Princess Charlene makes first public appearance in months after mystery illness

Princess Charlene has made her first public appearance in months after vanishing to South Africa with a mystery illness towards the end of last year.

Princess Charlene of Monaco made her first public appearance in months on Saturday after battling a mystery illness in South Africa.

The 44-year-old royal attended the Monaco E-Prix with her husband, Prince Albert II, and their 7-year-old twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.

Charlene, chic in a tailored grey suit with pumps and earrings, debuted a platinum blond pixie cut during the outing.

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Princess Charlene stood behind her children, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques. Picture: Getty Images.

The royal rocked a blonde pixie cut and a stylish dark grey suit. Picture: Getty Images.

She was photographed participating in the trophy presentations after the Formula E race, and at one point placed her arms around her mini-me daughter in a sweet moment caught on camera.

This is the first time Charlene has attended a high-profile event since Page Six reported in November 2021 that she “almost died” in South Africaafter undergoing multiple surgeries and losing an extreme amount of weight.

She returned to Monaco in March after a four-month stint in a Swiss clinic where she was treated for “emotional and physical exhaustion.”

Sources told Page Six last year that friends of the family were concerned that Albert downplayed Charlene’s illness after giving an interview last year about her visit to the Swiss clinic.

Princess Charlene spent months battling a mystery illness, returning to Monaco in March. Picture: Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images.

It’s the first time in months Princess Charlene has made an appearance at a public event. Picture: Arnold Jerocki/WireImage.

The royal stood beside her husband, Prince Albert. Picture: Getty Images.

“It is unfair that she is being portrayed as having some kind of mental or emotional issue,” one insider told us. “We don’t know why the palace is downplaying that she almost died in South Africa.”

The source noted at the time that Charlene was only able to “take in liquids through a straw,” so she lost nearly half her body weight.

“She has not been able to eat solid food in over six months because of all the surgeries she has since gone through,” the source continued.

As previously reported, Charlene first fell ill while visiting her native South Africa in May 2021 during what was meant to be a 10-day visit. A series of painful surgeries then delayed her return to the principality until late 2021.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco have been married for ten years. Picture: Getty Images.

Albert alleged in a November 2021 interview with People that her current state was the result of “several factors which are private matters.”

“She was clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally,” he said, noting she was admitted to a “treatment facility” within hours of her return. “She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life.”

Charlene has not publicly commented on her health.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and is reproduced here with permission