After a turbulent 2021 that saw Princess Charlene separated from her family for the majority of the year, 2022 brought her back to her children in Monaco. The Princess of Monaco continued to heal after her return to the principality but soon was back to royal duties and in the public eye.
As 2022 began, we weren’t sure when Charlene would return from the treatment centre, but rumours swirled that it would be soon. While the world waited on the Princess, Prince Albert announced Monaco’s flagbearer for the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Charlene celebrated her birthday and shared family snaps on her Instagram to mark the day. We also saw Princess Caroline stand at Albert’s side as Monaco celebrated its patron saint; Charlene had not been seen in public in one year.
We got an update on Charlene’s health from the Princely Palace and learned that while she was recovering, her treatment would continue for several weeks.
Prince Albert flew to China for the Winter Olympics in February, and Princess Charlene became a manga character.
In March, Prince Albert released a major statement while Charlene’s mystery absence continued – but it was about the relationship between Monaco and Russia.
However, a few weeks later, the Princess of Monaco returned to the principality.
The Princely Palace released a statement on 12 March, saying: “In agreement with her doctors and while her recovery is on the right track, Their Serene Highnesses have agreed together that Princess Charlene can now continue her convalescence in the Principality with her husband and her children by her side.”
Charlene remained out of sight in March, but Albert took their twins, Gabriella and Jacques, to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
By April, rumours were again swirling that Charlene had left Monaco, but she made an appearance a few days later in surprise Easter photos. At the end of the month, the Princess of Monaco put all those rumours of leaving Monaco to rest by making her first public appearance in over a year.
The Princess of Monaco joined her husband, Prince Albert and their twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, at the Monaco E-Prix.
In May, Prince Albert opened his office doors to a luxury car YouTuber, and Princess Charlene was all smiles for the St Devote Rugby event.
Charlene later shared a special fashion moment with her daughter, Gabriella.
We heard from Albert about Charlene’s return in June, with the Prince saying: “Today, Charlene is back with us, and this is the most beautiful thing which could have happened.”
He also spoke of his family’s trying times because of their separation.
“We missed the Princess a lot,” he said, stating that the separation was “a test for my wife especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times, far from her family. A test also for our children and for myself.”
The Prince and Princess of Monaco later took the twins to Norway to honour Prince Albert I and his explorations.
While Charlene is one of the few women in the world with privilège du blanc when meeting the Pope, the royal chose to wear black instead during her latest meeting with His Holiness in July.
In September, Princess Charlene shared how Gabriella prepared for her first day of school – and it’s something many parents have dealt with in the past!
The following month had Albert in Spain meeting with King Felipe regarding Prince Albert I and his passion for oceanography.
National Day falls on 19 November, and after years of restrictions due to the pandemic, things got back to normal in 2022. With Princess Charlene back in Monaco, the people had extra reason to celebrate this year.
It was also announced that Princess Stephanie would become a grandmother for the first time as her son, Louis Ducruet, and his wife, Marie, are expecting a daughter in 2023.
Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques turned eight on 10 December, and Charlene shared several unseen photos of her children for their special day on her Instagram account.
The twins also celebrated their birthday with an eye on an important cause – Monaco’s Oceanographic Institute. The young twins helped prepare a pack of juvenile turtles who would soon depart the principality to join the Turtle Village in Noflaye, Senegal.
The Prince of Monaco will deliver a New Year’s Eve address this evening.
