CHARLENE’S HEALTH CRISIS

THE MONACO ROYAL OPENS UP ABOUT HER MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS AS RUMOURS SWIRL ABOUT HER MARRIAGE

It’s been two months since Princess Charlene missed her flight back to Monte Carlo after heading to her native South Africa for a conservation mission in March. But with rumours surfacing over the state of her marriage to Prince Albert II of Monaco, the former Olympic swimmer, 43, has finally broken her silence about the mysterious health condition that has prevented her from flying home to her family.

The palace was forced to announce the mum-of-two had come down with an “ENT infection that does not allow her to travel” on May 22, after the princess pulled out of a scheduled appearance at the Monaco Grand Prix. Since then, she has revealed she still has no plans to make her way back to the

principality located on the French Riviera as she is recuperating from surgery.

“It’s been a trying time for me. I miss my husband and children dearly,” the princess said in an interview with South African website New24 in July. “Albert is my rock and strength and without his love and support I would not have been able to get through this painful time,” she added.

Charlene explained she had undergone a sinus lift and bone graft in preparation for dental implants before she arrived in South Africa, but had suffered from “complications”. A second corrective surgery performed in June left her unable to fly as her inner ear pressure wouldn’t “equalise”, she revealed.

While Albert, 63, has largely remained in Monaco, continuing to carry out his official duties, the prince has visited Charlene twice in South Africa with their children in tow. When they are separated, Charlene regularly stays in touch with her 6-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella via FaceTime.

The princess also praised her husband online after she missed their 10th wedding anniversary on July 1. “Happy anniversary Albert. Thank you for the blessing of our beautiful children,” she captioned a video showing moments from their decade together.

For many, the public gushing is seen as a ruse, designed to quell any gossip of a split while Charlene quietly goes about setting up her post-Albert life in South Africa. Talk of divorce started in December after the prince was hit with a paternity suit alleging he had fathered a daughter – his third illegitimate child – while he and Charlene were dating.

“Strange things have been happening in Monte Carlo for over a year,” a source told German Bunte magazine. “Charlene has been looking for a home for a long time near Johannesburg.”

It appears to be a case of history repeating itself for the woman who was dubbed “the runaway bride” – she was reportedly caught trying to flee Monaco three times in the lead-up to her 2011 wedding day after allegations of infidelity surfaced against Albert. Further reports alleged that Charlene only went through with the ceremony after brokering a deal with palace officials that she would be free to leave, with a financial settlement, after providing him with a legitimate heir.

Despite staying in Monaco following the birth of her twins, it’s no shock that the Zimbabwe-born princess would choose her former homeland as a refuge if she ended her marriage. After 15 years with Albert, Charlene still suffers greatly from homesickness.

“I have the privilege of having this life, but I miss my family and my friends in South Africa because I cannot be there for them,” the royal told South Africa magazine Huisgenoot.

• By Kylie Walters

“Charlene is looking for a home” —SOURCE

Spanish news outlet ABC reported in July that Charlene and Albert are “on the verge of divorce”.

Despite her illness, Charlene continues to work with anti-poaching units helping to save rhinos in South Africa.

GRACE’S SHADOW Royal expert Phil Dampier has revealed that Albert was worried how Charlene would handle “inevitable comparisons” to his late mother Grace Kelly before they wed. “He was concerned that Charlene might not be able to cope,” he said. Albert visited Charlene with their twins in early June.

“Spending time with Jacqui and Bella,” Charlene captioned a series of images of herself on FaceTime with her kids on Jul. 10.

If split rumours are true, Charlene could be in for a hefty payday. Albert is reportedly worth over $1.5 billion.

Albert, who is currently in Japan at the Olympics, is believed to be planning another visit to South Africa to see Charlene soon.