01of 16Merry Christmas from MonacoPrincess Charlene.Princess Charlene/InstagramPrincess Charlenewished friends and followers aMerry Christmasin 2020 with a carousel of celebratory candids featuring her husbandPrince Albertand their young twinsPrince JacquesandPrincess Gabriella.The royal also gave fans another glimpse of heredgy new hairstyle,a “half hawk,“with which she’d surprised onlookers at a Christmas gift event a week before.
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Merry Christmas from Monaco
Princess Charlene.Princess Charlene/Instagram
Princess Charlenewished friends and followers aMerry Christmasin 2020 with a carousel of celebratory candids featuring her husbandPrince Albertand their young twinsPrince JacquesandPrincess Gabriella.
The royal also gave fans another glimpse of heredgy new hairstyle,a “half hawk,“with which she’d surprised onlookers at a Christmas gift event a week before.
02of 16Mourning a National LeaderPHILL MAGAKOE/POOL/AFP via GettyThe former Olympic swimmer, who grew up in South Africa and competed for her country at the 2000 Summer Olympics, paid her respects at the memorial for King Goodwill Zwelithini in March 2021. The king of the Zulu nation died that month, and the memorial was held at the royal palace in Nongoma.
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Mourning a National Leader
PHILL MAGAKOE/POOL/AFP via Getty
The former Olympic swimmer, who grew up in South Africa and competed for her country at the 2000 Summer Olympics, paid her respects at the memorial for King Goodwill Zwelithini in March 2021. The king of the Zulu nation died that month, and the memorial was held at the royal palace in Nongoma.
03of 16Family EasterPrince Albert and Princess Charlene with kids Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.HSH Princess Charlene/InstagramThe princess posted arelaxed family photoahead of the Easter weekend in April 2021, showing Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella smiling for the camera while painting eggs with their mom and dad.
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Family Easter
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene with kids Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.HSH Princess Charlene/Instagram
The princess posted arelaxed family photoahead of the Easter weekend in April 2021, showing Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella smiling for the camera while painting eggs with their mom and dad.
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Princess Charlene.Tim de Waele/Getty Images
In May, Princess Charlene (pictured here at a different event) left Monaco to support her South Africa Foundation’s work in wildlife protection. The royal met with an anti-poaching unit in the field andoffered her thanks"for keeping our wildlife and rhinos safe.”
While abroad, the mother of twounderwent surgeryafter her sinus lift and bone graft (performed prior to her May arrival in South Africa) became infected. Her health issues were cited when her appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix on May 21 was abruptly canceled.
Later in the summer, Charlene would reveal thatthe serious ENT infectionwouldn’t allow her inner pressure to “equalize,” meaning she couldn’t fly above 20,000 feet for several months — including home to Monaco.
05of 16Visit from Her Husband and KidsHSH Princess Charlene/InstagramPrince Albert visited his wife with their two children in early June, reuniting at a private game reserve in the country’s Kwazulu Natal district. Charlene posted a photo from the long-awaited reunion andcaptioned it simplywith a heart.
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Visit from Her Husband and Kids
HSH Princess Charlene/Instagram
Prince Albert visited his wife with their two children in early June, reuniting at a private game reserve in the country’s Kwazulu Natal district. Charlene posted a photo from the long-awaited reunion andcaptioned it simplywith a heart.
06of 16Hopeful About Heading HomePrince Albert, Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella and Princess Charlene.PLS Pool/GettyIn late June, Charlene (pictured in Monaco prior to last year) underwent a second corrective surgery to address the continued pain she was experiencing, which turned out to be the severe ear, nose and throat ailment. The June 23 procedure delayed her scheduled return to Monaco, ahead of her 10th wedding anniversary on July 1.“My daily conversations with Albert and my children help me keep my spirits up a lot, but I miss their presence very much,” she toldPEOPLEin a statement. “I can’t wait for us to be together.“Speaking to South Africa Radio 702 during her anniversary month, the royal said she hoped to leave South Africa aroundthe end of October, after another medical procedure amid the frustrating “waiting game.”
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Hopeful About Heading Home
Prince Albert, Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella and Princess Charlene.PLS Pool/Getty
In late June, Charlene (pictured in Monaco prior to last year) underwent a second corrective surgery to address the continued pain she was experiencing, which turned out to be the severe ear, nose and throat ailment. The June 23 procedure delayed her scheduled return to Monaco, ahead of her 10th wedding anniversary on July 1.
“My daily conversations with Albert and my children help me keep my spirits up a lot, but I miss their presence very much,” she toldPEOPLEin a statement. “I can’t wait for us to be together.”
Speaking to South Africa Radio 702 during her anniversary month, the royal said she hoped to leave South Africa aroundthe end of October, after another medical procedure amid the frustrating “waiting game.”
