Princess Charlene absent again as Prince Albert attends Wimbledon
Prince Albert attends Wimbledon with cousin Melanie-Antoinette de Massy who is a ‘fundamental support’ for the Monaco royals – but there’s no sign of his wife Princess Charlene amid a three-week public absence
- Prince Albert of Monaco attended the tournament in London with his cousin
- Melanie-Antoinette is thought to have supported Charlene during her comeback
- READ MORE: Controversial history of Princess Charlene’s closest confidante
- Latest Wimbledon 2023 news, including schedule, travel updates and results
Prince Albert of Monaco made an appearance in Wimbledon’s Royal Box with his close aide Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, but his wife Princess Charlene was nowhere to be seen.
The royal, 65, smiled and chuckled with his Melanie, who is the daughter of his cousin Elizabeth, as they took their places on the tenth day of the tennis tournament in south west London.
They watched the match between Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina on the Centre Court from the prestigious Royal Box as Albert chatted with chairperson of Wimbledon, Ian Hewitt.
However, his wife, Princess Charlene of Monaco, 45, did not attend the match with her husband amid a three-week absence from the public eye.
Prince Albert of Monaco sat in Wimbledon’s Royal Box with his cousin Melanie-Antoinette de Massy, while his wife Princess Charlene was nowhere to be seen
Princess Charlene was missing from the royal family’s day out to view a screening of the film Rainier III Par Lui Meme at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco last week.
Albert attended the event with Princess Stephanie of Monaco, 58, who was joined by her son Louis Ducruet with his wife Marie, and daughter Camille Gottlieb.
Princess Caroline, 66, came along with her elder son Andrea Casiraghi and his wife Tatiana Santo Domingo and her daughter Princess Alexandra of Hanover with her partner Ben Sylvester Strautmann.
Charlene was last seen in public at the Golden Nymphs Awards on 20 June, and remained silent on social media when the couple celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary last week on 1 July.
Melanie-Antoinette, 38, who is the daughter of Prince Albert’s cousin Elizabeth, is understood to have supported Charlene during her comeback into the spotlight, after a period of illness and treatment for ‘exhaustion’.
The first cousin once removed of Prince Albert II was also pictured at his side during engagements while his wife was away.
She’s been a fixture at royal events since the 2010, after taking over her mother Elizabeth’s role as the core royal family’s confidante.
However, despite the seeming ease and closeness with which Melanie-Antoinette slots into the royal circle, the family tree is filled with a history much more complicated.
Melanie-Antoinette, 38, is understood to have support Charlene during her comeback into the spotlight, after a period of illness and treatment for ‘exhaustion’
They watched the match between Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina on the Centre Court from the prestigious Royal Box as Albert giggled with chairperson of Wimbledon, Ian Hewitt
It is alleged that her grandmother Antoinette de Monaco, Baroness de Massy – who was the older sister of Rainier – once hatched a plan to remove him from the throne through vicious rumours that he couldn’t provide an heir.
Rumours have swirled about the relationship between Albert and Charlene, who is 20 years his junior.
In March this year, French magazine ROYAUTÉ claimed that the Prince and the former Olympic swimmer were in the process of separation, but the Palace was quick to hit back.
A spokesman said: ‘I would like to formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the French magazine Royauté. Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded.’
The rumour gained momentum when the article was repeated by gossip sites, which sparked speculation on social media.
The first cousin of Prince Albert II once removed was also pictured at his own side during engagements while his wife was away, Tatler reports, for events going as far back as the 2010s
Rumours have swirled about the relationship between Albert and Charlene, who is 20 years his junior
Prince Albert went to the London tennis tournament match with his cousin – but Princess Charlene was nowhere to be seen
Charlene was absent from Monaco for most of 2021 while having medical treatment in her native South Africa, and was admitted to a Swiss clinic to be treated for exhaustion on her return.
She missed the seventh birthday of her twins Gabriella and Jacques and her tenth wedding anniversary with Albert.
