Their marriage has been marked by rumors of problems from the very beginning
Prince Albert of Monaco feared that his “restrained” wife Charlene would not cope with life in the spotlight and comparisons with his mother Grace Kelly, a royal correspondent told the Daily Mail.
The princess and Albert, who are the parents of 6-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella, spent their 10th wedding anniversary separated.
Charlene is in South Africa, where she underwent “a lot of complicated” procedures after being infected in May with an infection that affects her ears, nose and throat while visiting the country on her own.
Correspondent Joel McClure, who knows Prince Albert, said his wife had been under pressure from the start. “Albert told me that he regrets every woman who becomes Princess of Monaco because of the fact that her every move will be followed and because of the obligations that come with that role,” Joel said.
Charlene, 43, who has not been seen in Monaco since January, recently said the last few months have been a test for her. In a recent interview, she called Albert her “rock and power.” “What was extremely difficult for me was the moment when my medical team told me that I could not return home for my 10th wedding anniversary. Without his love and support, I would not have been able to survive this painful time, “says the princess.
Although Charlene has not been seen in Monaco since January, Albert and their children visited her in South Africa last month. In a statement last month, she explained that she would not return to her family in time for the anniversary, saying: “This year will be the first time I have not been with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me. .
However, Albert and I had no choice but to follow the instructions of the medical team, although it is extremely difficult. He was an incredible support to me. My daily conversations with Albert and the children help me a lot to keep my mood, but I miss being with them. It was especially valuable for my family to visit me in South Africa and it was really wonderful to see them. I can’t wait to meet them again. “
Albert and Charlene’s marriage has been filled with rumors of problems from the beginning. The couple first met at a swimming competition in Monte Carlo in 2000, but announced their engagement in 2010. The former swimmer is said to have tried to escape Monaco to her native South Africa three times before the royal wedding. after learning that Albert had a third child out of wedlock who was born while they were together. Monaco’s royal officials are said to have reassured her by making a deal between the prince and his bride, saying she could leave him after giving birth to a legal heir. A source then said, “Charlene will provide an heir, and then, if things don’t go well, she’ll get a generous divorce agreement after a decent amount of time.”
Charlene was spotted in tears on her wedding day in 2011. Only a year after their wedding, it was reported that Charlene was “depressed” because she had not yet given birth to a legal heir to her husband. Her pregnancy was announced in May 2014, and in December of that year she gave birth to twins Princess Gabriella and Crown Prince Jacques.
In 2017, the princess made an emotional return to Africa, where she told how much the continent means to her. “I am African and this is my heritage. It always will be. It’s in my heart and in my veins, “she said.
Last year, Charlene admitted that life is “very painful”, saying: “I have the privilege of leading this lifestyle, but I miss my family and friends in South Africa and I am often sad because I can’t always be with them. ”.
