Princess Charlene and Prince Albert Strike Back Against “Malicious” Separation Rumors

On Friday, Princess Charlene of Monaco, was spotted at the Four Seasons hotel in Milan, wearing a beige sweater and casual shoes and followed by her bodyguard. The Daily Mail took particular notice of the fact that she was not wearing her three-carat engagement ring designed by Parisian jeweler Repossi. It’s not uncommon for the princess to be spotted without it, but it drew attention due to another round of rumors about her relationship with husband Prince Albert of Monaco.

The outing was the first time the princess was spotted since French magazine Royauté released a March cover story claiming that she and Albert were separating. In a statement to the Daily Mail, Monaco’s Palais Princier strenuously denied the report. “I would like to formally deny the malicious rumors peddled by the French magazine Royauté,” it read. “Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded.” Speaking to People, palace sources said that the story itself was based on older rumors. “The article is made up of old stories which weren’t true to begin with,” the source said. 

Rumors about the couple began to circulate when an extended illness kept Charlene grounded in South Africa and separated from her family for most of 2021. She returned to Monaco in October 2021, but continued to recover from her illness at a clinic in Switzerland. By the middle of 2022, she returned to her royal duties, attending events like Monaco’s Red Cross Ball and National Day celebrations.

In December, she told newspaper Monaco Matin about the state of her health and recovery. “I would first like to say that I feel so much better today than I have in recent years,” she said. “I feel less pain and much more energy,” she said. “I continue to recover, to rebalance myself. It will still take time, but I’m happy. My family and those I love are my rock. I approach the future, step by step, one day at a time.”

Earlier this month, Albert spoke about Charlene and their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, in an interview with People. When asked about his proudest achievement from his 18 years on the throne, he replied. “You mean aside from my wife and my children? Because they are.”

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