Coinciding with Monaco’s National Day celebrations, People magazine published yet another exclusive interview with Prince Albert, in which he talked at length about his wife’s health.
The sovereign revealed that Princess Charlene is currently in a “treatment facility” to rest and recover because “she was clearly exhausted, physically and emotionally. She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life.”
The Prince said she had not slept well for many days and wasn’t eating well. As a result, she’d lost a lot of weight that put her at risk for diseases like COVID.
So, together with her family, they decided to support her through her decision to check herself into the facility. He said he sat down with her brothers and sister in law to discuss how to help her. Charlene had already made a decision to get help, and he said they really only wanted her to confirm that to her family.
The Prince went on to detail the family intervention: “She was very calm and very understanding. She realised herself that she needed help. You can’t force anyone to understand that they need treatment, they have to accept that themselves. She was already in favour of it. We knew that. We only wanted it confirmed in front of us. We wanted to tell her that we love her so much, and that we were there for her, and that the most important aspect for her is her health That she shouldn’t worry about anything else. That we all love her, that her children love her, and that we only want the best for her.”
For obvious reasons of privacy and discretion, the facility had to be outside of Monaco. Prince Albert, however, made it clear that it is not far away from home, saying she is not that far away.
The Prince once again asked for privacy for his entire family as Princess Charlene recovers from these issues: “She needs privacy; as a family, we need privacy. She needs time to rest in the best environment possible. Even if we as a family are public figures. When public figures have health issues, they deserve privacy just like anyone else. I hope everybody will understand that. Give us the time that we need; give her the time that she needs to heal and get better and be back with her family in Monaco. Charlene never asked to have these problems — but they are there, unfortunately, and we need space and privacy to address them. So I beg everyone to understand that and please leave my family alone for the coming weeks.”
As for their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, who may have to celebrate their seventh birthday, on 10 December, without their mum, Prince Albert says they understood. The twins recognised that she was not herself and was tired. He stressed that they miss their mum but that they know they will be able to visit her.
To conclude the interview, Prince Albert reiterated the point he made in earlier interviews, both to People and local magazines: this prolonged separation has nothing to do with relationship issues, nor any serious illness. “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.”
He also made sure to emphasise that her illness is not COVID related or related to any type of plastic surgery.
Princess Charlene has been missing from the principality since mid-May when she flew to South Africa to carry out some engagements with her foundation. She found herself stranded there with an ear, nose and throat infection, a consequence of a dental procedure, which prevented her ears from equalising pressure and therefore made it impossible for her to fly home. She finally made her return to Monaco on 8 November but soon after pulled out of any future engagements to finish her recovery.
Since the beginning of her absence, speculations have been circulating about the couple’s relationship, and both Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have been trying their best to put them to rest.
