Back in May, I had a very weird feeling about Princess Charlene. The Prince’s Palace released some information, seemingly out of sorts, that Charlene would not be in attendance at the Monaco Grand Prix because of some health issues. We quickly learned that Charlene was in South Africa and she had been in her home country for God knows how long at that point. Then the drama began: the shifting timelines of Charlene’s recovery, the multiple surgeries related to her ENT infection, the awkward social media photos, Prince Albert’s rosy statements about how well Charlene was doing and how she would return to Monaco before the end of October. I even noted on Saturday that Charlene was still not back in Monaco. Well, she took a flight back Sunday night. She arrived in Nice and Monte Carlo Monday morning.
Monaco’s Princess Charlene is back home! Sources tell PEOPLE, the 43-year old arrived early Monday morning after an overnight flight from Durban, South Africa.
The mother-of-two landed in the south of France at 8.30 a.m. local time. Charlene’s return ends months of speculation concerning her sudden and prolonged disappearance from the principality. She stepped off her husband Prince Albert’s private plane in Nice, dressed in black, wearing a mask.
According to Nice Matin, she reunited with husband Prince Albert and their their 6-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella — who greeted her with a large bouquet of flowers — before they all helicoptered on to Monaco, according to eyewitnesses.
The princess had been “grounded,” as she put it, in South Africa since early May due to an ENT infection which necessitated a number of corrective surgeries over her six-month absence. The prolonged stay-away was subject to numerous tabloid allegations concerning troubles in the couple’s marriage.
It was nice of Albert to go to Nice to meet her flight, and it was nice that he brought the kids. At this point, I don’t doubt that she had genuine health issues and all of that. But I still believe there was other stuff going on – the real estate purchases, the weird visits from Albert and the kids, the gossip about how miserable she is in Monaco and in her marriage. It’s a lot. What a terrible marriage they have. Anyway, she’s back now. I expect we won’t see her again for a while. She’ll go to one of the hideaway properties to “recover” further and Albert will have her guarded 24-7 so she never tries to escape again. And she will probably have to say goodbye to her South African passport forever.
Family reunion or proof of life photo?
La princesse Charlène est de retour à Monaco https://t.co/G30ETP2hq9 pic.twitter.com/qOvnuF9Nu9
— Nice-Matin (@Nice_Matin) November 8, 2021
Oh, here are photos of Charlene arriving in Nice this morning. She got a dog in South Africa??
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Charlene’s IG.
I wish her well. This has been a crazy and bizarre story from the start. I am sure the kids are happy to have their mother back.
She still looks like a hostage to me.
I know! It’s almost like her eyes are void of anything left of her. It’s unsettling.
She’s been really sick; you can tell from the weight loss and lack of colour in her lips that it wasn’t just a cover story.
I suspect if she’s looking a bit vacant, that’s why. Being sick enough to lose weight means you also feel chronically exhausted, even on your good days.
It’s just such a peculiar situation. I hope she really is well.
So in SA she’s upright walking her big-ass dog—who assume is named Elon—without any help but once she reaches Europe, she’s draped over Albert like she can barely stand.
I…hmm.
It could be the flight drained her. Especially with ENT health issues. It’s all in her head (literally!) especially things like equilibrium. Maybe we’ll get another proof of life picture in a couple of days when she’s recovered a bit
I think that’s her walking her dog in Nice.
And I think she’s draped all over Albert in an attempt to look lovey. It failed.
I think you’re right, I stand corrected. You’re also right, massive failure,.
Okay, so for her official photo (meaning she knows it’ll be published) reunited with her husband and children on European land, she looks frail, but she then (or before) she looks stable when walking her dog alone.
Can someone just give this woman a divorce and physical custody of her kids? Please? Like…what is happening?? This whole thing is so unnerving.
The body language is so weird in that official photo. Albert looks stiff and uncomfortable.
@ Queen Meghan’s Hand, I agree with you. She does look miserable in their official released picture. Whereas, her walking her dog, she looks fine. Though it’s very apparent that her daughter is happy that she is home. As for Albert, I can’t get a read on him. Albert looks uncomfortable, but why? Charlene looks well, except for the family picture, but why? Did Albert convince her to stay and allow her certain privileges? Because freedom will NOT be one of them, that is certain.
I feel so bad for her. She has been trying to escape since before the wedding, but his goons have had her kidnapped. Why France didn’t step in, is upsetting as well. Why didn’t they protect her? I am really pissed at France, and I adore France, just not their handling of her trying to escape. Albert had help from the French government to get her out, otherwise she wouldn’t be married to him right now.
