Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco were all over the place this past weekend. I’m including some photos from the events they did (together!) in Monaco, including a charity fashion show (Charlene wore orange-brown pleats), the Monaco Grand Prix (Charlene wore black and white stripes, with some great red lipstick) and the Formula One gala (Charlene wore a black evening gown). Oh, and they did a photo op for a charity for disabled people too – that’s the turquoise outfit. She and Albert did several other events too, but these are the ones I wanted to cover.
I’ve looked through all of our photos, and my general thought is that Charlene is still not pregnant. But! She has gained a little weight, which does give her a slightly knocked-up air. While I think Charlene and Albert negotiate these dual public appearances and make smiley faces for the cameras, I don’t think Charlene wants Albert to touch her at all in private, and God knows, maybe the feeling is mutual. From what the “sources” in Monaco say, poor Charlene is just a glorified broodmare and everyone in Monaco is SO disappointed in her. You would comfort-eat too. Meanwhile, remember how that French magazine reported (last year) that Charlene tried to escape Monaco three times only to have her passport confiscated? Albert said he was going to sue. And now he has:
Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife have launched a legal battle for libel damages over a front page story that appeared in The Sunday Times. The couple, who married last July, are demanding unlimited damages of more than £300,000 from publishers Times Newspapers over a story headlined “The Full Filthy Monte”, which was published the day after their wedding.
The story claimed that Prince Albert was guilty of being complicit in serious criminality and deliberately turning a blind eye to wide-scale financial corruption throughout Monaco, according to the couple.
The couple say the story meant he turned a blind eye to severe police brutality and abuse of power, and overlooked the criminal actions of money launderers and mobsters, despite his promise in 2005 that he would root out corruption and clean up the city state.
According to their High Court claim, the story said Prince Albert deliberately cultivated links with individuals involved in organised crime, allowing himself to be blackmailed into providing them with unlawful financial or other benefits, in return for their promise not to expose secrets about his private life.
Prince Albert, the story claimed, had bribed his bride Charlene Grimaldi into a sham marriage, forcibly preventing her from leaving the country shortly before their wedding by telling police at Nice airport to take her passport as she tried to flee, after discovering the truth about him fathering an illegitimate child during their relationship.
The court will hear how the paper claimed his wife had agreed to take part in a sham marriage, not because she loved him but because he paid her so much money to go through the pretence of an extravagant wedding that she agreed, despite the illegitimate child.
The prince and princess say the story, which continued on two inside pages, caused substantial damage to their reputations, as well as considerable hurt, distress and embarrassment.
They are also demanding aggravated damages, saying The Sunday Times failed to check the claims with them first.
The story – which carried the subhead “Behind a fairy tale wedding in Monaco lies rumours of murky money, abuse of power and a reluctant bride” – was published in the most sensational and inflammatory manner possible, and the allegations were then widely republished, they claim.
Now they are seeking damages, and an injunction banning the repetition of the allegations at the centre of their lawsuit.
[Via The UK Press Gazette]
From what I remember of Albert’s reaction to the story, he was seriously pissed off and Charlene just looked like a hostage agreeing with her captor. I have to think that while Albert wants The Sunday Times to admit a mistake and allow him to be publicly vindicated, when you introduce this kind of thing into the legal system, it’s going to end up a hot mess… for Albert and Charlene. If libel cases in France are anything like the libel cases in America, won’t The Sunday Times have to “prove” that they got part or all of their story right? Which means they’ll have to present evidence that Charlene did in fact try to pull a runner before the wedding. Which might be kind of easy to prove, you know?
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
Poor Charlene
Agree. Although, she is a very pretty lady. You can look at their body language and tell that something isn’t right here. I don’t think they have a very good marriage. She just looks so sad. Except for when she is with children..she always brightens up when she is with them.
I agree about the body language, even with their arms around each other there is still about a foot of distance between the two. They seem really uncomfortable with each other. Sad.
