Princess Charlene skips Rose Ball

It’s the highlight of the Monaco social calendar – but where was Princess Charlene? Prince Albert attends Rose Ball without his wife – as Charlotte Casiraghi and Princess Alexandra wow

  • Rose Ball took place in Monte Carlo last night but Prince Albert attended without his wife Princess Charlene 
  • Other Monaco royals led glamour, including Princess Caroline, Princess Alexandra and Charlotte Casiraghi
  • Absence from Charlene comes amid reports she is receiving £10million a year to appear at public outings

Prince Albert of Monaco last night attended the glittering Rose Ball without his wife Princess Charlene.

The annual event was full of the glitz and glamour expected from Monte Carlo, with Princess Caroline of Hanover and her daughter Charlotte Casiraghi, 35, leading the arrivals along with 22-year-old Princess Alexandra. 

Notably absent from the Rose Ball was Princess Charlene, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Gabriella and Jacques with husband Prince Albert.

She has only recently re-entered public life after largely remaining out of the public eye over the last 18 months, but rumours have swirled that she is receiving £10million a year to appear at her husband’s side at official engagements. 

Leading French media reported the ruler of the tax haven Mediterranean principality was doing everything possible to keep Charlene ‘at his side at public events’. 

Despite these claims, the Monaco royal steered clear of last night’s festivities.

Ben-Sylvester Strautmann and Princess Alexandra of Hanover attend the Rose Ball in Monte Carlo. Princess Alexandra, the granddaughter of Grace Kelly, wore a gorgeous white and red chiffon ballgown for the glamorous occasion

Notably absent from the Rose Ball was Princess Charlene, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Gabriella and Jacques with husband Prince Albert (left). Also pictured is French designer Christian Louboutin and Princess Caroline of Hanover


Charlotte Casiraghi, 35, the daughter of Princess Caroline of Hanover, attended the Rose Ball with Dimitri Rassam (seen together left). Also in attendance were Tatiana Santo Domingo and Andrea Casiraghi

Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the 61st Monte Carlo TV Festival with her husband Prince Albert (pictured) on June 17. Supporters continue to express concerns about Charlene’s mental health following her return to Monaco

The rest of the royal family were out in full force, with Princess Alexandra, the granddaughter of Grace Kelly, donning a gorgeous white and red chiffon ballgown for the glamorous occasion. 

Her sister Charlotte Casiraghi, 35, opted for a chic look, in a simple pale pink dress which gathered at the waist.

Their mother Princess Caroline was typically stylish in a black patterned gown and pearls, with her hair pulled back in a sleek up-do.    

The much-anticipated Rose Ball was first thrown in 1954 by Princess Grace of Monaco, the American actress who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

The event is currently presided over by the Sovereign Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline of Hanover and the funds raised go towards the Princess Grace Foundation, which assists young artists by providing scholarships.

The absence of Princess Charlene may have come as a shock to some, as the royal has slowly started returning to public life after a lengthy break.

Last month, the Monaco royals travelled to Norway to attend the opening of the Sailing the Sea of Science exhibition at the Frammuseum in Oslo, where they were greeted by Crown Prince Haakon. 

The much-anticipated Rose Ball was first thrown in 1954 by Princess Grace of Monaco, the American actress who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Pierre Casiraghi, his wife countess Beatrice Borromeo, Andrea Casiraghi, his wife Tatiana Santo Domingo, Caroline de Hanovre, Prince’s Albert II of Monaco, Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Casiraghi, her husband French producer Dimitri Rassam, Ben-Sylvester Strautmann and Alexandra of Hanover

The Rose Ball is currently presided over by the Sovereign Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline of Hanover and the funds raised go towards the Princess Grace Foundation, which assists young artists by providing scholarships


Charlotte Casiraghi (right), 35, opted for a chic look, in a simple pale pink dress which gathered at the waist. Pictured left: Princess Alexandra

The Rose Ball was first thrown in 1954 by Princess Grace of Monaco, the American actress who married Prince Rainier III

Charlene is slowly readjusting to royal duties after remaining largely out of the public eye over the last 18 months. She spent 10 months in her native South Africa last year after contracting a sinus infection that later required surgery. 

She returned to Monaco in November but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was ‘exhausted’.

The Royal Palace announced in March that Charlene would make a gradual reintroduction to public life.

Earlier this week, Princess Charlene sparked fears from fans by sharing a ‘distressing’ piece of art depicting her ‘behind bars’. 

The Monaco royal shared the digital creation on her Instagram yesterday. 

The NFT was created by artist Junaid Sénéchal-Senekal in support of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s #feed2gether initiative, which aims to provide food to struggling children in South Africa. 

The absence of Princess Charlene may have come as a shock to some, as the royal has slowly started returning to public life after a lengthy break. Pictured second from left is her husband Prince Albert, who attended the event alone 

Pierre Casiraghi, his wife Beatrice Borromeo, Andrea Casiraghi, his wife Tatiana Santo Domingo, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Casiraghi, her husband French producer Dimitri Rassam, Ben-Sylvester Strautmann and Alexandra of Hanover

Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo attend the Rose Ball in Monte Carlo, the most anticipated event of the social calender

Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Caroline of Hanover and designer Christian Louboutin pose for a photograph at the Rose Ball

Charlene is slowly readjusting to royal duties after remaining largely out of the public eye over the last 18 months. She spent 10 months in her native South Africa last year after contracting a sinus infection that later required surgery

Crown Prince Haakon, Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella, Opening of the ‘Sailing the Sea of Science’ exhibition at the Frammuseum in Oslo on June 22

The artwork features a sepia-toned portrait of Princess Charlene broken up into squares. However some supporters claim the image makes it look as though the royal is in jail. 