I am really stuck on this!
A bodyguard could’ve walked the dog. Then Charlene wouldn’t have had to divide her attention between the dog and her little children. The distancing between her, Albert and the kids is just weird. They actually seem closer to him, clinging to him at one point. I do like her outfit, though.
I think some rather intensive negotiations went on and have been concluded. Another gossip story to add to my list of “gossip I want to live long enough to find out the full truth about”. (List also includes Tom Cruise, Lindsay Lohan and her Middle East “career”, and a bunch of Disney Star Wars stuff, among others).
Along with my family and friends that list helps motivate me to stay healthy. 😜
Great list, I want to know all these things too! :oD
@mia4s. That’s a great list to keep you healthy till the story comes out. Mine would be Lindsey Lohan, the Cambridge’s marriage, and maybe whatever happens with trump’s adult kids.
Ohhh, I forgot about the Cambridge marriage. That is going on the list. But that one will take awhile, so everyone watch your red meat and refined sugar intake! 😂
I feel you. I have a chronic illness and a list of “trivial but fascinating stuff I hope I’m alive for” that grows ever longer.
what else is on your list? does anyone else have one?
also: we are nothing without our health. take it from me and act accordingly. sorry if I’m preaching to the choir here.
@Observer – mine – in no particular order: (sorry – a bit royal heavy)
What the RF actually did to Meghan and Harry
The state of the Cambridge marriage – and the identity of William’s lawyer gf.
A deep dive into the Middleton’s real finances
Prince Andrew taken apart in court
Whether Leo is actually gay
Tom Cruise – WTAF?
Last but not least the downfall and jailing of the entire Trump family.
@ observer, I too suffer from chronic illness, pain due to irreversible nerve damage. So, I escape here to get away from my pain life, but not always “with it” due to massive prescription drugs. Hence, why I write like a constipated idiot, talking in circles.
My list would be, from my bed, many in no particular order except with regards to Drumpf…
Harry and Meghans continued happiness and conquering the world with their compassion and empathy. Living out their lives extremely happy and the melt down on Saltine Petty Island, no offense to Brits here, directed at RR’s, Grey men in suits and TOBB.
Including the fall of Prince Pedo, the exodus after QEII passes, and when Boris is booted out of Number 10 residence.
The fall of The Monarchy under TOBB, in addition to him dumping FFWeen of Laziness!! What crimes Jason has committed on behalf of TOBB, and expose where the bodies are buried which causes a massive revolution to skip TOBB as king! I would love to see TOBB passed over for George, IF the Monarchy lasts that long.
What happens with Charlene! I hope she escapes!
****The fall out and the civil and criminal charges against Drumpf, his children and their spouses. Hopefully sooner, rather than later****
The epic fall of all Repugnant’s!! Especially, McConnell, Cruz, Abbott, Gaetz, Toomey, Johnson, Graham, and Kavanaugh. My top 8 hated right wing wackos!!
My greatest concern each day it to be here, with my darling husband for as long as possible. He is my everything! And my adult children. My daughter became engaged a few months ago, and I want to help plan her wedding and be there for it, standing up and participating. I haven’t been able to participate in much home family gatherings for the past 2-3 years due to all of my pain issues, as I suffer from the permanent nerve damage and now a hip issue that is controlled with opioid patches and injections. But I want to be there for her.
I am so sorry this is so long…
I want to know every dirty thing that Jason what’s his name did for the Cambridges–and how much of the planning was done by Williams.
@BothSidesNow – best wishes for you. I hope you regain some strength.
Wow, my best wishes to those who are working each day through health and issues of all kinds and who added their lists to my comment. I hope it gave you a smile. ❤️
Of course there are more important things, but a bit of silliness can be helpful too! (A friend of mine nervous about an operation a few months ago (she’s great now) joked that she was going to get better because she was waiting for Disney World to add a Mandalorian and Grogu meet and greet. I mean, hey, who wouldn’t stick around for that?! 🤣)
This year was their ten year anniversary. Not disputing that she was unwell but I also think she went to South Africa and stayed there until their new marriage agreement was worked out.
Like Melania.
Glad she’s back and safe and sound. Now she can go kick rocks.
Gosh… what a grim situation… glad she’s well enough to travel, hopefully the other stuff is manageable or more bearable. I wonder if she has anyone in her corner in Monaco, like family or friends who are firmly in her camp, not in-laws, friends of Albert, or staff.
I have a new theory now. When Albert was in South Africa, Charlene stole some of his laundry and trained her new dog to recognize that scent as a possible threat.