Looking at those photos, I can’t decide if Charlene’s very depressed or doped up.. or both.
even when she smiles i pity her. don’t know why
Agreed, Princess Prisoner Of Monaco Always Manages to looks sad/drugged up etc
She looks really pretty with the bright lipstick and in color. But I’m going with drugged up and sad.
yes! she should wear makeup like that more often. and yeah, drugged up due to depression is my guess. run, charlene! haha
Agreed. Charlene, if you read here — and you really should — you look great with a pop of colour. And I think the short hair looks great on her.
Oh, I hope she sticks it to that little prick. There was a story recently (the Daily Mail?) that said she’s depressed because she hasn’t got pregnant, and she can’t get out until she provides dickwad an heir. I do feel for her. Even her family is on his side because of all the money that’s come their way.
She looks gorgeous in the black-and-white stripe and the turquoise. Their body language is so depressing. They’re not just stuck in a loveless marriage, they look like they can’t even stand each other. Look at how he’s looking at her in the picture where he’s trying to grab her hand! And the way she’s basically pulling it out of his grip just screams, “don’t f**ing touch me!”
Wow, I didn’t notice it so much before until I read your comment. But even when they have their arm around each other, there is no other part of their body touching – i.e. from the chest down, they don’t touch! That can’t happen accidently.
Yes-most awkward body language! They look so uncomfortable together.
Maybe it’s the way her make-up is done, but in the pleats, it looks like she had been crying and she wasn’t full able to wipe it up? I love that light blue outfit though..
This is gonna get entertaining
She looks amazing with the pink lipstick, she should wear it all the time. The shiny glossy ones make her lips look very enlarged and fake.
i don’t know if its just these particular photos, the Monacos look very ill-at-ease with each other.
compared to the Cambridges (even the tiny pic on the “You Might Like” bit after the article), who look like they’re on perpetual honeymoon of some sort. (maybe they are).
the uneasiness between the Monacos even translate to their awkwardness with other people. look at the tight smile with the girl in wheelchair or the one where she’s standing over the others.
compare it with when william & kate visited the orphanage (?) or children center in canada (?, can’t remember, but their first royal couple visit abroad i think). different camaraderie.
with the Monacos, it’s just waves after waves of tension. i hope i’m not just being ungroundedly mean or seeing things that aren’t there. i really am not trying to be too bitchy about it. just seeing a difference in bearing between the two newly-wed couples (they’re married within a month of one another, right?)
She’s really pretty when she wore black and white stripes with the red lipstick. Perhaps she should go out more often with a dash of bolder color either in make up or her attire so she would look less sad/moping. It certainly brighten her up.
I think Kate Capshaw should be flattered her face is making the rounds of plastic surgeons’s offices.
This.
Yeah, Charlene def looks like her face got stung by a million bees.
She had had a bunch of work done, that’s for sure. Never thought of Kate Capshaw before but that’s pretty good.
Does the striped dress actually have race cars on it?
Yes, it does. You can see the detail of the dress here: http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.ca/2012/05/royal-trend-watch-vroom-vroom-fashion.html
I don’t know if there’s enough money on earth to make me sleep with this toad. You’de HAVE to be drugged to get through it- he’s just looks all kinds of pervy and mean.
Charlene reminds me of someone I know, this person just hardly ever smiles. She also has no sense of humor, just cannot get sarcasm at all. She is actually very nice, and very successful, just not outwardly happy or funny. Odd thing, this person was a very high calibre swimmer too, weird !
Doesn’t she have family? If a family member told me she didn’t want to marry, but couldn’t seem to escape it, I and a cavalry of family would come to her rescue. I don’t care if they’re royalty. Never underestimate the power of the plebs.
Her family let it be known to the media that they compared her wedding/marriage to winning the world cup!
Yup
I’d bet my left arm that she IS pregnant. Her work here is almost done!
i kind of think the same. The botox has also been allowed to wear off. She also doesn’t look as miserable as she used to. So either she’s finally come to terms with whatever was going on around her wedding or she’s pregnant and therefore about to get her freedom.