One fan wrote: ‘I don’t like to see you like that, behind bars.’

Another posted: ‘It’s very well done, and very telling too. We see there all the distress of the soul. I hope you find inner peace.’

In recent weeks, Charlene has made a handful of public appearances with her husband and children, including an outing to the F1.

On Sunday she made her first royal engagement to the Princess Grace Hospital Centre where she met patients and families on the maternity ward. 

Supporters continue to express concerns about Charlene’s mental health following her return to Monaco. 

Prince Albert said he was ‘hurt by the vicious rumours’ peddled about his marriage following his wife’s absence and said that it’s the ‘most beautiful thing’ to have her back with him. 

Princess Charlene of Monaco sparked fears from fans by sharing a piece of art depicting her ‘behind bars’, pictured. The NFT was created by artist Junaid Sénéchal-Senekal in support of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s #feed2gether initiative, which aims to provide food to struggling children in South Africa

First appearance since her return: Princess Charlene joined Prince Albert and their children at the Monaco Formula E World Championships on April 30

Back in business: Princess Charlene stepped out for her first solo engagement since returning to Monaco after a stint in a treatment centre for ‘exhaustion’

Princess Charlene met Prince Albert in 2000 during a swimming competition in Monaco and the pair married in 2011, before welcoming twins Gabriella and Jacques in 2014.

Born in Rhodesia, a previously unrecognised state in Southern Africa colonised by the British, she relocated to South Africa aged 11.

She had a successful swimming career and went on to win three gold medals and a silver medal at the 1999 All Africa Games in Johannesburg, as well as representing South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games and winning a silver medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay in the latter competition.

However the pair’s marriage has made numerous headlines over the years, with a third paternity suit emerging in December 2020.

Family outing: Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their children at the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament on May 7

Mummy-daughter date: Charlene took her daughter Gabriella, seven, to Monte Carlo Fashion Week on May 24

In the public eye: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco at the Monaco F1 on May 29

Soon afterwards Charlene famously shaved half her head in the style of a punk rocker. Months later she left for South Africa.

The allegations in December 2020 claimed that Albert had fathered a love-child (which would be his third, if proven) with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene were already in a relationship.

He has also fathered two other children outside of wedlock. Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, who is now 29 and the result of Albert’s affair with an American estate agent, and Alexandre Coste, 18, whose mother is a former Togolese air hostess.

Both children were struck off Monaco’s line of succession in return for vast financial settlements.

Timeline: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene’s year apart

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.

It is unknown where the image was taken.

May 8 – Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco without Charlene

May 10 – Albert attends Monaco Gala Awards in Monaco without Charlene

May 18 – Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa

June 1 – Prince Albert II, Jacques and Gabriella attend event at Oceanic Museum in Monaco

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 and Albert and the twins in South Africa

June 7 – Albert and the twins attend the World Rugby Sevens without Charlene

June 17 – Prince Albert attends Red Cross Summer concert in Monte Carlo with his sister Princess Caroline of Hanover

June 18 – Prince Albert appears alone Monte Carlo TV Festival

June 24 – Charlene’s foundation releases a statement saying the royal 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,’ Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene said in a statement.

July 3 – Albert appears with glamorous niece Charlotte Casiraghi at the 15th international Monte-Carlo Jumping event, which is part of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco,

July 27 – Prince Albert attends Olympics alone in Tokyo

August 13 – Charlene undergoes a four-hour operation. The reason is not announced

August 25 – Charlene shares photos of Prince 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 – She 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 23 – Prince Albert attends the 2021 Monte Carlo Gala for Planetary Health

September 29 – Prince Albert is joined on the red carpet by actress Sharon Stone for a first look at the eagerly anticipated James Bond release

September 30 – Charlene releases a stylish video promoting her anti-poaching campaign from her South African bolthole

October 3 – Princess 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 5 – Prince Albert attends Sportel Awards Ceremony in Monte Carlo with nephew Louis Ducruet

October 6 – Albert tells RMC radio Charlene is ‘ready to come home’

October 8 – Princess undergoes surgery in South Africa

November 8 – Charlene arrives back in Monaco. Prince Albert said within hours it became clear she was ‘unwell’

November 13 – Prince Albert attends Expo 2020 in Dubai without Princess Charlene

Following his return from the trip, Prince 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 Princess Charlene will not attend National Day celebrations on 

November 19 – Prince Albert attends a Monaco Red Cross event without Princess Charlene

November 17 – Prince Albert reveals Princess Charlene has left Monaco and is recovering in a secret location

November 19 – Prince Albert reveals Charlene is in a treatment facility ‘elsewhere in Europe’ after a family intervention

January 25 – Charlene celebrates her birthday alone outside of Monaco

January 26 – Prince Albert is joined by his children and sister without Charlene at St Devote’s Day

February 27 – Prince Albert and his two children attend AS Monaco football match without Princess Charlene

March 14 – The royal palace announced Charlene had returned to Monaco. 

April 17 – Palace released Easter Sunday family portrait of couple with their seven-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques

April 30 – Princess Charlene makes first public appearance at Monaco E-Prix 

May 7 – Charlene joins Albert at  Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament

May 18 – Prince Albert takes twins to Disneyland without Charlene

May 25- Charlene appears with Gabriella at fashion show while Albert attends football game with Jacques 

May 28 – Charlene and Albert appear together at Monaco F1 

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