In interviews at the time, Albert explained he had stepped up to play a bigger role in his children’s lives as the family coped with Charlene’s ongoing health issues.
Their wedding was thought to have cost ‘£53 million’ and rumours also circulated that Charlene had tried to flee the country on three occasions with a one-way ticket to Johannesburg.
Albert, 65, attended the screening of the film Rainier III par lui meme, directed by Yann-Antony Noghes at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco last week with his family
Princess Charlene of Monaco, 45, was not at Wimbledon today. Pictured: Charlene when she was last seen at the Golden Nymphs awards three weeks ago
Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy was by Princess Charlene’s side for engagements
A tumultous two years for Princess Charlene that saw her spend 10 months in South Africa away from her children, admitted to a treatment facility in Switzerland and strike a rumoured £10million a year deal with Albert
2021: HEALTH ISSUES, 10 MONTHS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ADMISSION TO A SWISS TREATMENT FACILITY
January 27 – Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco.
March 18 – Charlene is pictured at the memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa
April 2 – Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter from an unknown location
May 8 – Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco without Charlene
May 18 – Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa
June 3 – New photos emerge of Charlene on her conservation trip
June 5 – Charlene puts on a united front as she shares a photo with her family to mark her niece’s fifth birthday with her brother’s family, Albert and the twins in South Africa
June 24 – Charlene’s foundation releases a statement saying she is unable to travel and is undergoing procedures for an ear, nose and throat infection
July 2 – Charlene and Albert mark their 10th anniversary separately. ‘This year will be the first time that I’m not with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me,’ she said in a statement
August 13 – Charlene undergoes a four-hour operation. The reason is not announced
August 25 – Charlene shares photos of Albert, Gabriella and Jacques visiting her in South Africa
September 1 – Charlene is admitted under an alias to the Netcare Alberlito Hospital after suddenly ‘collapsing’
September 2 – Charlene is discharged, with a statement from the Palais Princier reading: ‘Her Highness is closely monitored by Her medical team who said that Her condition was not worrying’
September 30 – Charlene releases a stylish video promoting her anti-poaching campaign from her South African bolthole
October 3 – Charlene shares a photograph of herself smiling in front of a Bible in her first snap since being discharged from hospital following her health scare
October 6 – Albert tells RMC radio Charlene is ‘ready to come home’
October 8 – Princess undergoes more surgery in South Africa
November 8 – Charlene arrives back in Monaco. Prince Albert said within hours it became clear she was ‘unwell’
November 13 – Albert attends Expo 2020 in Dubai without Charlene. Following his return from the trip, Albert holds an intervention with Charlene’s brothers and a sister-in-law in which Charlene ‘confirmed’ she would seek ‘real medically framed treatment’ outside of Monaco
November 16 – Royal household confirms Charlene will not attend National Day celebrations on November 19
November 17 – Albert reveals Charlene has left Monaco and is recovering in a secret location
November 19 – Albert reveals Charlene is in a treatment facility ‘elsewhere in Europe’ after a family intervention
November 25 – Sources tell Page Six Charlene ‘almost died’ after sinus surgery and ‘lost nearly half her body weight’ due to being ‘unable to swallow’. They also said it was ‘unfair’ to portray her as struggling with mental health issues
December 11 – Royal breaks her silence on Instagram to wish her twins Jacques and Gabriella a happy seventh birthday
December 24 – Charlene is still ‘months from recovery’ but will reunite with Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Christmas at treatment centre
2022: ROAD TO RECOVERY
January 25 – Charlene celebrates her 44th birthday alone. Royal shares slideshow of snaps from happier times featuring Albert, their children and her swimming career as she continues to receive treatment outside of Monaco
March 14 – Palace announces that Charlene is back in Monaco but will take time to ‘further strengthen her health before gradually resuming her official duties’
April 17 – Charlene is pictured for the first time in a family portrait to celebrate Easter
April 30 – Charlene makes her first public appearance since leaving a treatment facility as she attends Monaco E-Prix with Prince Albert
May 7 – The royal makes her second public appearance at the Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament
May 10 – French media claims Albert has agreed to pay his wife £10million a year to make sure she fulfils her consort role
May 25 – Charlene continues her return to public life at Monte Carlo Fashion Awards with daughter Gabriella
May 28 – Charlene continues her return to public life as she joins Prince Albert at the F1 in Monaco for the first time since 2019
June 6 – Albert says he was hurt by the ‘vicious’ rumours about his wife’s absence from Monaco and his family ‘missed the princess a lot’
June 16 – Charlene appears sombre in all-black ensemble for Catholic festival
June 18 – Charlene of Monaco looks glamorous in all-green ensemble as she steps out with Prince Albert for the Monte Carlo TV Festival opening ceremony
June 23 – Albert and Charlene attend a science exhibition opening with their children in Oslo – her first overseas visit since returning to public duties
July 4 – Albert and Charlene hold hands in new portrait to mark 11 years of marriage
July 5 – Charlene visits the Princess Grace Hospital Centre in her first solo engagement since her return to Monaco
July 9 – Albert attends Monaco’s Rose Ball without his wife, despite it being the highlight of the social calendar
July 18 – Charlene joins Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo
July 20 – Couple visit The Vatican for a private audience with Pope Francis
September 4 – Charlene joins Albert and their children Gabriella and Jacques for a rare family appearance at traditional picnic in Monaco
September 6 – Charlene and Albert take their twins Jacques and Gabriella, 7, to class for their first day back after the summer holiday
September 12 – Couple attend a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II
September 19 – Charlene attends the Queen’s funeral in London alongside Albert
October 4-5 – Charlene wows on a solo surprise visit to Paris Fashion Week
October 21 – Charlene makes emotional solo visit to an animal shelter as she sends ‘all her love’ to fans following her return to royal duties
November 8 – Couple attend the annual Princess Grace Awards in New York
November 16 – Charlene attends Monaco’s Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with Albert
November 19-20 – Charlene attends Monaco National Day celebrations with Albert and presents awards at 2022 World Rugby Awards ceremony
December 2 – Charlene takes her seven-year-old twins to Monaco Christmas village along with her model niece Charlotte Casiraghi
December 13 – Couple attends Monaco’s Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with her husband Prince Albert
December 14 – Family attend Christmas tree ceremony in Monaco
December 15 – Charlene reveals she feels ‘much better’ and has ‘much more energy’ after lengthy health crisis in an interview with Monaco Matin – the first since returning to royal duties
December 21 – Family releases a stylish family Christmas card
December 23 – ‘Proud’ Albert praises Charlene for ‘turning it around in an incredible way’ after lengthy health crisis, saying she had a ‘very tough year’
A Parisian news magazine reported that Charlene had been stopped at Nice airport after allegedly learning a ‘distressing’ revelation about her future husband’s private life.
A senior Monaco detective claimed at the time: ‘Charlene had her passport confiscated so that the Prince’s entourage could persuade her to stay’.
It was also reported that Prince and Princess stayed at separate hotels for the first night of their honeymoon.
Flying into Durban, South Africa, the couple’s holiday opened auspiciously, meeting Jacob Zuma, president of the Republic.
While they arrived at the audience together, however, a local newspaper reported that they left the president ‘in two separate vehicles’.
Princess Charlene beamed as she posed for a snap with cast members of the TV Series Buddy Games, US actor Josh Duhamel, Michael Luisi, and Dan Bakkedahl in Monte Carlo
The mystery deepened when it turned out that Prince Albert was staying at the Hilton hotel in Durban, yet Charlene was bedding down at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga – more than ten miles up the coast.
Princess Charlene was last pictured three weeks ago when she attended the Golden Nymphs awards in Monte Carlo.
She oozed confidence as she posed on the red carpet in a long navy gown with a plunging neckline.
Princess Charlene beamed as she was snapped with cast members of the TV Series Buddy Games, US actor Josh Duhamel, Michael Luisi, and Dan Bakkedahl during the event.
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