Together with his wife Princess Grace, formerly Hollywood’s Grace Kelly, they created one of the most unashamedly glamorous families on the planet – and a world combining high society with the high-octane thrill of the Monaco grand prix.
The couple shared a seemingly awkward kiss during their religious wedding ceremony on July 2, 2011 in Monaco
The royal couple went on to have two children, eight-year-old twins, Jacques and Gabriella (pictured at National Day 2022 at the Monaco Palace)
Princess Charlotte and Prince Albert of Monaco at their glittering 2011 wedding. The Princess, a former Olympic swimmer, had joined one of the most glamorous families in the world
Princess Charlene of Monaco with children Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques
Charlene, Princess Consort of Monaco, dancing with husband Prince Albert at a Red Cross Ball
Today, Prince Albert and Princess Consort Charlene, mother of his two children, attract the attention of photographers whenever they step out in public.
But, the wealthy lifestyle is accompanied by a fair degree of drama.
Guests at the wedding of Prince Albert of Monaco in 2011 could not help but notice that his bride, Charlene, cried through much of the ceremony. And they didn’t look like tears of joy.
Numerous photographs showed Charlene dabbing at her eyes, ignoring Albert’s audible entreaties to stop crying.
Charlene later proffered the explanation that she had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the proceedings but her awkward demeanour added to rumours that the couple’s relationship was in trouble well before their wedding day.
A tumultuous two years for Princess Charlene that saw her spend 10 months in South Africa away from her children, admitted to a treatment facility in Switzerland and strike a rumoured £10 million a year deal with Albert
2021: HEALTH ISSUES, 10 MONTHS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ADMISSION TO A SWISS TREATMENT FACILITY
January 27 – Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco.
March 18 – Charlene is pictured at the memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa
April 2 – Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter from an unknown locatoin.
May 8 – Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco without Charlene
May 18 – Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa
June 3 – New photos emerge of Charlene on her conservation trip
June 5 – Charlene puts on a united front as she shares a photo with her family to mark her niece’s fifth birthday with her brother’s family and Albert and the twins in South Africa
June 24 – Charlene’s foundation releases a statement saying the royal is unable to travel and is undergoing procedures for an ear, nose and throat infection
July 2 – Charlene and Albert mark their 10th anniversary separately. ‘This year will be the first time that I’m not with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me,’ Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene said in a statement.
August 13 – Charlene undergoes a four-hour operation. The reason is not announced
August 25 – Charlene shares photos of Prince Albert, Gabriella and Jacques visiting her in South Africa
September 1 – Charlene is admitted under an alias to the Netcare Alberlito Hospital after suddenly ‘collapsing’
September 2 – Charlene is discharged, with a statement from the Palais Princier reading: ‘Her Highness is closely monitored by Her medical team who said that Her condition was not worrying’
September 30 – Charlene releases a stylish video promoting her anti-poaching campaign from her South African bolthole
October 3 – Princess Charlene shares a photograph of herself smiling in front of a bible in her first snap since being discharged from hospital following her health scare
October 6 – Albert tells RMC radio Charlene is ‘ready to come home’
October 8 2021 – Princess undergoes more surgery in South Africa
November 8 – Charlene arrives back in Monaco. Prince Albert said within hours it became clear she was ‘unwell’
November 13 2021 – Prince Albert attends Expo 2020 in Dubai without Princess Charlene. Following his return from the trip, Prince Albert holds an intervention with Charlene’s brothers and a sister-in-law in which Charlene ‘confirmed’ she would seek ‘real medically-framed treatment’ outside of Monaco
November 16 – Royal household confirms Princess Charlene will not attend National Day celebrations on November 19
November 17 – Prince Albert reveals Princess Charlene has left Monaco and is recovering in a secret location
November 19 – Prince Albert reveals Charlene is in a treatment facility ‘elsewhere in Europe’ after a family intervention