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Staying Connected
“Spending time with Jacqui and Bellamaking blankets for the crèche next door. Wish me luck 😂🙏” Charlene captioned a series of Instagram photos in July, showing her FaceTiming her twins while working on a service project.
In another photo, she panned the phone camera while standing before conservation posters that read “SAVE OUR ELEPHANTS” and “SAVE THE RHINO,” presumably teaching her twins about the importance of wildlife protection.
08of 16Reunited!Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their twins.Palais Princier/Eric MathonIn August 2021, Charlene promoted rhinoceros conservation with abold photo shootand joyfully reunited with her husband and twins in South Africa following amajor corrective surgeryfor her ongoing issues.“I am so thrilled to have my family back with me,” she wrote of a photo with Albert, Jacques and Gabriella during the family’s vacation to a safari resort in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region.During their time apart, the princess teased that her daughter “decided to give herself a haircut!!!” and explained she did her best to correct the 6-year-old’s handiwork.“Sorry my Bella I tried my best to fix it,” she joked of the trim on Instagram.
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Reunited!
Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their twins.Palais Princier/Eric Mathon
In August 2021, Charlene promoted rhinoceros conservation with abold photo shootand joyfully reunited with her husband and twins in South Africa following amajor corrective surgeryfor her ongoing issues.
“I am so thrilled to have my family back with me,” she wrote of a photo with Albert, Jacques and Gabriella during the family’s vacation to a safari resort in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region.
During their time apart, the princess teased that her daughter “decided to give herself a haircut!!!” and explained she did her best to correct the 6-year-old’s handiwork.
“Sorry my Bella I tried my best to fix it,” she joked of the trim on Instagram.
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A Small Bump in the Road
Speaking with PEOPLE after visiting Charlene in South Africa, Prince Albert said his spouse was “eager” to head home after nearly four months away and voiced his hopes that it would maybe even be able to happen sooner than initially expected.
“She’s ready to come home,” the royal toldPEOPLE. He noted that the return date “depends on what her doctors say,” and if her progress continued, Charlene could plan to travel as soon as September.
However on Sept. 1, the princess was hospitalized in South Africa “due to complications from a serious ENT infection,” the palace said in a statement to PEOPLE.
10of 16Ready to ReturnOn Oct. 3, Charlene appeared to be in good spirits as she posted asmiling photo on Instagramcaptioned, “God Bless ❤"A few days later, Albert told a Monaco radio station his wife was on the mend despite her"complicated"path to recovery. He also gave an update that she would be checking in with doctors “in a few days.“On Oct. 8, the palace confirmed to PEOPLE the princess had visited the hospital for what was expected to be a"final procedure"before she could return home to Monaco.
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Ready to Return
On Oct. 3, Charlene appeared to be in good spirits as she posted asmiling photo on Instagramcaptioned, “God Bless ❤”
A few days later, Albert told a Monaco radio station his wife was on the mend despite her"complicated"path to recovery. He also gave an update that she would be checking in with doctors “in a few days.”
On Oct. 8, the palace confirmed to PEOPLE the princess had visited the hospital for what was expected to be a"final procedure"before she could return home to Monaco.
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Family First
Princess Charlene and the family shortly after she arrived back in Monaco.Eric MATHON/Palais Princier
Sharing a snippet from an interview on herInstagrama few days later, Charlene opened up aboutmissing her children “terribly"and said she couldn’t wait to see them again. Fortunately, the wait wouldn’t be much longer.
After her six-month stay in South Africa, Charlene didn’t come home empty-handed, either. Amid their reunion, a local newspaper reported that she alsointroduced loved onesto the newest member of their royal family: aRhodesian Ridgebackpuppy named Khan!
12of 16Taking More TimePrincess Charlene, Prince Albert, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.princess charlene/ instagramDays after making her highly anticipated return, Charlenecanceled her appearanceat Monaco’s National Day and announced her “temporary” withdrawal from public activities. Said to be in a “state of profound fatigue,” the palace toldPEOPLEthat she and her husband decided the pause was necessary in the best interests of her health.“Having battled with poor health over the past few months, the Princess is currently convalescing and will continue to do so for the coming weeks, allowing her time to recover from a state of profound general fatigue,” the palace said in a statement.On Nov. 19, Prince Albert exclusively toldPEOPLEthat his wife was receiving treatment in a facility “outside of Monaco.“The sovereign prince said that Charlene was suffering profound “exhaustion, both emotional and physical,” and that the decision was made in part with her brothers. Dismissinga variety of rumors, Albert said her recovery would require clinical care lasting at least several weeks.
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Taking More Time
Princess Charlene, Prince Albert, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.princess charlene/ instagram
Days after making her highly anticipated return, Charlenecanceled her appearanceat Monaco’s National Day and announced her “temporary” withdrawal from public activities. Said to be in a “state of profound fatigue,” the palace toldPEOPLEthat she and her husband decided the pause was necessary in the best interests of her health.
