CHARLENE RETURNS TO MONACO

MONACO’S ESTRANGED ROYAL COUPLE ARE BACK TOGETHER, BUT FOR HOW LONG?

She’s been separated from her family for months while recuperating in South Africa following surgery for a “sinus infection”, but Princess Charlene of Monaco is “delighted” to finally be back with her kids. The former Olympic swimmer, 43, was reunited with 6-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella when they visited their mum in her former homeland with their dad, Prince Albert, 63.

Following months of speculation about the state of her marriage to Albert, the princess tried to quell rumours by releasing a series of loved-up professional images from their reunion. But rather than squashing the gossip that the pair are on the verge of divorce, the strained snaps have left many believing a split is inevitable.

While Charlene beams as she warmly wraps her arms around her twins, she appears tense in her husband’s arms. Body

language expert Judi James told the MailOnline the clingy hug looks awkward and could be described as an “overkill” gesture, and that the couple show “no signs of connection”.

“Given the rumours of a possible split and worries about Charlene’s health it would be expected that when the couple did finally get together for a ‘reunion’ photo they would at the very least adopt a PR-prompted ‘denial’ pose that would suggest the marriage was very much on track,” James told the website. “This is Charlene reuniting with her two children but her husband Albert looks awkward and peripheral,” she explained.

Talk of divorce started in December after the prince was hit with a paternity suit alleging he had fathered a daughter – his third child outside of marriage – while he and Charlene were dating. After missing her flight back to Monaco following a conservation trip to South Africa in May, Charlene’s sinus infection story is starting to wear thin among the people of her husband’s principality. “The Palace has had to invoke a suffering princess so often that the Monegasques today find it hard to believe,” royal commentator Stéphane Bern revealed to Paris Match magazine. “By crying wolf, [Charlene] has discredited and isolated herself,” he added.

While the princess is reportedly quietly setting up her post-Albert life in South Africa, looking for a home and new business ventures, sources close to Charlene say she will eventually return to Monaco. In the event of a divorce, Albert would likely retain full custody of their kids. “She’ll never leave her kids,” a close friend of Charlene’s told WHO’s sister publication People magazine.

“Charlene’s eye expression suggests sadness,” James explained of the images.

Charlene was reportedly caught trying to flee her 2011 wedding three times after it was alleged Albert had cheated on her.

Charlene revealed her daughter had “cut” her own hair shortly before their reunion. “Sorry Bella, I tried my best to fix it,” she said.

Charlene underwent multiple procedures in South Africa to treat a severe infection, keeping her separated from her husband and twins in Monaco.

Charlene missed her and Albert’s 10th wedding anniversary on Jul. 1 while stuck in South Africa.