Princess Charlene of Monaco will miss her country’s National Day celebrations as she continues to recover from the period of ill health.
Just days before the event, the Prince’s Palace in Monaco issued a statement saying that Charlene needed ”a period of calm and rest” and so would not attend the celebrations which will take place, as is traditional, on November 19th 2021. The princess is suffering from ”profound general fatigue”.
Princess Charlene returned to Monaco on November 8th after around six months in South Africa. She had been unable to come back any earlier from her home country after suffering complications from an ear, nose and throat infection brought on by previous surgery. Her health issues meant that for several months, her ears wouldn’t pressurise above a certain altitude and she was unable to fly.
On her return, she was photographed smiling alongside her husband, Prince Albert II, and their twins, six year old Jacques and Gabriella.
However, on November 16th, the Prince’s Palace said that her continuing recovery from her her health issues meant she would no longer be present at the events marking National Day in Monaco.
The statement, issued on behalf of Albert and Charlene, said ”having battled with poor health over the past few months, the Princess is currently convalescing and will continue to do so over the coming weeks, allowing her to recover from a state of profound general fatigue”. It continued ”due to this situation, the Princely Couple regrets to announce that Princess Charlene will be unable to attend this year’s Fete Nationale celebrations alongside her family and the people of Monaco. As soon as her health permits, the Princess looks forward to once again carrying out her Princely duties and spending time with the Monegasques.”
The communication also addresses speculation about where Charlene had been living since her return from South Africa, saying ”to protect the comfort and privacy essential to her recovery, the princess’ location will remain strictly confidential.”
Charlene was expected to attend a Mass and appear on the balcony of the Prince’s Palace during the National Day celebrations. It’s not known when she will next appear in public although the Prince’s Palace said that ”information on the Princess’ health will be communicated in due course, ahead of the Christmas holidays.”
It is expected that Prince Albert will be joined by Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella for at least part of the National Day events. His sisters, Princess Caroline of Hanover and Princess Stephanie of Monaco, are also expected to be present.