November 25 – Sources tell Page Six Princess Charlene ‘almost died’ after sinus surgery and ‘lost nearly half her body weight’ due to being ‘unable to swallow’. They also said it was ‘unfair’ to portray her as struggling with mental health issues
December 11 – Royal breaks her silence on Instagram to wish her twins Jacques and Gabriella a happy seventh birthday
December 24 – Princess Charlene of Monaco is still ‘months from recovery’ but will reunite with Prince Albert and their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriela for Christmas at treatment centre
2022: ROAD TO RECOVERY
January 25 – Princess Charlene celebrates her 44th birthday alone: Royal shares slideshow of snaps from happier times featuring Prince Albert, their children and her swimming career as she continues to receive treatment outside of Monaco
March 14 – Palace announces that Charlene is back in Monaco but will take time to ‘further strengthen her health before gradually resuming her official duties’
April 17 – Charlene is pictured for the first time in a family portrait to celebrate Easter
April 30 – Charlene makes her first public appearance since leaving a treatment facility as she attends Monaco E-Prix with Prince Albert
May 7 – The royal makes her second public appearance at the Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament
May 10 – French media claims Prince Albert has agreed to pay his wife £10million a year to make sure she fulfils her consort role
May 25 – Princess Charlene continues her return to public life at Monte Carlo Fashion Awards with daughter Princess Gabriella
May 28 – Princess Charlene continues her return to public life as she joins Prince Albert at F1 in Monaco for the first time since 2019
June 6 – Prince Albert says he was hurt by the ‘vicious’ rumours about his wife’s absence from Monaco and his family ‘missed the princess a lot’
June 16 – Princess Charlene appears sombre in all-black ensemble for Catholic festival
June 18 – Princess Charlene of Monaco looks glamorous in all-green ensemble as she steps out with Prince Albert for the Monte Carlo TV Festival opening ceremony
June 23 – Albert and Charlene attend a science exhibition opening with their children in Oslo – her first overseas visit since returning to public duties
July 4 – Albert and Charlene! Monaco royals hold hands in new portrait to mark 11 years of marriage
July 5 – Charlene visits the Princess Grace Hospital Centre in her first solo engagement since her return to Monaco
July 9 – Albert attends Monaco’s Rose Ball without his wife, despite it being the highlight of the social calendar
July 18 – Royal joins Prince Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo
July 20 – Couple visit The Vatican for a private audience with Pope Francis
September 4 – Charlene joins Prince Albert and their children Gabriella and Jacques for a rare family appearance at traditional picnic in Monaco
September 6 – Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco take their twins Jacques and Gabriella, 7, to class for their first day back after the summer holiday
September 12 – Couple attend a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II
September 19 – Princess Charlene attends the Queen’s funeral in London alongside her husband Prince Albert
October 4-5 – Princess Charlene wows on a solo surprise visit to Paris Fashion Week
October 21 – Princess Charlene of Monaco makes emotional solo visit to an animal shelter as she sends ‘all her love’ to fans following her return to royal duties
November 8 – Royal couple attend the annual Princess Grace Awards in New York
November 16 – Princess Charlene attends Monaco’s Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with Prince Albert
November 19-20 – Princess Charlene attends Monaco National Day celebrations with Prince Albert and presents awards at 2022 World Rugby Awards ceremony
December 2 – Princess Charlene takes her seven-year-old twins to Monaco Christmas village along with her model niece Charlotte Casiraghi
December 13 – Attends Monaco’s Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with her husband Prince Albert
December 14 – Family attend Christmas tree ceremony in Monaco
December 15 – Princess Charlene of Monaco reveals she feels ‘much better’ and has ‘much more energy’ after lengthy health crisis in an interview with Monaco Matin – the first since returning to royal duties
December 21 – Royals release a stylish family Christmas card
December 23 – ‘Proud’ Prince Albert praises Princess Charlene for ‘turning it around in an incredible way’ after lengthy health crisis, saying she had a ‘very tough year’
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