Princess Charlene has been in South Africa since early May by many accounts, although there is some reporting that she might have actually moved to South Africa much earlier this year. It was only in late May when people began to notice her absence in Monaco, and the cover story (or true story) was that Charlene had gotten a terrible ENT infection, one which had grounded her in South Africa for months on end, and required multiple surgeries. About two weeks ago, Charlene had another surgery and she claimed that she would need to be in South Africa until the end of October. Meanwhile, the rumors of an impending divorce have grown across European media, with German, French and Spanish tabloids claiming that any day now, they’ll formally split and file for divorce.
Well, when the Prince’s Palace confirmed that Charlene would have another surgery, they also claimed that Prince Albert would travel to South Africa with the kids to see her. That’s actually happened! Charlene posted photos of her reunited family and she didn’t even cut Albert out of the photos. She wrote on her IG: “I am so thrilled to have my family back with me…(Gabriella decided to give herself a haircut!!!) Sorry my Bella I tried my best to fix it.” Take a closer look at Gabriella’s bangs… my God. Weirdly, Bella’s hair still looks better than her mom’s.
Anyway, I’m glad Charlene is getting to see her kids. She hasn’t seen them in person since June. I really wonder what kind of mess is happening behind-the-scenes.
Photos courtesy of Princess Charlene’s IG.
Which begs the question…how come they didnt go visit before now?
Because he had shit to do like running his Principality and going to the Olympics
August is typically vacation time in France/Monaco, so it does make sense that he would fly the kids to see her before they are back in school.
They did go visit her in June previously, Charlene posted a pic of the kids on her Instagram of that visit.
I’m glad she got to see her kids. Albert looks terrible, paunchy old grandad that got woken from a nap and is relying on that tree trunk to hold him upright.
Charlene and Albert should never have married. Then they brought kids into it and the whole situation is a mess.
Aww…the ritual of kids’ cutting their own hair. Jacques and Bella are cuties. Glad they got to see their mom. Hope Charlene is recovering well. Looks like she’s growing her crap haircut out too.
Bella’s bangs are horrible. I hope she cut them herself and no adult inflicted that upon her.
Yeah, that’s what Charlene said–Bella gave herself a haircut & then mom tried to fix it. I love the result! Who doesn’t have childhood photos like that?! Well, OK, my dad wasn’t old like Albert & my mom’s face was utterly her own, but you get the idea. I am wondering, though, why Charlene seems to be dressed for a different season from the rest of her family.
Bella is a Vulcan princess now.
*snort* Vulcan princess! 😂 I have picture proof of worse haircuts and my bangs were done by my mom! She couldn’t cope with my cowlicks.
I want Bella’s dress for my daughter. She’d go crazy for it.
It looks like a Hungarian embroidered dress with a possible lion head motif in the center. Rather than a larger flower. Love it.
Scary how much Bella looks like Albert, and Jacques looks like Charlene.
Omg.. those bangs are tragic (look like a giant widow’s peak lol); can you imagine how bad it looked if THIS is what could be done to make it “better”?? lol Still… this is a ritual most kids go through (cutting their own hair). Could be a LOT worse.
I actually cut my side bangs under the influence of Ambien one night (and I’m a LOT older than Bella! lol). I saw the “hair debris” on the sink counter the next morning, not to mention the shock in the mirror! lol. (although it wasn’t *too* bad and could be reblended by my hairdresser). But needless to say, I am no longer using Ambien!
I babble in my sleep on ambien but luckily have never cut my own hair. My husband passes out sitting up with his glasses on surrounded by food on ambien. I frequently wake up with some candy he was eating stuck to me.
IMO Jacques is a blonde version of Charlene’s brother, Gareth.
Whoa, that’s one angry-looking little girl in pic #3!
Right! I think she is serving some serious LEWKS in all of the photos. She looks like a 19 year old very serious model stuck in a child’s body. I love it though. She seems like a character.
Apparently I chose the day of my beloved aunt’s wedding, at which I was a flower girl, to—for the first time ever or since then—be Very Fussy about getting my photo taken. So all of the wedding party photos have an extremely pissed off looking 4 year old in them.
That’s a Xena pose! lol.
She does NOT look like a happy camper.
That picture is what made me think of her as a Vulcan high commander or austere Vulcan princess.