Q: CAn botox affect pregnancy?
Absolutely. That’s why she looks somewhat relieved/relaxed. Whether or not seh wants to be in the marriage, the pressure to become pregnant was enormous!
I think she’s pregnant too! Good for her!!!
And if we are right, as well as the baby deal, maybe they also made sure that it’s a boy. So as much as the botxo can allow, she can relax knowing she’s nearly free.
You might be right. She looks healthier, like she put on a few pounds.
@Al..I think she is pregnant too..look at her middle. It is expanding. I think there will be an announcement soon. Poor sad Charlene.
The turquoise color is lovely but she should have left the straight jacket part of the outfit at home.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find “Help Me” written in her pink lipstick on the ladies room at the Monaco Ritz.
+1 lol
She looks haggard.
She has the saddest eyes.
Please Charlene stop with the plastic surgery!
Her facial skin looks so “dead-tightened”. No wonder she always looks depressed… there is only one facial expression possible.
Maybe she’s trying not to get pregnant? Perhaps she thinks she can get released from her contract and that will be the only way she can escape.
I don’t understand this story – can someone clarify for me? Charlene and Albert was dating normally and got engaged, with feelings for each other. THEN there was discovery of Albert’s love child, Charlene wanted to end the relationship and tried to leave but Albert didn’t let her? Or is it that they had no love to begin with and it was all arranged until Charlene didn’t want to go through with the sham/setup breeding arrangement right before the wedding?
No one knows except them, but common opinion has it being an arrangement, one in which he agreed to no extra relationship affairs, which he did not adhere to. When there was a child born during his time with Charlene and she found out about it, that’s when she tried to leave. The common opinion now is that to get her to marry him (thereby not being humiliated by basically being jilted at the altar), she agreed to be married and provide the heir (after which I assume she wouldn’t have to sleep with him anymore), and after a suitable period of time they would divorce and he would set her up very nicely indeed.
Oy Vey…..so much for fairy tales. Has there ever been a decent Prince Charming?
The Princesses/Aristocracy are certainly wise to them, and don’t want to go there so all these sacrificial lambs everywhere….SMH
I’ll argue that people raised surrounded by wealth, sycophants, and loads of family issues rarely turn out charmingly…
Funny how everyone has such negative things to say about them. They are rich famous and royals. What is not to be jealous of. All of those rumors spread about them in the French press. The sad part about it is some of us Americans believe that crap. No wonder we have the Government we do. You people believe everything you hear or read without any proof. It just does not make any sense to me. But then again it is just jealousy. If you do not like them why take the time to look them up. I think they can care less of what others think people are going to think what they want whether you do good or bad. Its not a win win situation.
What’s not to be jealous of? Being married to a toad for one.
Trust me on this. Money does NOT buy happiness. It buys you a lot of nice things and you can buy very expensive booze for your benders ande crying jags, but it does NOT make you happy.
I used to have money, and I don’t any more, just the things I bought with it. I’d have my life now versus what that life cost me any day of the frickin’ week.
Amen. Same w/ me, and I’m now in the same boat you are in, but I wouldn’t change it.
Nothing worse than being married for thirteen (13) years to someone who never once complimented me or took me on a vacation.
Oh, and I had lots of attention from other men and lots of opportunities I never acted upon. Stupid me.
Judy, mine was a business arrangement that I walked away from. Looking back, I should have sued but at that point I just wanted to get the hell out and not even think about it any more.
Money brings you (does not “buy ” you) happiness when you have earned that money. It makes life pleasant, secure and free. If you entered a “business arrangement” marriage, it is not too surprising you should feel upset about it now. But do not blame “money”–it is a tool, a thing–, blame your own decisions and values.
Think she’s a gorgeous, classy-looking woman…they are few and far between nowadays.
Also love her in the bright pink lipstick…works well w/ her blonde hair. She actually reminds me a lot of Grace Kelly.
