Princess Charlene of Monaco’s last public outing with Prince Albert was in January 2021. Now, more than a year later, speculation about her health and whereabouts continues to raise suspicion. Last year, she was grounded in South Africa after an apparent medical emergency which she said meant she could not fly because of possible health complications. When she returned home, the palace said she was admitted to a treatment facility as she required more care. As her absence continues to be felt, the palace has turned to a royal loyalist to fill in – Princess Caroline. Not new to the job, Caroline has been seen by her brother Prince Albert’s side at many official events which Charlene would have normally attended. Jealously, isolation, escape: behind Princess Charlene’s fairy tale Monaco life In January, she was at Albert’s side for the traditional boat burning ceremony which forms part of Saint Dévote’s Day. The event was also attended by Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, the relationship between the twins and their aunt believed to be growing stronger as their mum gets medical attention. Here’s why Caroline is stepping up and what else we know about her … Princess Cristina of Spain’s turbulent life, from divorce to losing a title The Grimaldi matriarch After Grace Kelly’s death in 1982, Caroline, who was just 25 years old at the time, was pushed into the position of the principality’s first lady. She was named president of the Princess Grace Foundation and became patron of several other charities. It was only in 2011, when Charlene Wittstock married Prince Albert, that Caroline was no longer considered first lady. The fashion icon The Grimaldi family have always been known for their fashion sense Princess Caroline is no different. When she was younger she was applauded for her bold fashion choices, often choosing couture over comfort. 7 things to know about Monaco’s ‘Pink Palace’, home of Princess Charlene Now in her mid-sixties, she has been lauded for embracing her grey locks and maintaining her designer wardrobe, just as her iconic mother had. She has been featured in several fashion magazines over the years. The banker In 1978, when Caroline was 21, she married French banker Philippe Junot. He was 17 years her senior and their wedding had plenty of big name guests, from Cary Grant to Frank Sinatra. They split just two years later. A year after Megxit, is Kate Middleton filling Prince Harry’s shoes? The Casiraghi love In December 1983, Princess Caroline married Italian industrial heir and sportsman Stefano Casiraghi. The wedding was only celebrated in a civil ceremony, since the Catholic Church deemed she was still married to Junot (it wasn’t until 1992 that she was granted an annulment). The couple had three children together. In 1990, Casiraghi died in a speedboat racing accident at the age of just 30. According to reports at the time, their marriage had brought joy back to the Grimaldi family after the 1982 death of Grace Kelly. Casiraghi’s funeral was held in Monaco’s Cathedral of St. Nicholas just eight years after Princess Grace’s funeral in the same place. Are Princess Charlene’s troubles all down to a Grimaldi family curse? Isolation After the death of her husband, Caroline and her three children moved to a small town in France where she could focus on healing her family. Privacy was important to Caroline and being in Monaco meant she was always under scrutiny. The prince In 1999, on her birthday, she married Prince Ernst August of Hanover. The couple have one child together. Although they are still married, they are separated and it has been widely reported that the pair have very little contact with each other. Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .