Prince Albert reportedly ‘pays’ Princess Charlene millions to fulfil royal duties
Princess Charlene has returned to royal life in Monaco after a mystery hiatus, but concerning reports have emerged about why she’s back.
Monaco’s Prince Albert has reportedly agreed to pay his wife Princess Charlene $18 million a year to fulfil her royal obligations, French media reports.
Charlene, 44, finally returned to Monaco in March after a year away from the public eye, where she spent 10 months in her native South Africa and a further four months in a private clinic in Switzerland.
As part of her return to royal life, the married couple are said to have signed an “ultra-confidential contract”, as Albert, 64, was eager to have his wife “at his side at public events”.
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Paris’ top-selling magazine Voici writes, “The princess did not return at any price: she would have had her husband sign an ultra-confidential contract. Among the conditions, he will grant her 12 million euros ($A18m) per year.”
It comes after Charlene attended one of her first engagements this year at the weekend, visiting the Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament alongside Albert and their twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, both 7.
The report comes as questions remain over Charlene’s mysterious year-long absence, which was reportedly the result of ill health.
Up until March, Charlene was thought to be recovering from an unknown illness in a clinic in Switzerland – about 350km from Monaco – where she had been since November last year.
Prior to that, the former Olympic swimmer suffered from an ear, nose and throat infection which saw her undergo several surgeries in her native South Africa for most of 2021.
Further concerns were raised over her welfare when her children were photographed during National Day of Monaco celebrations on November 19, where they were seen holding a sign in the Monaco palace window, which read: “We Love You, Mommy” and “We Miss You, Mommy.”
Charlene and Albert’s marriage, which kicked off with a $100 million wedding in 2011, has been dogged by scandal, with Albert previously confessing to fathering illegitimate children and rumours swirling that Charlene tried to flee before their wedding day.
She was also filmed crying during her nuptials.
The couple first met shortly after the Olympic Games in 2000, where former swimmer Charlene, then 22, came fifth in the 4x100m medley relay.
They were engaged in 2010.
Albert is the son of Grace Kelly, who died in a car accident in 1982.
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