Princess Charlene absent in post on twins’ seventh birthday

Monaco’s Princess Charlene has taken to social media to celebrate her twins’ seventh birthday, while she’s reportedly still in a clinic in Switzerland.

Princess Charlene has posted a sweet tribute to her twins on their seventh birthday, as she reportedly continues to recover in a clinic in Switzerland following a year plagued by ill-health.

The 43-year-old royal, who is married to Monaco’s Prince Albert, shared a photo on Instagram of Princess Gabrielle and Prince Jacques celebrating their special day, writing: “Happy birthday my babies. Thank you God for blessing me with such wonderful children. I’m truly blessed.”

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Princess Gabrielle and Prince Jacques celebrate their seventh birthday. Picture: Instagram/princesscharlene

Charlene is reportedly in a clinic in Switzerland – about 350km away from her family in Monaco – as she privately recovers from an unknown illness.

The ex-Olympic swimmer, who married the reigning Prince of Monaco in 2011, has made headlines this year for her prolonged absence from public life, after suffering an ear, nose, and throat infection which saw her undergo several surgeries in her native South Africa, where she stayed for 10 months.

She was finally reunited with her family when Albert, Gabrielle and Jacques visited South Africa in August.

Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco have been dogged by reports about their marriage. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Charlene later returned to Monaco in November, before she was said to have travelled to Switzerland for further treatment.

Further concerns were raised over her welfare last month when her children were photographed during National Day of Monaco celebrations, holding a sign in the Monaco palace window, which read: “We Love You, Mommy” and “We Miss You, Mommy.”

Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques stand with a message for Princess Charlene at the balcony of Monaco Palace in November. Picture: Valery HACHE / AFP

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 love children and rumours swirling that Charlene tried to flee before their wedding day.

The couple first met shortly after the Olympic Games in 2000, where Charlene, then 22, came fifth in the 4x100m medley relay before winning the 200m backstroke at another event in Monaco.

Albert – whose mother Grace Kelly died in a car accident in 1982 – told People there was “no definite date” that Charlene would return home.

“It’s what we most hope for, but there is no definite date at this time,” he told the publication.

Charlene’s departure is rumoured to have coincided with a rift with her husband, 63, amid allegations he cheated, but Albert has insisted there are no problems within their relationship.