Both the kids are capable of looking very, er, imperial. 😀
My favourite photo of this family is one where they’re all standing on a balcony in Monaco, and Albert and Charlene look like henchmen looming in the background, while their children look like two very small, very evil super-villains plotting the doom of the peasants.
lol they’re not even trying to look happy in these pics
Yes! These are presumably the best pictures of them, and all of them look so unhappy and angry, exterior maybe Albert.
Agree! It’s so weird that her little boy is hugging Charlene in one pic, and she’s posing looking off to the side! The little girl is standing completely off to the side in one, and Albert makes no move to be near her, though it’s supposedly a happy reunion. This is one TROUBLED family, and Albert looks absolutely awful.
Those poor kids. They look so unhappy. The whole family looks unhappy. I can’t imagine losing my mother for months.
Oh Gabriella, those bangs… At least hair grows back. The italian tabloids are also insinuating that all is not well in the Grimaldi family. We’ll see by October if Charlene actually goes back or they announce a separation.
Gabriella’s RBF in some of these pictures remind me of a photo session my family did when my sister and I were around the same age. I look so nervous, like I’m about to cry and my sister is straight up frowning like Gabriella, looking so mad lol. We had that picture framed sitting on some end table for years and I would always make fun of it.
I’m glad she finally got to see them! My guess is they will return to Monaco in time for the new school year. Hopefully she can return there early? If they truly are separating, hopefully she can find a private villa outside of Monaco and live there until the kids reach university. Whatever is going on, I hope she finds happiness and peace. As for Albert, he looks miserable in these pictures and not great. They really do look so disconnected as a couple but then to me they always have.
Yeah the pictures of the kids made me laugh because Gabriella’s expressions are just so typical of a child that age.
I’m glad she’s gotten to see her kids, I have been one who has said for the past few months that she’s never going back and its definitely divorce but I’m becoming less sure as time goes on, I don’t think she would have posted pictures of Albert if that was the case.
She added a couple more pictures of her and Albert to her Instagram. One where they are hugging each other. I don’t think she’d post that if she was minutes away from filing for divorce. I’ve wondered if she’s been using this time apart to work on her mental health. She certainly looks happier ( although she has resting sad face at the best of times).
I took a pic of my sister when she was about 5-6 yrs old (I’m 8 yrs older). I had just braided/looped her hair (her request). But she had lost her both her front baby teeth, and she REFUSED to smile, just sat there, with her arms crossed, and a big pout. I still tease her about it (she’s almost 54 now!)
No photo of Charlene and Albert alone. But it’s good that she’s reunited with her children.
I notice she is on the ground for all photos. I wonder if she needs assistance walking. ENT issues can give people terrible vertigo and nausea.
I noticed the same thing. She’s only sitting down. She looks really sick to me.
This whole charlene/albert story has been weird from the word go and it continues to get weirder. Im happy she got to see the kids tho but yeah. I wouldn’t be surprised if they indeed get a divorce soon and she moves back to South Africa
Oh, but the custody battle! I assume she would file for divorce in South Africa. If she filed in Monaco, I’m sure that Albert would get full custody.
All the Grimaldi children from the fairytale romance of their parents are so messed up. What the hell happened between Rainier and Grace to make things so bad? Of course, Grace’s untimely death must have been a factor, but what else?
Ranier and Grace knew each other a couple of weeks before they got engaged. Grace was known for having affairs with her married costars in Hollywood. Her wealthy parents paid Ranier a 2 million dollar dowry for the wedding–I guess Ranier must have been cash poor. None of those things suggest “fairytale romance.” He was also openly unfaithful to Grace, and she was trapped in Monaco. She wasn’t allowed to reestablish her career, and spent a lot of her time bored and disatisfied. We really need to retire the “mary a Prince and live happily ever after” trope. It’s never been great to be a Princess, especially not a married-in princess. There are very few examples of happy married-in princesses. Ironically, one of the princesses who got the best deal seems to be Meghan, in that she has a man who genuinely loves her and will sacrifice for her, even if the institution of the monarchy hates her and wants her gone.
It’s the Grimaldi Curse–“Never will a Grimaldi find true happiness in marriage.” The curse is from the 13th century courtesy of a woman who was screwed over by a Grimaldi. Apparently his version of love ’em and leave ’em involved having her burned at the stake. The curse has played out over the centuries Grace and Rainier and Albert and Charlene (and Caroline and Stephanie) are only the most recent.
@Sparky. Thank you for that interesting tidbit! The Grimaldi Curse sounds like the perfect name for a Gothic movie.
It’s a mess up a PR move for sure to get people to stop talking about divorce. I feel bad for their kids.
They look so stressed.
You would think royalty could afford some better photographers or at least an iPhone 12 with portrait mode. Those photos look like something I would take, when, desperate to actually get myself in a family photo, I accept whatever has everyone with their eyes open, even if the original photo is wonky with the lighting and I try to IG filter the hell out of it so that it looks you can make out faces at least.
YES. The lighting, omg.
What’s up with those haircuts?
They’re all rebelling. Little girl probably missed her mom so much, poor lass. Maybe after the haircut, the dad finally relented.
Yeah that makes alot of sense. It’s the poor girl’s way of just expressing her feelings at not seeing her mother more. There’s no reason to not have the children stay with her for long periods while she’s in South Africa.
Things must be really tense because Gabriella is usually a really happy kid. I always thought that Charlene and Albert were doing a really good job raising the twins. The kids have been in the public eye since birth, they attend events, they’re always well-mannered. I hope the adults figure something out so that the little ones don’t suffer.
These pictures are weird and everyone looks miserable.
This. Omg-these are bizarre.
By the looks of it, Princess Gabriella is not here for this sh-t.
Quite interesting that Charlene is on the ground at the kid’s level just wrapping herself around them and he’s looming above.
Everyone in these pictures look miserable.
Why even bother to keep feeding the gossip?
No one is laying awake at night worried about A&C, just stop the PR and keep quiet.
They’re obviously leaving something out, so we don’t know what exactly is wrong.
But the first impression I got after looking at these pictures is that Charlene perhaps is not physically well? Her arms seem resting, and she’s sitting in all of the pictures. I hope I’m wrong.
Hard to tell but she does look rather frail.
One side of her face looks different – her cheek is swollen and her eye looks smaller. I truly hope she will be okay, as I think something is going on with her health.
Agree, she looks terribly unwell to me. Maybe it’s the toll taken by infection/surgeries, maybe it’s something entirely different. But I’d hope she’d at least be refreshed and relaxed after time in her home country, and that does not appear to be the case.
Yeah she looks fairly ill.
And she’s wearing a jacket, jeans, & boots, as though she were cold.
She’s in the southern hemisphere, it’s late winter/early spring there, isn’t it? A jacket wouldn’t be out of place, I’d think.
But her daughter is wearing a sleeveless dress and sandals, in fact in one pic she’s barefoot and Albert is dressed in a lightweight shirt. Even her son took off his hoodie and is wearing a t-shirt. These pictures definitely give off an odd vibe. If they were supposed to be reassuring that all is well, I think they just raise more questions.
I love these pictures so much. Can you even imagine other royals releasing them? My kids pull this sometimes, and I am never photogenic- but you bet we pick the best of the best before sharing them with friends/family. The fact that they didn’t do that speaks volumes. They don’t care that the entire world can see this.
I agree that it is probably part of the slow role to separation/divorce. No one will be shocked or surprised because we have watched it all unfold.
She does not look well.
This entire family looks miserable. I am no child doctor, but I would venture a guess that the little girl cut her hair as a way to act out her unhappiness with her family situation
Or, she’s a typical six-year-old girl and decided to cut her hair/bangs playing beauty shop. Maybe her mom’s short haircut inspired her.
‘the little girl cut her hair as a way to act out her unhappiness with her family situation’
Like mother like daughter?
Does anyone think it is possible she went away to some sort of rehab?
This is not a well woman. Maybe it’s because of her marriage or independent of that but bottom line is, she is not fine. I think a mental break is in her future if she doesn’t Address it now.
I feel so bad for Charlene. She’s doing her best, but still has to perform for the media. She should be enjoying time with her kid without having to stop to take pictures to try to stop all the lies in the media. It’s ridiculous.
She does not look well,
charlene is kinda hot, i like how she looks.
Charlene’s face… the right side… looks terrible. Having had sinus issues, that’s what happened to me. But hard to tell from pics exactly what is going on. Hope she feels better soon!
They all look so sad. I (almost) feel sorry for these people. So much wealth and privilege but they are miserable.
At first, I thought they are going to separate but now I believe Charlene really has medical issues she looks sick her face changed like she got nerve damage or something I hope she gets better.
Charlene looks sick.
There are pics of just the two of them in another post and they’re willingly putting their arms around each other so… that’s something. But OMG. Charlene looks so ill in one of them. I don’t have a good feeling about that.
