Princess Charlene of Monaco is in a "new chapter in her life," Arlene Prinsloo, author of Charlene: In Search of a Princess, has previously told HELLO!. Thursday, March 12, marks four years since the royal mother of two returned home to the principality, closing a difficult chapter that had kept her away from Monaco for months.
© Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesAn extended stay away from home
The princess' return came nearly a year after she fell ill abroad. In May of 2021, Princess Charlene contracted a severe ear, nose and throat infection while visiting South Africa. She later explained in an interview with South Africa Radio 702's host Mandy Wiener that she had a problem equalising her ears and was initially supposed to be in the country for 10 to 12 days. Her extended stay in Africa sparked rumors about her marriage to Prince Albert, with the couple spending their tenth wedding anniversary apart that July.
After months away, Charlene finally returned to Monaco in November 2021. She was pictured wearing a mask as she posed for photos with her husband and twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. While back in the principality, it was announced that Charlene would not be attending Monaco's National Day, as she continued to "recover from a state of profound general fatigue". From the palace balcony, her children, then six years old, held signs up for their mom, which read: "We miss you mommy" and "We love you mommy."
© Daniele Venturelli/Getty ImagesTreatment outside Monaco
Less than two weeks after her homecoming, it was revealed that Charlene was receiving treatment at a facility outside of Monaco. Albert dispelled rumors about their marriage, telling PEOPLE: "I'm probably going to say this several times, but this has nothing to do with our relationship. I want to make that very clear. These are not problems within our relationship; not with the relationship between a husband and wife. It's of a different nature."
Charlene stayed at the facility for several months. On March 12, 2022, the palace announced that she had already returned to Monaco and would continue her convalescence in the principality. "As soon as Her health is strong enough, the Princess looks forward to once again spending time and socializing with the Monegasques," the palace said.
© WireImageBack and thriving
She made her first public appearance the following month, in late April, at the Formula E championship, where she was joined by Albert and their kids. Speaking to Nice-Matin that May, Charlene shared: "When I returned to the Principality, I focused all my energy on my children, my husband and my health because they are my priority. My state of health is still fragile and I don’t want to go too fast. The road has been long, difficult and so painful. Today I feel calmer."
These days, the princess not only radiates calmness, but confidence. "She's come full circle from being away from Monaco in the Covid time, going back, taking ill, not being so present in Monaco as people were used to, and now she's just back on the scene," Arlene told HELLO!. As the Charlene: In Search of a Princess author declared, Charlene has "come back with a bang".
