Charlene, Princess of Monaco, was not always a royal, nor has she always lived in Monaco.
It was there that she pursued her passion for swimming first as a sport and later as a career.
As Charlene’s swimming career took off, she caught the attention ofMonaco’s Prince Albert II.
Sparks flew, and soon the couple was an item.
Nevertheless, following a long, drawn-out courtship,Charlene and Alberttied the knot in an extravagant 2011 ceremony.
LikeGrace KellyandPrincess Dianabefore her, Charlene watched her life change dramatically after her marriage.
Some reports have even claimed that she feels isolated behind palace walls.
Of course, Charlene’s successful swimming career set her apart from other young professionals.
“I was literally a fish out of water.
In retrospect, Charlene said she should have dressed the royal part.
“I realize that my debut into Monaco society should have been better executed.”
She dropped the weightlifting routine that she performed as an Olympian and instead focused on stretching.
Historically, royal brides fromSophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, to Princess Diana were hounded by the press.
Unfortunately, during her engagement, Princess Charlene did not escape the intensity of royal media coverage.
Apparently, she tried leaving the country a second time at the Grand Prix.
The outlet also alleged that the Monegasque police force confiscated Charlene’s passport after a final attempt.
Ultimately, all of this press attention took its toll.
The princess later toldThe Times: “Everything was just so overwhelming …
This was particularly true during their honeymoon, which the newlyweds spent in South Africa.
Indeed, right when the couple arrived in South Africa, Albert settled into the Hilton hotel in Durban.
For practical reasons, it was better to sleep there.”
It’s a mystery.”
A government spokesperson also echoed this sentiment.
“The time is now right to produce the next ruler of Monaco.”
Unfortunately, all this chatter meant that Charlene was faced with the burden of conceiving quickly.
When the princess didn’t get pregnant within a year of her marriage, the pressure got to her.
This subject is weighing more and more heavily on her shoulders."
This was initially great news for the couple, as they were both anxious to conceive.
Nevertheless, the pregnancy didn’t prove an easy ordeal for Charlene.
On December 10, 2014, the princess prematurely deliveredPrincess Gabriella and Prince Jacquesvia a cesarian section.
Afterward, the mother and her two children remained in the hospital for some time.
Even so, the proud mother reaffirmed that everyone arrived in good health.
“I’m a little tired but we’re all fine thank you.
“At first, I was happy to hear their first cries.
I was obviously a bit overwhelmed with emotion,” Charlene told Paris Match shortly after their birth.
According to the princess, those initial emotions gave way to awe.
“Every second with them is magical.
I look forward to being able to spend more time in their presence,” she explained.
To Monegasque people, this unusual living arrangement was hardly a secret.
It was obvious she chose to spend most of her time in the apartment rather than the palace.”
Ultimately, though, Charlene’s fans won’t decide where she resides.
According to some sources, the princess grew gravely ill at a shockingly rapid pace.
As a result of these issues, Charlene was forced to undergo several surgeries.
Although the princess did, eventually, regain her health, the path to recovery wasn’t easy.
In the insider’s view, the resulting lack of nutrition took its toll on the princess' body.
Despite the publicity surrounding Charlene’s medical issues, the media speculated about her absence from Monaco.
The French outletParis Matcheven alleged that she was leaving Prince Albert once and for all.
Its amenities include yoga classes, a swimming pool, and an Oxford-educated psychologist.
And, it’s not cheap!
A report in theDaily Mailfound that the clinic charges as much as 43,000 per week.
Charlene lived there for four months.
Naturally, the princess' long-term stay in a medical treatment facility raised questions about her recovery.
When asked about the status of Charlene’s health, Prince Albert toldPeoplethat the princess was struggling.
She was overwhelmed and couldn’t face official duties, life in general or even family life."
Thus, she decided to seek help.
Interestingly, though, Charlene’s friends have voiced their overall disagreement with Albert’s characterization of his wife.
The palace is downplaying that she almost died in South Africa."
Albert and Charlene have long spoken out against the media’s claims about their marriage.
“You want to talk about divorce rumors …
I find it truly regrettable that certain outlets peddle rumors about my life, my relationship.”
However, as time has passed, this characterization has grown old.
The princess' friends agree that Charlene is not as powerless as the media has portrayed her to be.
This anonymous individual went on to debunk the idea that Charlene is somehow unable to fend for herself.
“She’s a little bit of an iconoclast.
She’s her own person, and she’s not a shrinking violet.”
If anyone doubted that characterization, they would only need to look as far as Charlene’s ever-changing hairstyles.
Her most controversial do was a partial buzzcut that she debuted at a Christmas fair in 2020.
In 2022, the princess returned to the principality after completing her treatment in Switzerland.
Apparently, her time away reaffirmed what she felt for the Monegasque people.
“My state of health is still fragile, and I cannot go too fast.
The path has been long, difficult, and painful,” she told Nice Matin.
As a result, the princess said that her main priority would be her family life.
Charlene’s doing really well.
As you might see for yourself, she’s been active in any number of different events."