I read yesterday on twitter “If you think times flies by, then you’ve never cut your own bangs”. And it’s true, though all my mistakes were made during my teens (and last month, lol).
I agree with others that Charlene doesn’t look good, I hope she doesn’t have anything serious!
Both parents look absolutely miserable, but Charlene looks so unhealthy and sickly, and looks like she’s lost a lot of weight. I hope they resolve whatever issues they have and her health issues are resolved.
Albert can’t afford proper fitting pants that his gut won’t hang over?
I feel like a lot of men with guts wear their pants like this. I think if he were to try a bigger waist it would just slide down and then fall down because the hips are so much smaller than the gut.
Went to her Instagram. There in the photos with her husband she looks really sick. Hope it’s only lack of makeup. And also saw photos of the kids laughing and doing kids stuff. Hope they all find happiness.
If she had a chronic ENT infection, it should have been cured with a combination of antibiotics and endoscopic surgery. It shouldn’t take 4+ months, multiple surgeries and an additional 4 hour stint on the operating table. People Mag said she’d been experiencing problems after a sinus lift and bone graft (performed in Monaco) became infected. That type of surgery is typically done due to deterioration of jaw and gum tissue after tooth loss. There are many highly trained specialists all over Europe who could have performed the sinus lift/bone graft surgery, why go to SA?
As you write, the first surgery was in Monaco. She flew to S. A., then things got worse. If she couldn’t fly back to Monaco for more surgeries, they’d have to take place in S. A.
Could there be jaw issues from an osteoporosis drug, if she was on one? Some of those are known to leach calcium from jawbones and cause dental/jaw issues.
Maybe for privacy? She wanted to be away from the media in Europe?
Does Albert looks like Robin Leach!?!
The daughter is not happy. There is something very wrong there.
This is what I get too. She looks pissed. Not happy to see her mom at all (and these are the best pics they got!) In non posed pics with just her dad and brother she looks happy and carefree. I think Charlene is not well for whatever reason and is unfortunately not caring for her kids. She is probably really sick, but daughter is not happy at all. Albert actually seems pretty hands on and a good dad.
That little girl is so cute! Her brother too, right obviously. But I’m loving the age-appropriate behavior
Looking at the other photos with Albert I think it should now be obvious she is unwell. She looks seriously sick and frail.
ENT issues would explain why she’s staying in South Africa (plane travel is out after a lot of ENT surgeries and travel by boat would be very rough with ENT issues), but the way she’s looking I’m thinking the real story is that her issues are much more serious than they’re letting on.
I agree. Albert almost looks like he’s barely holding back tears, kind of heavy hearted. Looking at her in these pics and especially the ones where she and Albert are hugging, i almost get the vibe they are in pre-mourning mode for something imminent (not divorce). I hope she isn’t ill with something terminal. Her face reminds me of my late sister in law weeks before she succumbed to brain cancer. Knock on wood it’s just a batch of REALLY unfortunate pics but yikes that vibe! 😣
Uh, Nope, I think you are on to something here. There was something off, and not just the obvious gossip, but I could not put my finger on it. There is something terrifyingly sad about these pictures. Heartbreaking.
Well she doesn’t look well at all so they weren’t lying about her being sick/having surgery at least
Yeah, Charlene does not look well. In one photo she’s clutching a rosary. Not a good sign. 🙁. Princess Gabriella is a clone of her father, who I’ve always thought looks like a male (pudgy, balding) version of Grace Kelly. So I wonder if she’ll grow up looking like her grandma?
Charlene really does not.look.well, l don’t know maybe she is getting some form of therapy there instead of de spot light and lens of Monaco, there must be a reason she only saw her children a.hand full of times as they can fly privately…..Gabriella reminds me very much of Princess Grace, gorgeous children, l hope whatever Charlene is going through she will come out de other side !
Yes, I do too, but I can’t help thinking that she looks seriously ill, and I wonder if that was what this whole time away from her family was about.
These pictures are so sad! Something is very wrong here, Charlene looks drugged and frail. I wish her health and peace.
I agree Charlene doesn’t look well at all. I hope it isn’t anything truly dire, that she’ll get better.
As for Gabriella, it’s not clear to me WHY she’s pissed but I’m not sure she’s angry at her mother. It might be she cut her bangs, as little girls sometimes do, and then Mom “fixed” it and she is unhappy with the results. She might have gotten in a little trouble for it, as well, and now she’s pouting.
The little boy looks happy enough. They’re such adorable children.