1. The return

A statement by the Palais Princier confirmed that Princess Charlene had returned from a Swiss clinic to be reunited with her husband and children in Monaco. The statement said Charlene still needs “peace and calm” and that she will reprise her public duties when she feels strong enough. It also said the decision for Charlene to return came after consultation with physicians in Switzerland where it was decided she was healthy enough to go home. The statement called for privacy and for the family environment to be respected.

2. The history

Mystery around her stay in South Africa prompted speculation around her marriage, with media reports positing that she remained in her home country as she did not want to return home to her husband. But other reports quoted a source saying Charlene’s condition had been underplayed and she had actually been severely ill during her stay.

When she first returned to Monaco, Prince Albert announced she had left again a few days later to seek treatment after it was evident she had not yet recovered. He said she was suffering from “exhaustion, both emotional and physical”. Prince Albert told People magazine it was Charlene who decided to go to a facility after she realised she needed rest. Charlene, who was visibly thinner, apparently because she could not eat much because of her surgeries, has not been seen publicly for months.

3. Why is this such a big deal?

Charlene’s return to Monaco signals the end of a 10-month ordeal. In May 2021, she was in South Africa for what was meant to be a 10-day trip and now, almost a year later, she has been finally reunited with her family.

Her return also coincides with an important milestone for her husband, Albert, who celebrated his birthday on March 14. During her time away she missed big family events like her tenth wedding anniversary, her children’s birthday and even her own birthday.

4. Questions remain

The 44-year old has been the subject of much scrutiny over the past 10 months. And while several reports indicate it was Charlene’s decision to seek medical help when returning from Monaco, her social media pages have remained mum at the time of writing.

She and her family’s silence has raised plenty of eyebrows, with many speculating about her happiness as a princess. In previous interviews, she spoke about how much she missed her original home and family and admitted to not making many friends in Monaco. In an interview in Vogue in 2011, she admitted that being Albert’s girlfriend was tough and said she tried hard to “please everyone” and “lost herself”.