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They’re stated to be tormented by a curse that declares “by no means will a Grimaldi discover true happiness in marriage”.
And over the a long time, Monaco’s royal household have endured a collection of scandals and tragedies that defy perception.
Catapulted to fame within the Fifties when Prince Rainier III married Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly, the Home of Grimaldi had been surprised when the Hollywood star tragically died in a automobile accident in 1982.
Practically 4 a long time later, it’s now the wedding of her son, Prince Albert II, to former South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock that’s grabbing headlines.
Recognized for his hedonistic years as a playboy prince within the Nineties, Albert, 63, has been compelled to confess he fathered two illegitimate kids and rumours of discontent have swirled across the ruling chief’s marriage.
With Princess Charlene, 43, now absent from Monaco for greater than 5 months amid mysterious well being issues, right here is how their romance has unfolded.
‘A number of individuals assume it’s an organized marriage’
Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock, as she was then identified, first met in 2000 shortly after the Olympic Video games in Sydney.
The proficient swimmer got here fifth in her occasion on the Video games, and adopted it up by successful the 200m backstroke at an occasion in Monaco.
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Albert himself is a sports activities fanatic and beforehand even took half on the Winter Olympics with the principality’s bob sled group.
It was at that competitors in 2006 that the couple made their first official look, with Charlene turning into a everlasting resident of Monaco the identical 12 months.
Even throughout their early relationship, rumours swirled about Albert’s earlier relationships and he was compelled to acknowledge the existence of two illegitimate kids.
After asking Charlene’s dad, Michael, for her hand in marriage, Albert proposed in June 2010 with a pear-cut engagement ring.
Forward of the wedding, nonetheless, it was speculated that the Olympian had bought chilly ft.
“A number of individuals bought the impression it was an organized marriage, it’s true,” historian and writer Philippe Delorme instructed the French journal Madame Figaro this month.
“Albert selected a spouse who resembled his mom, and Charlene clearly felt very unwell comfy on this Grace Kelly position they needed her to play.
“As Karl Marx put it: Historical past repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.”
In a lavish three-day occasion that kicked off on June 30, 2011, with a live performance by The Eagles, the coupled tied the knot.
Onlookers had been involved at footage of the bride in tears as her husband-to-be appeared on distantly, although Charlene later insisted she was simply emotional.

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Days after the marriage, French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche alleged that she had tried to flee thrice forward of the massive day – together with as soon as whereas attempting on her gown and a second time on the Monaco Grand Prix.
The explosive report quotes sources that confirmed an eventual “association was reached between the longer term bride and groom” – later stated to be that Charlene would supply Albert with a reliable inheritor earlier than being free to depart.
Palace officers denied the allegations of chilly ft, with a spokesperson telling Folks journal: “None of that is true, and we predict it comes from utter jealousy.”
Son of Grace Kelly rocked by love youngster claims
The couple now have two kids – twins Jacques and Gabriella, six – however their time collectively has been tormented by sensational claims about Albert’s different children.
In 2005, Albert confirmed he was the organic father of Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste, now 18, whose mom was Nicole Coste – a former flight attendant from Togo.
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The next 12 months, a DNA check confirmed he was additionally dad to Jazmin Grace, now 29 – the daughter of Tamara Rotolo, a US property agent he met within the south of France.
Neither youngster is within the line of succession to the Monaco throne as their mother and father by no means married.
Final 12 months, Albert was additionally confronted with a paternity go well with over a 3rd alleged love youngster with a Brazilian girl, who gave beginning to a daughter in 2005.
A supply instructed Mail On-line : “This was earlier than Charlene and Albert had been an merchandise, however the newest case covers a time when she was already in love with him.
“Charlene has had a horrible 12 months, with one household disaster after one other together with Albert happening with coronavirus, and now she’s gearing herself up for this hell.”
Earlier this month, Nicole Coste opened up about her son’s relationship with Albert.
Alexandre has been welcomed into the royal fold, showing at Monaco’s Rose Ball with the household and having fun with a lavish 18th birthday bash thrown by his dad.
“Albert made a dedication from the begin to be current, and to progressively carry his son into his household,” she instructed French journal Paris Match.
“In a short time, I used to be reassured when Princess Stephanie (Albert’s sister) grew to become Alexander’s godmother. Albert has honoured his promise: issues are constructing properly and operating their course, which I’m delighted with.”
Nonetheless, whereas insisting her son had a very good relationship along with his step siblings, the mum-of-three additionally hinted at tensions with Charlene.
“As for Charlene, this can be a topic that I can’t keep away from as a result of we are sometimes put in parallel. I do not like being in contrast. I by no means marketed myself as an enemy. I’m a mild girl,” she stated.
“Given our respective ties to the prince, we should always have made certain to assist one another cordially. In our scenario, diplomacy needed to prevail. However in the course of the engagement interval, I skilled issues that alerted and shocked me.
“For instance, she modified my son’s room, making the most of his father’s absence to maneuver him to the worker wing. As a mom, I can’t discover phrases to explain these actions.”
Concern for princess after months away from household
Final 12 months, Charlene debuted a dramatic half-shaven haircut, which has change into more and more shorter since.
Regardless of dividing royal followers again house, she insisted her household had been all supportive of her ‘half-hawk’ buzz lower – together with her husband as soon as the “shock wore off”.
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“Definitely, of all of the members of royal households, I am most likely the one who has tried essentially the most totally different hairstyles, and I will proceed,” she instructed French journal Level de Vue.
“The remarks of ‘However what’s she doing?’ and ‘But it surely’s not royal!’ – I do know these all too properly.
“And I’ve nothing to say to them, besides that we’re in 2021 and that in these instances that are so troubling, so troublesome, there are different, far more necessary topics which deserve our consideration.”
Since March, the princess has been in her native South Africa, sparking widespread hypothesis about her lengthy absence from her husband and youngsters.
The royal has stated she is being handled for an ear and throat an infection she contracted in Might, which has not allowed her to journey.
The keep has imply she missed key occasions together with her tenth wedding ceremony anniversary and her kids’s return to high school.
Final month, Albert and the kids flew out to South Africa to reunite with Charlene, however photos of the couple collectively “didn’t persuade the Monegasques [Monaco residents]”, insisted Madame Figaro.
Charlene has said she hoped to return to Monaco in October and earlier this month Albert insisted she was prepared to come back house.
“She did not go away Monaco in a huff!” he instructed Folks.
“She did not go away as a result of she was mad at me or at anyone else… She did not go into exile. It was completely only a medical downside which needed to be handled.’
Explaining that his spouse had deliberate to journey to South Africa to reassess her basis’s work, he admitted he “most likely ought to have addressed” rumours about their marriage sooner.
“After all it impacts her, in fact it impacts me,” he added. “Misreading occasions is at all times detrimental… We’re a straightforward goal, simply hit, as a result of we’re within the public eye quite a bit.”
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