Behind Princess Charlene’s fairy tale life in Monaco: after marrying Prince Albert II, the former Olympic swimmer faced jealousy and isolation, often escaping to Grace Kelly’s Roc Agel retreat
- Princess Charlene underwent a style evolution after meeting Monaco’s reigning sovereign, going from swimsuit-wearing tomboy to Giorgio Armani ambassador and fashion icon
- To escape the public pressure, the princess often escapes to the countryside where she can enjoy simple things like gardening, hiking and feeding animals
Last year was one of the toughest periods in Princess Charlene of Monaco’s life. Not only was the royal severely ill, and separated from her family for months because she could not fly, her marriage was again in the spotlight, with speculation rife about her future in Monaco. Everything she does creates a headline.
Now, as the world awaits her return to public life, with the palace’s latest statement in December saying she was still recovering, without mentioning the details of her condition, a look back at the 43-year-old’s journey so far reveals much hardship and loneliness. Here’s how an ordinary girl made the brave move to become a princess and faced many challenges along the way.
A basic life, at first
In 2007 Charlene moved from South Africa to Monaco. Her prince had lured her to his country and made it clear he wanted her as his future princess. But first she had to get a taste for his home and that meant leaving everything she knew behind her.
Jealousy and isolation
When Charlene first moved to Monaco she did not exactly have the warmest reception. In 2011, the same year she married her prince, Charlene admitted that she had made no deep connections with people in her new home country. She said she had been “subject to jealously” but admitted that it “came with the territory”.
At the time she said there were only two people she considered her friends and she remained connected with her family. In an interview with Vogue, she described her entry into Monaco as “sometimes overwhelming” and said she tried hard to please people, at times losing her sense of self.