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Monaco

“My daughter is a tough one” says Princess Charlene’s father

Princess Charlene’s father has commented on his daughter’s ongoing health issues.

He has said that “my daughter is a tough one. She is going to overcome this.”

In an exclusive interview with the South African magazine You, Michael Wittstock said, “My daughter used to swim 20 kilometres a day. I know how much she trained and I know she’s very strong,” and “Based on the way she used to train, I know she’s tough and will get through this and come out much stronger.”

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic and their age, Michael and Lynette—Princess Charlene’s mother—were unable to visit her while she was in South Africa undergoing multiple surgeries and recuperating from the side effects of her ear, nose and throat infection.

Wittstock said, “At our age you have to be very careful. In addition, I also did not want to infect Charlene, because she had to undergo so many medical procedures and she was very vulnerable.”

He revealed that in lieu of seeing Princess Charlene in person that they spoke frequently on the telephone and that he speaks frequently with his grandchildren, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. “We have a great relationship,” he said.

Princess Charlene has been receiving inpatient treatment at a facility in Europe since just before Monaco’s National Day on 19 November. Prince Albert revealed the news exclusively to People magazine, saying that his wife is being treated for profound “exhaustion, both emotional and physical.”

Prince Albert declined to say exactly what caused his wife’s illness, but stressed that it is not marriage-related. He stressed that Princess Charlene “was clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally. She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life.”

It is unknown how long Princess Charlene will receive treatment outside Monaco, but she has missed the country’s National Day celebrations and early Christmas engagements she typically undertakes with the family.

Royal Central will continue to bring you the latest news on Princess Charlene’s health.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.