Albert denied Nicole’s story of Charlene sending Alexandre to live in the servants’s quarters (and he expressed that he had no idea what she was going to say – I don’t believe that) so I wonder if his denial was a condition of her coming back to Monaco or something.
My guess is that she had a more major, scheduled surgery that she wanted to keep private (maybe something like a hysterectomy), and insisted on having it with HER doctor in SA. She used it as a reason to get out of Monaco for a while and maybe make some Katie Holmes-esque arrangements while there. It will be interesting to see how the next few months play out and if she ends up making a break for it.
Jesus-who handles their PR?? They pick the absolute worst photos of her. She looks fine walking the dog but the “reunited happy family” is bizarro. And if she really felt terrible after the flight-don’t use that picture!
She and Albert look terrible in the family pic, but the kids look really happy to have her back, so I guess that was the goal?
But yes, do they only take one photo and run with it? For as much as Albert is concerned about his image and always running to People magazine, you think he’d want something where everyone looks decent.
I dont get why they wont just get divorced. Its not like he is some saint,no one would be suprised. I am not sure how custody works with the Monaco royal family,do the kids belong to the Crown?
Remember back in January when she was sporting that truly awful, bizarre half-Mohawk?
Looking back, I’m wondering if she was about to undergo chemotherapy. Some people cut their hair and/or shave their heads beforehand, when they’re readying themselves for chemo. The thought of their hair falling out is too much to bear sometimes, so they take control and do it themselves.
I wish her nothing but the best and sincerely hope I’m wrong.
That’s a Rhodesian Ridgeback she’s walking. The lion fighting dog. You can tell because the hair goes against the grain along the spine.
Ha. Said the same thing below before I saw your comment. Gorgeous dogs.
Some friends of mine had a Rhodesian Ridgeback, it was a very sweet dog despite its fearsome reputation.
GORGEOUS dog. They are very smart dogs, too.
Yes! I was raised with Rhodesian Ridgebacks (my mother showed them!) and recognized the breed immediately 🙂 some of my fondest memories growing up involve a ridgeback. They’re incredibly loyal, protective companions!
Whatever else might have been going on, it seems clear that she had real health issues. She still seems frail. And health issues often cause confusing timelines, since it’s hard to predict complications or when anyone will recover, especially for travel. I hope she’s feeling better. I’m sure she & the kids were thrilled to see each other again.
That puppy looks like a Rhodesian Ridgeback to me. Really nice, loyal dogs.
Her daughter is legitimately happy to have her mom back home! 😀
Nice-Matin, a French journal, has some other photos of her, Albert and the children playing with the dog. Her last dog died in October. The pics are cute, the dog is gorgeous, and her daughter especially looks delighted she’s back. They are all way more lively than this “leaning on him” picture, which is so weird (their PR is truly terrible). Glad that she’s reunited with her children at least.
I don’t think Charlene and Albert have problems with each other. I don’t think they are in a romantic relationship anymore, but they do seem to be friendly. I think the problem is his family and the people around them that all want a divorce for their own selfish reasons. His sister for example hated being demoted when Albert married Charlene. So, she’s a big source of negative gossip about Charlene.
Monaco is so close to Nice, they could have taken a car. I’m so disappointed with these rich powerful people making BS statements about world climate for the commoners, but nothing of what they applies to them when they’re the worst.
The French article mentions she brought back a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Kahn from South Africa, a dog that was given to her after she lost her chihuahua who was run over and killed in October (not sure if that happened in Monaco or South Africa!). The kids look excited to have mom back so I’m glad they’re reunited with her. This whole ordeal has been bizarre but I think it was a combination of serious health problems and Charlene wanting a break from Monaco. I think she didn’t realize just how long her break would be though, I think she planned to be away for a few months and then she got stuck there way longer than she expected to. But I’m not sure she necessarily minded, minus being separated from her kids.
Meant to add you can see more pics of the “reunion” photos in front of the palace on Nice-Matin’s website (you have to watch a brief commercial before accessing all the pics): https://www.nicematin.com/people/les-photos-exclusives-des-retrouvailles-de-la-princesse-charlene-avec-sa-famille-a-monaco-725847 The kids are clearly over the moon to be with their mom and excited about the new dog.
What a terrible marriage they have… It’s really sad how people get their energy from writing negative articles.
This is one situation that feels gross to speculate on — the demise of a family just shouldn’t be gossip fodder .
It makes perfect sense that she would get a dog. I have chronic pain and lung issues and my little dog helps keep me sane and moving. Being so far from her children and losing her pet, I can understand why she chose a new canine companion.