Princess Charlene only sees husband Prince Albert ‘by appointment’
Questions surrounding Princess Charlene’s marriage to Prince Albert have emerged again, following a report she’s living in a different country.
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Princess Charlene is reportedly living in Switzerland – 350km away from her husband Prince Albert – whom she only sees by “appointment”, according to international media.
Mystery has long shrouded the marriage between Prince Albert, 65, and the former Olympic swimmer, 45, as early as 2011 when reports emerged Charlene had attempted to flee on the morning of their wedding that year.
Rumours of a fractured union intensified when Charlene spent more than 12 months missing from the public eye in 2021, where she was in her native South Africa for 10 months, and in a private clinic in Switzerland for a further four months. She finally returned to Monaco early last year.
However, a recent report in French magazine Voici claims that, after holidaying on a yacht in the Mediterranean with Albert and their eight-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, this month, Charlene did not return to the Palace and is said to be living abroad.
“Today, it’s a couple who makes appointments to see each other,” a source told the magazine.
The article went on to suggest Charlene and Albert, the latter of whom is the son of the late Grace Kelly, remain “united” for the benefit of their children.
Another insider further told German newspaper Bild that the pair “take turns taking care of the children.”
It comes after Voici – Paris’ top-selling magazine – claimed in May last year that Albert pays his wife $18 million annually to fulfil her royal obligations.
As part of her return to royal life, the pair were said to have signed an “ultra-confidential contract” as Albert was eager to have his wife “at his side at public events”.
While Charlene did ultimately return to royal life, making several high-profile engagements over the past year including the coronation of King Charles III in May, questions remain over her mysterious year-long absence, which was reportedly the result of ill health.
Up until March last year, Charlene was thought to be recovering from an unknown illness in a clinic in Switzerland where she had been since November the year prior.
Prior to that, she 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 in November 2021, 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 more than a decade ago, has been dogged by scandal.
Albert has previously confessed to fathering illegitimate children, while rumours swirled that Charlene had attempted to bail on their nuptials.
She was also filmed crying during their big day, further raising eyebrows.
The couple first met shortly after the Olympic Games in 2000, where former swimmer Charlene, then 22, came fifth in the 4x100m medley relay.
Originally published as Princess Charlene only sees husband Prince Albert ‘by appointment’
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