“Having battled with poor health over the past few months, the Princess is currently convalescing and will continue to do so for the coming weeks, allowing her time to recover from a state of profound general fatigue,” the palace said in a statement.
On Nov. 19, Prince Albert exclusively toldPEOPLEthat his wife was receiving treatment in a facility “outside of Monaco.”
The sovereign prince said that Charlene was suffering profound “exhaustion, both emotional and physical,” and that the decision was made in part with her brothers. Dismissinga variety of rumors, Albert said her recovery would require clinical care lasting at least several weeks.
13of 16Miss You, MamaPrince Albert, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty ImagesDespite the distance, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella had their mom on their mind. At Monaco’s National Day Nov. 19, the young royals displayedhomemade signsshowing support for Charlene during the royal family’s traditional balcony wave from the palace.Gabriella’s sign read: “We Miss You Mommy,” while Jacques' said: “We Love You Mommy.“Tuned into his kids' feelings, a palace source toldPEOPLEthat Prince Albert was doing everything he could to be there for the twins.“Prince Albert said he wanted today to be as close to a normal National Day as possible,” the source said at the time. “And in particular, as much as can be for the children.“Missing her family just as much, Charlene shouted out Jacques and Gabriella on social media a few weeks laterin honor of their 7th birthdayon Dec. 10.“Happy birthday my babies,” she wrote, posting photos from her kids' celebrations at the palace. “Thank you God for blessing me with such wonderful children. I’m truly blessed. Love mom.❤️”
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Miss You, Mama
Prince Albert, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques.VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images
Despite the distance, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella had their mom on their mind. At Monaco’s National Day Nov. 19, the young royals displayedhomemade signsshowing support for Charlene during the royal family’s traditional balcony wave from the palace.
Gabriella’s sign read: “We Miss You Mommy,” while Jacques' said: “We Love You Mommy.”
Tuned into his kids' feelings, a palace source toldPEOPLEthat Prince Albert was doing everything he could to be there for the twins.
“Prince Albert said he wanted today to be as close to a normal National Day as possible,” the source said at the time. “And in particular, as much as can be for the children.”
Missing her family just as much, Charlene shouted out Jacques and Gabriella on social media a few weeks laterin honor of their 7th birthdayon Dec. 10.
“Happy birthday my babies,” she wrote, posting photos from her kids' celebrations at the palace. “Thank you God for blessing me with such wonderful children. I’m truly blessed. Love mom.❤️”
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A Different Kind of Christmas Card
Monaco Royal Family Christmas card 2021.Princess Charlene/Instagram
Ahead of the holiday, Charlene released her family’s Christmas portrait on herInstagrampage. Breaking with their typical tradition of a glamorous Christmas photo, theillustration showedthe princess with Albert, Jacques and Gabriella before a festive fir.
“Wishing everyone a beautiful and safe festive season all my love ❤,” Charlene captioned the snap.
“Princess Charlene is recuperating in a satisfactory and reassuring manner, although it may take a few more months before her health has reached a full recovery,” the statement said.
15of 16New Year, New UpdatesPrince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.PLS Pool/Getty ImagesPrincess Charlene turned 44 on Jan. 25, 2022, and shareda special videocreated in her honor to mark the milestone. The clip celebrated the reigning princess' life story, from Olympic swimmer to her her royal wedding, motherhood and charity work.The same week, the palaceconfirmed that Charlenewould be absent from the royal family’s annual celebrations for Saint Dévote Day on Jan. 27 as she continued to recover – and that things were looking up.The “convalescence of H.S.H. Princess Charlene is currently continuing in a satisfying and very encouraging way,” a translation of the palace’s statement in French read.
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New Year, New Updates
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.PLS Pool/Getty Images
Princess Charlene turned 44 on Jan. 25, 2022, and shareda special videocreated in her honor to mark the milestone. The clip celebrated the reigning princess' life story, from Olympic swimmer to her her royal wedding, motherhood and charity work.
The same week, the palaceconfirmed that Charlenewould be absent from the royal family’s annual celebrations for Saint Dévote Day on Jan. 27 as she continued to recover – and that things were looking up.
The “convalescence of H.S.H. Princess Charlene is currently continuing in a satisfying and very encouraging way,” a translation of the palace’s statement in French read.
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Home at Last
Princess Charlene.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
On March 12,PEOPLEexclusively reported Charlene returned to Monaco andreunited with her familyearlier in the week.
Charlene had beenreceiving care in a Swiss clinicsince November. Her return to Monaco after four months, in consultation with her physicians, is a result of her “encouraging recovery,” per palace communication sent toPEOPLE.
source: people.com