I have a serious question. Where can I see photos of her before the wedding? Every one always says she’s depressed (she does look it) but I have no reference from before to compare. This is the only face I’ve seen her have.
Not that I don’t think Albert isn’t Yuck but still maybe that’s just her face?
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Charlene+Wittstock/FILE+Profile+Charlene+Wittstock/vyhSYIRxG9Z
This site has a time line of pics so if you are bored/interested enough, you could look through them.
Thanks!
There’s no way I can click through all of those…she did seem a little more animated pre-wedding but I’m going with that’s her face.
@Reece – That picture that the site opens on ie no 601…..how different does she look compared to now. It’s amazing how much plastic surgery she’s had and the difference in the expression in her eyes.
Well, in the first picture she looks like she’s about to be lead off and shot, but she does look happier in the other pictures in a dazed, dopey sort of way. Maybe they adjusted her meds.
I think Charlene is trying to avoid getting pregnant. My best guess is that if she doesn’t get pregnant in 5 years, he’ll still divorce her.
What I don’t understand is why Albert felt the sudden need to get married and have an heir. What’s wrong with Andrea? Everyone seemed comfortable and happy with Andrea as the heir.
It is sad that you get people writing so much crap. Charlene is happy and looks happy and I bet you will see them still as one of the most solid couples in the world. SO STOP this ugly gossip. She is beautiful and certainly a lot more interesting that any other royal at the moment
I agree. She’s more interesting and far more beautiful than any other royal.
Are you used to ordering people around?
“STOP this ugly gossip. She is beautiful and certainly a lot more interesting that any other royal at the moment”
LOL! Interesting? She’s a bloody useless housewife to a “prince.”
Though I am curious now who could you be Ms. Really Tired of This Nonsense.
Their PR shill?
There are other sites where you can kizz azz to this euro trash. Excoose me – Euro Royalty.
curiously, I find that the Cambridges almost never touch in public and when they do, it’s rather awkward. Find me a photo of them kissing or hugging or even holding hands, even when in a private setting. Except for the brief and not very passionate kiss on the balcony, I have yet to see ANY signs of passion from these two. I don’t see why Charlene is being seen as the miserable one. She also has a much softer, sweeter expression than Kate. Reminds me a bit of young Diana – Charlene, not Kate, of course. William, on the other hand, often looks at her with this expression of either exasperation or anxiety.. particularly when she’s talking to a reporter or a head of state. You can tell he’s not awfully proud of her brains…
There is a swell of people who have commented on this, me included. The counter argument is that they are supposed to be restrained in public, but as you say, even the odd private pap pic still shows them as you have described.
Funny though, there are plenty of pictures, private and public that show William being open, affectionate and even touching many people. It’s odd that he is so restrained with his wife. no one is expecting PDA, but the wedding and Canada are the last time i can remember where he was openly affectionate with her.
I’ve seen some where they are walking and holding hands or otherwise looking like a normal newlywed couple. One was right after Zara’s wedding, and the other was walking on the beach at Anglesey.
@Lak we will have to disagree on Charlene then. She looks so drugged out or sad on so many pictures that I can’t possibly believe that all of the drama is made up. I also can’t agree with posters saying they hope she gets away once she has kids. If she is truly unhappy how can that possibly be a healthy situation for any kid ( royal or commoner). Charlene is not new and I swear she didnot look this messed up even 2 years ago.
It’s perfectly fine for you to hate Kate but that doesnot change the hot mess of a situation going on on Monaco. Lol I don’t see how anyhow sane that has followed Charlene that can’t see the plastic surgery and all the mess. Of course wit Albert being a mess himself doesnot help.
The hot mess in Monaco just inspires pity in me. For Charlene. Yes, she signed up to it but i just can not help feeling sorry for her. i do not see glamour, wealth or anything that can make her current position worth whatever deal she’s made.
if the stories of her running away are true, then at least we know she has a little back bone. Perhaps she will make it out someday.
I only pity Kate when i think what a huge personal sacrifice she’s had to make to land William. And i am not talking about the media/public scrutiny. It is pitiful how much she’s reduced herself to point that she is at least a decade behind her peers as far as life is concerned. We argue/compare her work ethic to that of a 19yr old girl???!!! i pity all women who have to make themselves smaller in order to land their men. Maybe i am being idealistic but that is also a life i can not endorse. The difference though is that Kate will not walk away from this. No matter what BS RF throw at her, even if they are detrimental to herself.
Once my agreed time is over big, chubby prince.. sorry husband.. and you have no child.. I shall waltz away free, rich and as an lucky international beauty prize you thought yours.. but failed.. remember that! in her small smug smile and contented expression..
She would have to be bit of a lowlife to get pregnant knowing that she would not be able to take her child away if they divorced.
Resigned to her fate?
omg, what happend to her face? it looks so puffy…. and her upper lip also. either she did have some botox and things like that or she is pregnant. but in the pic with the turquoise things on, she doesn’t look pregnant. now she really looks like all the other desperate rich old ladys in monaco.
THIS!!!!! What is more amazing to me that if posters disliked Charlene ( for whatever reason) the majority would take this stance. It’s really interesting how full of crap people can be even just online.
Sadly she does and the transformation was so fast!!!!!
I love the red lipstick. Yes she looks so sad. I feel for her.
Some of you ought to be ashamed of yourself for believing anything you hear or read. My first comment was correct. I think people that hate them so much are jealous and envious of them. IF YOU HATE THEM SO MUCH WHY LOOK THEM UP? I can understand some people have to tear other down to build themselves up. Those of you gossiping abut them are not any different than the French media that spreads lies about them. They sued them and will get a settlement which they deserve. I always knew those rumors were not true about them. WHERE IS THE PROOF ANY OF THOSE RUMORS ARE TRUE. You know it is not true but you choose to believe them anyway. They have been together for years and they are in love. I think they are best friends that have a lot of fun together. The pictures that do show them having fun or laughing like the reindeer sleigh they rode some people do not comment on them because you have nothing to say. Only they know the way they feel towards each other who are we to judge them.
It would pretty much be impossible to prove the rumors they are suing over are true. So of course there will be a settlement.
I think she looks absolutely beautiful as always. I hope they have a long happy life together and rise above all the hatred other people have towards them. Some people are so evil and say such hurtful things for no reason to people that have done nothing wrong to anyone.
Can we talk about Albert’s tacky tie in the first picture? Did he borrow that from a Grade 9 Science teacher? Blergh.
(No offense Grade 9 Science Teachers! Don’t come after me with your bunsen burners!!!!)
she looks pregnant
Ooh, creepy, with the hair and angles in the 5th and 6th photos, she looks like his sister Stephanie.
The Grimaldi genes sure don’t age well… this is what Albert used to look like:
http://www.markfromholland.com/PhotoGallery/1/big/PrinceAlbert.jpg
on photos taken while in Nepal ,they looked much more relaxed and happy together. Journalist on trip said , Albert is a nice man ,kind and more at ease when speaking English than French…tends to stutter in French. When she is away from Monaco she looks more happy. I can’t blame her ! I never believed those nasty rumours before their wedding …those who know her well say she has a good sense of humour and can be quite funny. why could they not be in love ??
you guys all have it 100% wrong.
The royals who married for love were Prince Albert and Charlene.
The ones who married because it was expected were the Cambridge royals. He’s in love with her, but the only thing she sees is a title and $$. meanwhile, with Prince Albert and Charlene its actually mutual genuine love for each other.
Charlene’s not pregnant. Multiple sources have stated (including a friend of mine who’s a former Wittstock insider) that she cannot get pregnant. there will be no children from this union. He doesn’t want to fail another woman and child, she can’t give him one.
The Cambridges will never have a child either-they are both children themselves! (not in age, but maturity level!)